Protesters burn Bahrain police car

The Associated Press
Saturday, February 28, 2009
MANAMA, Bahrain: Bahrain's Interior Ministry says an unmarked police car has been attacked and burned by dozens of people wielding fire bombs.

There were no injuries, however, in Friday night's attack, the statement said.

Also on Friday police fired tear gas at worshippers attempting to pray outside a mosque linked with one of the detained leaders.

Arrests and accusations based on sectarianism
Closure of blogs, online forums and websites of Shiite villages and institutions
Encouraging preachers and writers who incite sectarian hatred against Shias and their beliefs

Bahrain: 27 February 2009

February 24, 2009

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.

New information:

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Prosecutors in row over confessions
Published: 24th February 2009

PROSECUTORS who published the alleged confessions of the terror suspects should be tried in a criminal court, defence lawyers argued yesterday.

They said the Public Prosecution committed a crime by taping and publishing the men's confessions during investigations.

The lawyers said those who issued the permission to publish the confessions in local newspapers and television should be tried as criminal suspects.

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21 plot suspects face terror trial
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 24th February 2009

TWENTY-ONE men appeared in court for the first time yesterday in connection with an alleged plot to carry out terrorist attacks during Bahrain's National Day celebrations. They are among 35 suspects, including 14 Bahrainis arrested when the suspected plot was first discovered last December.

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Relatives clash with riot police
Published: 24th February 2009

RELATIVES of the terror suspects clashed with riot police yesterday after they were banned from entering the courtroom.

The chaos erupted as the defendants' relatives protested outside the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry complex.

They were told to stand in front of a coffee shop in the Diplomatic Area, but were later told to move because they were creating chaos.

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:47:39 GMT
By Nabeel Rajab

Is there a Shiite-Sunni dispute in Bahrain?

Trial Begins for Members of Bahrain Shiite Opposition Group
Monday, February 23, 2009

Feb. 23: Bahraini riot police stand on guard, in the diplomatic quarter of Manama, Bahrain, Monday as the trial begins for three prominent Shiite activists and 32 others accused of promoting a coup and plotting terror attacks in the capital.
Feb. 23: Bahraini riot police stand on guard, in the diplomatic quarter of Manama, Bahrain, Monday as the trial begins for three prominent Shiite activists and 32 others accused of promoting a coup and plotting terror attacks in the capital.

A hunger strike by eight prominent figures in Bahrain, which started on February 13th, has attracted several thousands of supporters who visited the place where the strike is held in Nuwaidrat, a village South West of the capital Manama.

Bahrain: ARTICLE 19 concerned about the upcoming trial of Bahraini Activists

ARTICLE 19 has been following with concern the cases brought against three Bahraini activists in relation to their publishing activities and speeches about the political situation in Bahrain. Mr. Hasan Mushaima, Mohamed Habib Al-Muqdad and Dr Abdul-Jalil Alsingace are due to appear in court on Monday, February 23 2009, for charges related to violating anti-terrorism and criminal laws.

Human rights defender Abbass Omran brought to trial without investigation
The Prosecution faces one of the detainees with fabricated confessions taken from Omran
The Public Prosecution charges human rights defenders with serious accusations based on Terrorism Law
16 February 2009

Disabled rights activist Alsingace faces prosecution next February 23rd for charges punishable by life imprisonment for exercising right of freedom of expression and association

Alsingace was arrested from his residence at dawn, held in solitary confinement, interrogated and later banned from travel after release

19th February 2009

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Three hurt as relatives protest outside court
Published: 17th February 2009

THREE people were allegedly hit by rubber bullets as police clashed with relatives outside the trial. Relatives were banned from protesting outside the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry complex and the street in front of the complex was blocked.

All relatives were earlier ordered to stand outside the ministry complex because judges refused them entry into the High Criminal Court.

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Policeman 'inside jeep during attack'
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 17th February 2009

A POLICEMAN allegedly killed by a mob hurling Molotov cocktails was in his patrol jeep when his colleagues fired shots from inside, defence witnesses claimed in court yesterday. Nineteen Bahraini men are standing trial accused of murdering Pakistani policeman Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh, 24, when his patrol jeep was allegedly attacked in Karzakan, in April.

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Lawyers demand access to proof
Published: 17th February 2009

DEFENCE lawyers yesterday claimed they still hadn't had access to essential evidence after almost a year in trial.

They clashed with the High Criminal Court judge after he tried to adjourn the case for the submission of the final defence papers.

ARTICLE 19 has written to Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, asking him to ensure that women’s rights activist, Ghada Jamsheer, is protected from harassment and guaranteed her right to free expression.

Jamsheer is leader of the Women’s Petition Committee which works to protect women and advocate for improved women’s rights in the country’s sharia courts. She has been repeatedly harassed in the course of her work and has been effectively banned from the country’s media since 2007.

