Date: 30 December 2008
(BCHR/IFEX) - The http://bahrainonline.org and http://shaheed-bh.org websites are well known state-targeted public forums in Bahrain. Recently, for more than the tenth time since their launch, the authorities have prevented direct access to these public sites inside Bahrain. The administration teams of the websites have had to resort to providing different addresses for the public to access the sites.

Bahrain TV airs terror plot confessions

By REEM KHALIFA

updated 4:37 p.m. ET Dec. 28, 2008
MANAMA, Bahrain - Bahraini state television on Sunday aired confessions from six of the 14 men arrested for plotting attacks on the tiny Gulf island's capital.

During the 40-minute program, the six men calmly explained how they were taught by a Syrian and an Iraqi how to build bombs in a remote Syrian farmhouse.

The tiny oil-refining and banking Gulf island is a close U.S. ally and also hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Riot five lose prison appeal
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 29th DECEMBER 2008

LAWYERS yesterday pledged to take the case of five men jailed for rioting to Bahrain's highest court, after they lost their appeal conviction.

The defence team appeared before the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court yesterday, without their clients, seeking to overturn convictions handed down by the High Criminal Court in July.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 admit terror plot
Published: 29th DECEMBER 2008

MANAMA: Fourteen men arrested for plotting terror attacks during National and Accession Day celebrations confessed on a special programme on Bahrain TV last night. The suspects confessed and described details of their plans and previous involvement in illegal acts.

According to their confessions, they were previously arrested for charges including unrest, sabotage, arson and drug cases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conviction stands
Published: 29th DECEMBER 2008

TWO teenagers convicted of hurling a Molotov cocktail at a police station yesterday lost an appeal to reduce their sentences.

The Bahrainis, aged 17 and 19, were convicted by the High Criminal Court, which jailed each of them for six months.

They lodged an appeal to reduce their sentence, which was rejected by the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OUTLAW TERROR!
Published: 29th DECEMBER 2008

MANAMA: Diplomatic and security co-ordination is to be stepped up to ensure other countries' territories are not used to harbour terror plots against Bahrain.

The move was unveiled as Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday.

Bahrain terror plot suspects trained in Syria: minister
20 hours ago

MANAMA (AFP) — Men arrested this month on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks in Bahrain learned bomb-making in Syria last summer from two Bahrainis living in Britain, the interior minister said on Saturday.

"The suspects went to Syria with a group of (Shiite) pilgrims during the summer, pretending to want to visit holy sites," Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said at a news conference.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gang trained in Syria
Published: 28th DECEMBER 2008

Men arrested this month on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks during National Day holidays learned bomb-making in Syria last summer from two Bahrainis living in Britain, it was revealed yesterday.

Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said the two Bahrainis living in London are believed to be the cell's leaders who guided and led the plot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TERROR PLOT 14 HELD
Published: 28th DECEMBER 2008

MANAMA: Bahrain's Interior Minister said 14 people have been arrested for plotting attacks during National Day holidays.

Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said those arrested received training in Syria on using weapons and making explosives.

Amidst security and political tensions, Authorities assert discovering another terrorist cell.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its deep concerns about the deteriorating local security status due to excessive use of force, mass arrests of activists and demonstrators, and dawn raids to several Shiite villages using heavy armed foreign forces.

Democracy Index
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More terror suspects held
Published: 23rd December 2008

MANAMA: Three more people suspected of plotting to carry out terror bombings during National Day and Accession Day celebrations have been placed in custody for 15 days.

"They have admitted, in the presence of their lawyers, to planning to manufacture explosives and Molotov cocktails," a General Prosecution spokesman said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEMOS CLAMP
Published: 22 December 2008

MANAMA: Organisers of demonstrations which turn violent will be held accountable from now on. The Interior Ministry was yesterday instructed to draft a law amending articles 2 and 13 of legal provisions governing meetings, rallies and demonstrations.

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace ordered co-ordination with the Legal Affairs Directorate.

Witnesses: Police disperse Bahrain protest
By REEM KHALIFA – 5 hours ago
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Witnesses say Bahraini security troops have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protesters demanding Arab governments take action to end the closure of the Gaza Strip.

The witnesses say a number of people, including women and children, were wounded by rubber bullets and others overcome by gas. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals by authorities and could not give exact numbers.

