Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment in Bahrain

1. Introduction

In May 2008 the United Nations Human Rights Council considered the human rights record of Bahrain through its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, and it is useful to briefly examine the submissions to and outcomes from that process. REDRESS, together with the World Organisation Against Torture and the National Committee of Martyrs and Victims of Torture submitted a Written Statement to the UPR,1 and this presentation follows from that Statement. It focuses on the Bahrain authorities’ failure to ensure that allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are fully investigated and perpetrators prosecuted, and to afford survivors of torture and their families a remedy and reparation for the harm suffered.

30 August 2008
MANAMA - A cultural society has filed a legal case against leading Shia scholars here for accusing its members of promoting the thoughts of a banned Islamic group that was formed in the eighties.

Al Safara was declared anti-Islamic movement by leading Shia figures, including Ayatollah Al Khomeini for its religious beliefs.

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Reforms 'vital for progress'
Published: 30th August 2008

Bahrain's private sector should be more adaptable to the increased competition and globalisation, says Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

He made the remark in an interview with John Defterios on CNN Market Place Middle East that was aired twice yesterday.

Philippines says militant leader arrested in Bahrain
Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:03am
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Learn to Trade with a FREE Guide.MANILA (Reuters) - A founder of an Islamic group blamed for the worst militant attack in the Philippines has been arrested while working at a Philippine embassy in the Middle East, officials said on Saturday.

Ruben Lavilla, also known as Sheik Omar Lavilla, was deported back to Manila on Saturday, more than a month after he was arrested in Bahrain. His arrest was not made public.

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No resistance to reform
Friday, August 29, 2008
Change is constant and must be tackled with right ambition, right energy to achieve success: CP

The following is the text of the interview Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave to John Defterios from CNN:

You always meet resistance to reform and there seems to be some hardliners within the government, that seem concerned that Shiites will be empowered economically as you go through this reform process. How do you counter resistance to the reforms that you’re trying to push through.

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Anti-corruption law is urged
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 29th August 2008

A CALL has gone out for the government to introduce a comprehensive law against corruption.

Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) president Abdulnabi Al Ekri said the measure would help change relaxed cultural attitudes towards the issue and in particular bribery.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/08/bahrain.html

When a secret report incriminating the Bahraini government leaked out to the media, newspapers were too worried to publish it. They turned, instead, to a young blogger to make the information public.

At 30, Ali Abdulemam, a computer engineer, runs Bahrainonline.org, which is considered the largest online town hall for Bahraini activists and bloggers.

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/12745

Sandeep Singh Grewal

Manama, Bahrain
Thu, 21 Aug 2008:

More than thousand Indian workers who lost their jobs after a garment factory was shut down here are now hopeful that their pending dues will be settled.

Light Style garment workers were out of jobs after the owners reportedly declared bankruptcy in May 2005. The textile workers were then assured by the nagement that all their dues would be settled after the machinery and other assets were sold.

From Suad Hamada

22 August 2008 Print E-mail
MANAMA - Expatriate workers are expected to form majority of members of the soon-to-be-formed National Trade Union for Construction Sector.

The first-of-its-kind trade union in Bahrain is part of a plan to give workers of all sectors voice and courage to defend their rights, the General Secretary of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) Salman Mahfood told Khaleej Times yesterday.

By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 21st August 2008

MANAMA: Around 150 workers were left homeless as a blaze gutted their three-storey quarters in Manama yesterday.

Dozens of people fled with their belongings as they were evacuated from two neighbouring buildings. The fire started at around 2.30pm at the building, near the Faraq Al Fadhel Ma'atam.

Most of the residents - Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers - were not in the accommodation when the fire started but some who were escaped with barely the clothes on their back.

By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 19th AUGUST 2008

BAHRAIN human rights activists have joined forces with their counterparts in the region to demand that Palestinian students trapped in Gaza be allowed to leave to resume their studies abroad.

Twenty-three rights groups, mostly from Egypt, have signed a petition calling on the Egyptian government to take measures that will facilitate the process.

They want the students to have immediate permission to pass through the Rafah boarder crossing to resume their studies in the universities they have enrolled in other countries.

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/10968

Sandeep Singh Grewal

Manama, Bahrain
Sun, 10 Aug 2008:

The Bahrain authorities are investigating the death of an Indian worker who was found lying near a car park of his office on Saturday.

Mathew K. Varghese had fallen from the fourth floor building in Hoora, sources said. Friends and family are still in a shock after the news of the death broke. The 27-yeaold was employed with an insurance company and had just got married six months back.

Dialogue 'is the best way forward'
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 11th August 2008

BAHRAIN must tackle the real issues behind unrest amongst the nation's youth, say community leaders and activists.

Their call follows the pardoning of 225 prisoners and meetings with community and religious leaders, during which the leadership called for an end to violence across the country.

Britain's Asylum, Foreign Policy Criticized By Bahraini Lawmaker
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August 4, 2008 6:15 p.m. EST

Sandeep Singh Grewal - AHN Middle East Correspondent
Manama, Bahrain (AHN) - Britain has been accused by a lawmaker here of double standards against Bahraini citizens and of sheltering groups which incite hatred against the country. Parliament member Shaikh Jassim Al Saidi lashed out at the British authorities regarding their foreign policy for Arab states and relaxed asylum procedures.

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UK denies 'political campaign' claim
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 5th August 2008

BRITISH officials have hit back at allegations that the UK is being used as a launch pad for a political campaign against the Bahrain government.

MP Jassim Al Saeedi claimed on Sunday that a number of Bahrainis in the UK had acquired British nationality and were waging a propaganda war to undermine the country's development.

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Rein UK based propagandists
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 4th August 2008

ALLEGATIONS that the UK is being used as a cauldron to stir up political strife in Bahrain have prompted MPs to seek a meeting with British Ambassador Jamie Bowden.

It comes less than two weeks after His Majesty King Hamad warned Bahraini societies, associations and individuals against forming external allegiances.

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No amnesty for five activists
Published: 4th August 2008

FIVE men jailed over clashes with police in Bahrain have been excluded from a royal amnesty for 225 prisoners, a security official said yesterday.

The July 30 amnesty covered six of 11 activists sentenced to jail terms of one to seven years for the clashes, Interior Ministry police media director Major Mohammed bin Daina said.