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Seven go on hunger strike
Published: 15th FEBRUARY 2009

SEVEN political activists have gone on hunger strike to demand the release of suspects arrested for allegedly planning to carry out a terrorist attack during Bahrain's National Day.

The news came as it emerged that a major demonstration involving four political societies was cancelled yesterday after organisers were denied permission to hold it.

Date: 12 February 2009
Source: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)

BEIRUT, February 2, 2009 (MENASSAT) - On January 14 this year, local newspapers in Bahrain made public a ministerial order by Bahrain’s new Minister of Media & Culture, Shiekha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa that called on telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to tighten their measures on preventing access to web sites previously banned by the ministry.

Feb 2009
Bahrain's fraught sectarian divide
Bahrain flag
As Bahrain prepares for the trial of alleged militant plotters, ISN Security Watch's Dominic Moran speaks to government opponents concerning recent unrest and sectarian relations.

By Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch

Sectarian violence has again flared in Bahrain following a wave of arrests associated with an alleged plot to attack national day celebrations.

Bahrain web crackdown triggers calls for reform
Mon Feb 9, 2009 11:44am EST
By Frederik Richter

MANAMA (Reuters) - A Bahraini crackdown on websites the government deems indecent or socially explosive has triggered calls for reforms by rights activists and bloggers, who say the ban tarnishes the kingdom's reputation for openness.

"Instead of tackling the social issues people discuss online, the government blocks websites. But that does not change the reality," said Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

Published on Front Line (http://www.frontlinedefenders.org)

Front Line is concerned following reports that human rights defenders, Mr Ali Hassan Salman and Mr Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim, were arbitrarily arrested on 4 February 2009. Both human rights defenders have worked for the Committee of Activists and Prisoners of Conscience since December 2007 and have helped to organise peaceful marches and protests for the rights of detainees. During an Amnesty International visit to Bahrain in 2008, Ali Hassan Salman and Jafaar Kadhim Ebrahim coordinated meetings between families of detainees and Amnesty International.

ARTICLE 19 Condemns the Targeting of Human Rights Activists and Calls for the Reform of Laws Aimed at Silencing Dissenting Voice
9 February 2009

On 26 January 2009, three prominent Bahraini human rights activists Mr Hasan Mushaima, Secretary General of the Movement of Civil Liberties and Democracy (HAQ); Mr Mohamed Habib Al-Muqdad, a scholar and social activist; and Dr Abdul-Jalil Alsingace, Head of Human Rights Unit at HAQ, were arrested. Following almost nine hours of interrogation, Mr Mushaima and Mr Al-Muqdad were held in custody for further interrogation, while Dr Alsingace was released on bail and officially banned from travel out of Bahrain. The Public Prosecutor declared that he would take the necessary measures to pursue cases against them in the courts and prosecute them on charges related to the national security of Bahrain.

Abdulhadi Alkhawaja faces 10 years imprisonment for delivering a speech

February 9, 2009

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is highly alerted after learning of a travel ban against its former president Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, and the unjustifiable charges and unfair trial against him for delivering a speech highlighting human rights issues and expressing his opinion on the political situation in Bahrain.

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Husband's arrest sparks protest
By BASMA MOHAMMED
Published: 9th February 2009

RIGHTS activists have accused Bahrain of flouting international laws on the rights of suspected criminals - saying many disappear for days before their families know what has happened to them.

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Activist skips court hearing
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 9th February 2009

A POLITICAL activist accused of inciting hatred against the government failed to appear in court yesterday to enter a plea.

Former president of the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, is standing trial for allegedly defaming the government and spreading rumours jeopardising public security.

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Online petition against censorship
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 9th February 2009

A BAHRAINI blogger has spearheaded the launch of a petition against Internet censorship following a ministerial order to block pornographic and unauthorised websites.

A total of 150 people from Bahrain and other countries have signed the on-line petition since it was initiated last Thursday and more are adding to it every hour, said its creator Eyad Ebrahim.

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Internet cafes hit by clamp
By DANIEL MUNDEN
Published: 9th February 2009

SOME of Bahrain's Internet cafes claim business has been hit by government censorship.However, other cafژ owners and some members of the public said they were actually in favour of the government's web clamp - which covers sites featuring pornographic material, gambling, religious and political views and even the UK's National Lottery site.

Bahrain
February 6, 2009
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.

New information:

Alert PRINT PAGE
JOINT ACTION: Twenty IFEX members around the globe denounce jailing of activists for expressing their views

(BCHR/IFEX) - The following is a joint action by 20 IFEX members:

Publié sur France 24 (http://www.france24.com/fr)
Les manifestants accusent l'État de favoriser les sunnites
Par Alaa AL-HATHLOUL (texte)
Créé 06/02/2009 - 21:01

Contenu
Le Bahreïn est confronté à des mobilisations sociales depuis deux semaines. La plus importante manifestation a eu lieu le 31 janvier. Les Bahreïnis sont descendus nombreux dans la rue pour contester la politique de naturalisation massive menée par l’Etat. Par des banderoles de couleur rouge, à l’instar de celle du drapeau national, ils ont dit "non à la naturalisation".