Bahrain seminar, 11.00 Thursday December 18, Moses Room

This week Bahrain was hosting a regional security summit, and the Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, a close relative of the King like most leading members of the government, gave the keynote speech. He had the nerve to say that in Bahrain “individual rights are protected, and ….the fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law, and economic freedom prevail”. As we have noted on previous occasions, one of the principles of democracy is that the people have the right to change the government through the ballot box, whereas in Bahrain, the electorate has no right or power to dislodge the ruling family. The Prime Minister, the king’s uncle, has held office as Prime Minister for 38 years, a world record. The king himself appoints all the Ministers, under a constitution that preserves the hereditary dictatorship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bahrain holds two terror plot suspects
Published: 19th December 2008

TWO men have been accused of threatening national security after being arrested for an alleged plot to carry out a terrorist attack during Bahrain's National Day celebrations.

The suspects, both in their 20s, came from the villages of Sanabis and Daih, according to lawyer Moha-mmed Al Jishi.

"The General Prosecution questioned my clients and accused them of tampering with national security," he said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TERROR PLOT IS FOILED
Published: 18th DECEMBER 2008

MANAMA: A terrorist bombing attack, aimed at disrupting National Day and Accession Day celebrations, has been foiled.

A group of suspects has been arrested, national security sources announced last night.

The group planned to detonate homemade explosives containing iron pellets aimed at causing maximum damage to people and property.

Bahrain 'foils terrorist attack'

Celebrations to mark the king's coronation were held this week
Several people allegedly planning to detonate homemade bombs during Bahrain's national celebrations have been arrested, security officials say.

According to media reports from the Gulf state, the attacks were planned to take place on the anniversary of the king's coronation.

It is not clear how many people were arrested in Tuesday's operation.

The bombs would have contained "large amounts of small iron balls", said a statement quoted by AFP news agency.

15 arrested in Bahrain over 'terror plot'
CNN) -- Fifteen people were arrested in Bahrain on Wednesday for what government officials said was a plot to detonate explosives during a series of Shia Muslim observances.

The group planned to explode canisters filled with flammable liquid and iron balls during Shia observances of a pair of national celebrations this week, national security officials said in a written statement.

Due to his Participation in a Human Rights Symposium in the British House of Lords:

The British Embassy in Bahrain prevents a human rights activist from getting a visa

Manama, Oslo – 17 December 2008

MANAMA, Bahrain: Bahrain's security force says it arrested a group of people planning to use a homemade bomb in a terrorist attack during celebrations to mark the anniversary of the king's coronation.

The Persian Gulf country's official news agency quoted an unidentified security official as saying the group arrested Tuesday had planned to use a bomb containing metal shards to inflict more damage. The report did not say how many were arrested.

Bahrain arrests group suspected of planning attack
1 hour ago

MANAMA (AFP) — Several members of a group planning a terrorist attack in the Gulf state of Bahrain have been arrested, the state security authority said in a statement on Wednesday.

"A group of people were arrested early Tuesday," the statement said.

"They were planning to detonate locally-made explosives containing flammable materials and large amounts of small iron balls," it said, in an attack timed to coincide with Bahrain's national day celebrations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prisoners 'ignored by lazy authorities'
By rasha al qahtani
Published: 16th December 2008

A PRESSURE group says it has lost patience with the government for its "laziness" and "neglect" in trying to free four Bahrainis arrested by Saudi police.

The National Justice Movement, also known as Al Adala, has been spearheading efforts to release former Guantanamo Bay detainee Abdulla Majid Al Nuaimi, Hassan Yabis, Khalil Janahi and Abdulraheem Al Murbati.

Using tear gas, rubber bullets and all means of force, Bahraini Special Forces (BSF) fiercely attacked the residents of village of Sanabis in an attempt to suppress a demonstration started from within the village after being banned from being launched from its declared position. The sponsoring group of the event composed of fourteen well known scholars, political, human rights activists publically called for a peaceful demonstration to be held last Friday. The demonstration is to call for cleansing the Bahraini prisons from all political and human rights defenders.

BAHRAIN: Journalist prosecuted for alleged sedition, slander, false reporting

Posted December 10th, 2008

MANAMA, December 9, 2008 (BCHR/IFEX) — The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has learned that Maryam Al-Shoroogi, a journalist and writer from Alwasat newspaper, was summoned on 1 December 2008 by the Public Prosecution (PP) Office on charges of publishing an article which harms unity and introduces discrimination sedition between citizens in Bahrain.

Urgency: Threat
(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has learned that Maryam Al-Shoroogi, a journalist and writer from "Alwasat" newspaper, was summoned on 1 December 2008 by the Public Prosecution (PP) Office on charges of publishing an article which harms unity and introduces discrimination sedition between citizens in Bahrain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detained Bahraini traced to UAE jail
By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 10th December 2008

A BAHRAINI detained in Saudi without trial for more than a year over alleged terror charges, has been located after being reportedly missing when he was transferred to a prison in Dubai last month, it emerged yesterday. Khalil Janahi, who was arrested in Riyadh in April last year and also has UAE citizenship, contacted his family in Bahrain on Monday from a UAE prison.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RIGHTS VOW
Published: 9th December 2008

MANAMA: Bahrain yesterday stressed its firm commitment to international human rights covenants.

