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Victims of torture march for the abrogation of decree 56 On Monday 15th September 2003, hundreds of former political detainees marched in the streets of the Diplomatic Area in Manama, the capital of Bahrain to voice their anger to the Arab Ministers of Justice convening at the Diplomat Hotel for a three day conference. The demonstrators started their march from Ras Ruman mosque and intended to stop at the Diplomat Hotel. But the riot police prevented the marchers from reaching the end point. The demonstrators had clear demands which they reiterated in the banners they raised. The basic and rightful demands are: To abrogate decree 56, which protects torturers and human rights violators, To bring those responsible for torture to a fair trial, To compensate the victims of torture for the ordeals they had been through during the rein of terror in the second half of the nineties, and To reform the judicial system. The torturers are now protected against any possible inquiry or conviction by a royal decree which confiscated the right of the victims to seek a judicial inquiry and a trial and gave the torturers the freedom to act as they wished in the country. The call of the victims of torture for the abrogation of the notorious royal decree number 56 marks the first step towards regaining their rights. The agony of the victims of torture and the families of those martyred during the pro-democracy demonstrations of the nineties is another major concern. The Government has taken no action to alleviate the consequences of such sufferings. Many have lost their jobs or economic interests as a result of either being detained or simply blacklisted after imprisonment. The loss of income to many families who lost their sons by gun shots or under severe torture in prisons also has not been looked into. The demonstrators raised banners asking for compensation for undergoing such difficult circumstances. It is surprising how a gathering of the Ministers Justice takes place only few hundred metres away form screams expressing anger at the great injustice that is being practiced in Bahrain. The Government of Bahrain has failed to recognize that the democracy it proclaims to have introduced hinges on justice and on lifting the agony of those who suffered for decades under the brutality of the regime. The Ministers of Justice and international dignitaries present in Bahrain should bear these facts in mind. While the Government of Bahrain refuses to listen to grievances of its people, responsibility rests on their shoulders to raise such issues with the Government of Bahrain and to convey the screams of those demonstrators to the rest of the world. Bahrain Freedom Movement

16 September 2003

The Gulf Cultural Club45 Chalton Street, London NW1 1HY, Tel: 020 7383 2058, Fax: 020 7387 6369Muslim and Western Perspectives two years after 11 SeptemberbyDr AbdelWahab El-Affendi and Dr David Hoile*6.30 pm, Thursday 11 September 2003Refreshments available from 6.00 pm, dinner 8.00 pm* Abdelwahab El-Affendi is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster and co-ordinator of the Centre’s Project on Democracy in the Muslim World. Educated at the Universities of Khartoum, Wales, and Reading, he is author of: Turabi’s Revolution: Islam and Power in Sudan (1991), Who Needs an Islamic State? (1991), Revolution and Political Reform in Sudan (1995), Rethinking Islam and Modernity (2001) and For a State of Peace: Conflict and the Future of Democracy in Sudan (2002). He has contributed to many leading journals.

* Dr David Hoile works in the politics industry, and holds a degree in politics and international studies from the University of Warwick. He has been a member of the Conservative Party since 1980 and has held national, regional and local office within the party. His publications include: Mozambique: A Nation in Crisis (1989), Understanding Sanctions (1988), Freedom and the Armed Struggle in Northern Ireland and South Africa: A Common Thread and Farce Majeure: the Clinton Administration’s Sudan Policy 1993-2000.

London seminar exposes cracks in al-Khalifa regime The al-Khalifa regime ruling over Bahrain has reacted angrily, if disorderly, to the opposition seminar held in London on August 22nd. The gathering brought together activists concerned with promoting democracy in Bahrain. They included Lord Avebury, the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, Hassan Mushaime’ of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and Ali Rabi’a of the National Democratic Action Society. Participants discussed topics of significance to everyday life in Bahrain notably the constitutional crisis and deliberate demographic change. The ruler, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, caused unprecedented political crisis in the country when in February 2002, he unilaterally enacted a new constitution. Bahrain’s original constitution dates back to 1973, which had emerged following the independence from Britain. Sheikh Hamad, who by then had declared himself king, lacked the mandate to impose a new document, developed secretly by foreign experts. Amongst its many shortcomings, the new “constitution” states that the national assembly consists of two chambers, with the appointed consultative or Shura council enjoying similar powers extended to the elected body. The October 2002 parliamentary elections failed to resolve the political problems, and if any, had only deepened the crisis. Additionally, the seminar discussed the implications of the on-going political naturalisation. It is believed that the authorities have undertaken serious steps to alter Bahrain’s demographic structure. Concerned Bahrainis have succeeded in producing a tape filmed in the Dammam area of Saudi Arabia for members of al-Dowaser tribe. The extraordinary film reveals that the government of Bahrain has been encouraging these Saudi nationals to apply for Bahraini citizenship. It is believed that over the last few years the authorities have naturlised thousands of people from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Pakistan. The opposition argues that a small country like Bahrain, with 716 square kilometer with an estimated population of 670,000 and a growth rate of 3 per cent per annum could not absorb additional incomers. The figure includes some 210,000 expatriates who are already working in Bahrain. Rather than responding directly to the charges, the government called on some of its mercenary writers to publish commentaries critical to the seminar. They criticised the opposition for holding the function in London, thereby rekindling memories of the colonial period. In fact, the blame should be fixed on the regime for regularly imposing roadblocks on opposition gatherings dealing with sensitive issues. For example, the six-group coalition was forced to hold its July 16th event concerning political naturalization in open air. The London’s seminar coincided with Bahrain’s independance, a worthy date in the country’s history. However, al-Khalifa regime refuses to celebrate the independence anniversary in mid August. Instead, Bahrain’s national day is celebrated on December 16th marking the date that the late Sheikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa assumed power in 1961 during the British rule. The government’s attitude to the event has demonstrated its intolerance to democratic practices. In short, the al-Khalifa regime must engage in real rather than pseudo democratic practices. Bahrain Freedom Movement

5 September 2003