Bahrain Freedom Movement

Press Release: The Bahraini Authorities renewed the detention of activists; Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al-Sahlawi (dentist-35 years), Hussein Abdul Aziz Al Habashi (a private company-32 years old) for extra 15 days, reflecting a blatant defiance of all calls to calm the situation through release of activists and those of opposite opinion.

The Bahraini Public Prosecution accused the two activists of state security charges because of acqusitition publications downloaded from the internet, calling for boycotting election held on 25 ^th November 2006.

On November 16^th, 2006,  the State Security Authorities had  arbitrarily arrested the two activists in a public place – without judicial authorization, and accused them with two charges; the first is “possession and acquisition of publications without legitimate cause, including favouritism and promotion of the changing systems of the State through illegal means and without a legitimate reason”. The second charge is “possession and acquisition of publications,   without legitimate reason, containing false news and exciting rumors, and would cause disruption of public security, and damage public interest.

Several institutions, civic societies, known dignitaries, activists have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the two activists, without a positive response from the Authorities. The Committee of activists affirms that the implementation of arbitrary laws (The Penal, the Gatherings, the Press, Terrorism, etc.) to target activists and silencing people, as well as the use of the dependent judiciary to prevent the media coverage of Bandargate report or other issues of public affairs, will not deter people from expressing themselves peacefully. We call upon the Bahraini Authorities to reconsider the treatment with activists, public affairs issues and the opposition, as well as avoid pushing the country into unsecured situation where freedoms are violated.

The Bahraini Authorities, are therefore held responsible, and can provide solutions to this new and old crisis. We hope that it will be sorted out swift and quietly through the release of Mohamed and Hussein as well as emptying Bahraini prisons from political prisoners.

A committee has been recently formed of relatives of the detainees Mohamed & Hussein, working on their release. The new committee has called for a sit-in next Friday afternoon (December 8, 2006) in front of Giant Mall, in protest to the continued detention of these activists. The Committee of Activists call upon everyone to participate actively in this picketing, and highlight the injustice exerted upon Mohamed & Hussein as well as their legitimate right to express their opinion, as protected by international conventions.

Committee of Solidarity with Activists and Detainees of Conscience in Bahrain

  December 5, 2006