Les manifestants accusent l'État de favoriser les sunnites
Par Alaa AL-HATHLOUL (texte)
Créé 06/02/2009 - 21:01
http://www.france24.com:80/fr/20090206-Bahrein-modification-chiite-sunnite-naturalisation-manifestation
Contenu

Issued by: the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, January 2009

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Crisis buffer cash 'being misused'
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 5th February 2009

BAHRAIN has squandered millions of dinars which could have been used as a buffer against the impact of the global credit crunch, says a key political activist.The government should have a surplus of around BD2 billion because of inflated oil prices before the crisis, but instead is BD400m in deficit, said National Democratic Action Society secretary-general Ebrahim Sharif Al Sayed.

URGENT ALERT: Bahrain – Haq Movement representative Dr Abdul Jalil Al-Singace arrested

27 January 2009
Islamic Human Rights Commission

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Family alleges assault
Published: 4th February 2009

A MAN arrested on Sunday is allegedly being treated at the BDF Hospital for injuries he suffered while in police custody, according to Bahrain Human Rights Society general secretary Dr Abdulla Al Deerazi.

He claimed Abbas Ahmed Khamis, from Nuwaidrat, was in a critical condition, but his family were still being denied access to him.

Dr Al Deerazi said the family believed police assaulted Mr Khamis after his arrest.

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Probe jail claims call by activists
By BASMA MOHAMMED
Published: 4th February 2009

HUMAN rights activists are demanding an independent investigation into allegations of abuse at a Bahrain prison, which is said to have prompted inmates to riot on Sunday.

The GDN reported on Monday that there had been a disturbance at the Dry Dock Detention Centre.

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Arsonists jailed for five years
By NOOR TOORANI
Published: 4th February 2009

FIVE arsonists who firebombed a car with an exploding gas cylinder were each jailed for five years yesterday.

The Bahrainis, who targeted the Indian man's Mitsubishi Lancer with a bomb last April, were convicted of arson by the High Criminal Court.

They smashed Mohammed K Emamudeen's car window, put the cylinder inside and doused it with fuel, then set it alight, outside his home in Ma'ameer.

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UN treaties 'breached'
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 4th February 2009

BAHRAIN may have breached United Nations treaties on human rights, by blocking access to certain political websites and Internet discussion forums.

The decision appears to defy the Universal Declaration of Human Rights conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the country has signed up to, according to Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) president Abdulnabi Al Ekri.

Posted on 2009/02/03
Human rights defenders in Bahrain are facing increasing restrictions on their activities. The authorities have sought to target independent human rights organisations including the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and restrict human rights activities. Human Rights defenders have been subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, fabricated judicial proceedings, threats and harassment.

Further Information

Authorities Wage Offensive and Derogatory Measures Against Shia Citizens
Hindering Religious Practices
Stigmatization of Shia in Friday Sermons and TV-broadcasted Preaching

January 15, 2009

Jasim Al-Saeedi's name was mentioned in what was locally dubbed "Al-Bandergate", a secret organization managed and financed by the Royal Court, having executive programs aiming at disfranchising Shia, marginalizing them in all aspect of life, coordinating the political naturalization to convert them into minority citizen by 2010, suppressing and controlling their religious centers and societal organizations, as well as introducing sectarian sedition and fomenting segregation between Shia and Sunni citizens.

Riots erupt after arrest of Bahraini Shiites
3 days ago

MANAMA (AFP) — Clashes erupted in a Bahrain village on Wednesday between local security forces and demonstrators protesting at the detention of Shiite opposition activists on terrorism charges, witnesses said.

Security forces used tear gas to try to break up the demonstration in Al-Darraz, a village west of the capital Manama, during the second night of protests in Bahrain.

Police in Bahrain clash with protesters
By REEM KHALIFA – 1 day ago

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Riot police in the capital of Bahrain used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters angry with perceived government discrimination against the Shiite majority.

Friday's clash came after a peaceful demonstration earlier in the day by a crowd of about 12,000 Bahrainis, said Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Mohamad Bin Dina.

After the demonstration ended, hundreds of protesters, many wearing masks, set tires on fire and blocked streets in one neighborhood.

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Amnesty plea to probe jail claims
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 1st February 2008

AMNESTY International (AI) is demanding an independent investigation into claims that 14 men arrested last month for allegedly plotting to bomb targets in Manama have been mistreated in police custody.

In a letter to Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the organisation called for an immediate probe and for anyone found guilty to be brought to justice.