"We are proud of our human rights record, which reflects the government's keenness to abide by international treaties," Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said.

He was making his address as Bahrain joins nations in marking the 60th anniversary tomorrow of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activists rally for release of Bahrainis
Published: 8th December 2008

RIGHTS activists held a protest at the King Fahad Causeway yesterday demanding the release of four Bahrainis arrested by Saudi police.

The men are understood to have been detained for alleged terrorist links, but campaigners here claim they are innocent.

They include former Guantanamo Bay detainee Abdulla Majid Al Nuaimi and Hassan Yabis, who were arrested on the causeway in October and August respectively.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Free detainees' rally at causeway
By rasha al qahtani
Published: 7th December 2008

ACTIVISTS are planning to protest at the King Fahad Causeway today demanding the release of four Bahrainis arrested by Saudi police.

The men are understood to have been detained for allegedly having terrorist links, but campaigners here claim they are innocent.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rights row over Saudi detainee
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 29th November 2008

SAUDI Arabia has been accused of breaching UN laws on human rights over its treatment of a Bahraini currently in police custody there. Former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Abdulla Majid Al Nuaimi, 27, was arrested at a checkpoint on the King Fahad Causeway on October 29.

The father-of-two has been held at an unknown location ever since.

Group turning to United Nations for help in Saudi detention case
Mazen Mahdi, Foreign Correspondent

Last Updated: November 29. 2008 10:40PM UAE / November 29. 2008 6:40PM GMT MANAMA // A Bahraini opposition group said it will turn to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to seek assistance in securing the release of three Bahraini nationals being held in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of having terrorist links.

Petition of Activists and Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain
Filed under: Civil Rights, Other Countries — by Jane Novak at 9:06 am on Friday, December 5, 2008

We, the undersigned, are activists and human rights defenders, who, individually and in association with others, strive for the protection and realization of fundamental freedoms as well as the economical, social, cultural, civil and political rights in Bahrain and abroad.

December 05, 2008
Petition of Activists and Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain
We, the undersigned, are activists and human rights defenders, who, individually and in association with others, strive for the protection and realization of fundamental freedoms as well as the economical, social, cultural, civil and political rights in Bahrain and abroad.... We, thus:

Friday, December 5, 2008
We, the undersigned, are activists and human rights defenders, who, individually and in association with others, strive for the protection and realization of fundamental freedoms as well as the economical, social, cultural, civil and political rights in Bahrain and abroad.

Bahrain Dismisses SMS Warning as Baseless
Our Correspondent

5 December 2008
MANAMA — The ministry of interior has dismissed as baseless a mobile SMS message being circulated in Bahrain asking people to avoid visiting certain places in the kingdom in the next three days.

The areas included shopping malls and villages that are crowded with people, especially during holidays.
Deputy Chief of Public Security Brigadier Tariq Bin Daina in a statement on Wednesday rejected the credibility of the message being circulated in Bahrain mainly among Americans.

Bahrain’s human rights protests increase
Muna Abbas Fadl, a Bahraini researcher, wrote in Lebanon’s independent pro-opposition Al Akhbar that Bahrain is witnessing forums, sit-ins and human rights protests to secure the release of detainees, urge the government to create more jobs and to solve the housing problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Human rights vow by Bahrain
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 5th DECEMBER 2008

BAHRAIN affirmed its commitment to and respect for the UN Declaration of Human Rights and its efforts towards its implementation yesterday.

The country, under the guidance of its leadership, will continue in its path to respect human rights in line with its constitution, legislation and political will, said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

Front Line is concerned following reports received of a travel ban imposed on human rights defender, Abdulghani Al-Khanjar who was refused entry to Qatar at Doha Airport on 2 December 2008.

Further Information

Coalition Equality Without Reservation
Bahrain Women Union
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Bahrain Human Rights Society
International Federation for Human Rights

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press release

Bahrain: Urgent measures required to combat discrimination against women

Mazen Mahdi, Foreign Correspondent

Last Updated: November 29. 2008 10:40PM UAE / November 29. 2008 6:40PM GMT MANAMA // A Bahraini opposition group said it will turn to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to seek assistance in securing the release of three Bahraini nationals being held in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of having terrorist links.

Local Authorities tailor human rights organizations visits to extract false statements about freedom of expression in Bahrain

The sources of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) affirmed a funded scheme of inviting some of the regional and international human rights organizations to meet with Bahraini officials and extract statements from them which are used to polish the image of freedom of expression and press in the country.