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November 1996: ICRC inspects some prisons, Al-Khalifa creates more crises

1 November: Some ten thousand people turned to Friday prayer in Duraz grand mosque chanting pro-democracy slogans and calling for restoration of parliament, reversal of death sentences and the release of political prisoners and jailed leaders. The masses responded to a call by the opposition to commemorate the first anniversary of the 10-day hunger strike that was staged by Sheikh Al-Jamri and his colleagues. The gathering was surrounded by hundreds of riot police who pointed their machine guns at the crowd but refrained from shooting. The grand al-Sadiq mosque in Qafool remained under siege and no person was allowed to come near the area.

3 November: Sheikh Mohammed Mahdi Shams al-Din, the chairman of the Higher Islamic Shia Council in Lebanon, has appealed to the Amir of Bahrain to revoke recent death sentences passed on the three Bahraini citizens who were banned from having fair trails and were prevented from appealing their sentences. Sheik Shams al-Din appealed to the Amir not to ratify the sentences and to deal with the current situation in a wise way, so that things would not deteriorate further.Ibrahim, the son of Sheikh Shams al-Din also handed a letter to the Amir urging him to resort to political dialogue to exit the crisis.

3 November: A member of the ruling family presiding over a security court sentenced three citizens to three years (Khalil Mohammed Ali Akbar, 27, Abdul Hadi Ali Ahmad Abdulla, 28, Abbas Ali Rajab, 28) and one citizen (Mhammed Hassan Salman Al-Sari) to six months. The former were accused of clashing with the foreign security forces in Bilad al-Qadim and the fourth was accused of possessing political pamphlets. Ali Hassan Jawad, 16, Jannusan, was sentenced to six months and fine of BD200 ($520). A religious scholar from Abo-Quwwa, Sheikh Abdul Aziz was detained by security forces on 3 November following a speech he delivered in Momin Mosque in the capital Manama. The speech highlighted the constitutional aspects of the struggle and called for the release of jailed leaders who calmed down the situation last year.

4 November: Amnesty International issued an urgent appeal over the fate of three detained UAE nationals, Jasim Isa Al-Yassi, 25, Ahmed Abdullah Makki, 27 and his brother Yasir, 25, who are being held in incommunicado detention in Dubai. The three had been arrested in June along with a Bahraini national, Jaffar Sahwan, who was handed over to the Bahraini government shortly afterwards. “The exact reasons for their arrests are unknown, but Amnesty International is concerned that they may be prisoners of conscience, detained solely because of their relationship to Ja’far Hassan Sahwan”.

5 November: The Bahrain Freedom Movement, Popular Front in Bahrain and the National Liberation Front of Bahrain issued a joint statement stating “The popular protests against the arbitrary sentencing to death of three citizens continue at the same time when lawyers submitted all evidences proving the inadequacy of the trial and innocence of the accused… Our people are struggling for a just cause: the reinstatement of the constitution, the restoration of parliament, political openness, return of all forcible-exiles and release of all political prisoners”.

7 November: A shop caught fire during a clash in a suburb in the capital, Manama. Amnesty International (AI) issued an urgent action on 7 November calling for the release of Ishraq Habib, the 16-year old girl who was arrested in mid October in a dawn raid on her parent house in Mahooz. Following AI action, Ishraq’s mother was allowed to see her daughter for the first time. Ishraq had been physically ill-treated and tortured with clear signs of exhaustion.

9 November: More people were arbitrarily sentenced by Al-Khalifa judges. Bassel Kadhem Ahmed Abdul Redha, Manama, together with Issam Ahmed and Ghazi Mohammed; were sentenced to two years and a fine of BD16,000 ($41,345) each. The foreign minister decided to boycott a GCC meeting in Doha to prepare for the upcoming summit.

11 November: Fresh attacks were mounted by the foreign security forces on residential areas on the dawn of 11 November. The arbitrary attacks were part of the collective punishment programme adopted by the ruling family in its war against the people of Bahrain. At 4.00 am the undisciplined forces smashed windows of houses and cars and ransacked front gardens in Duraz. The preceding day witnessed renewed attacks on gatherings in religious assembly halls (matams) and mosques in Sitra, Sehla, Bani Jamra, Adhari and Duraz. Since the arrival of the ICRC, the foreign-staffed security forces have changed tactics. They have been implementing hatred-based punishment schemes on the spot. For example, they attacked Al-Anwari mosque in Daih on 11 November and ransacked its contents. They also raided assembly halls (matams) around the country and ordered congregations to switch-off microphones and interrupted traditional programmes. In Duraz, Sitra and Sanabis, members of the security forces were seen arresting citizens and releasing them at the same time. A 13-years old Ali Mohammed Ali Al-Ekri, who was sentenced last year to 10 years jailed but released following international intervention, is being targeted by the undisciplined security forces. Following a raid on his parent’s house, two of his brothers were taken hostages to force the child to hand himself to them. These attacks are fuelling more unrest. Sporadic clashes continued as a result with fires and explosions reported in the past three days affecting the Hyundai cars show room as well as places in Jidhafs, Sitra and other places.

12 November: A martial court sentenced a citizen for 8 years imprisonment following his detention by military police. Mr. Shawki Ahmad Rashdan Al-Doy, from Muharraq, Mr. Al-Doy works for the ministry of defence and comes from the Sunni community of Bahrain. The ministry of defence has its own intelligence department and courts system. It also has several prisons, one of them is believed to be underground in the military camps located in Al-Hamalah. On the other hand a security court sentenced the following citizens: Hussain Mansour, Dair, was sentenced to 18 months jail; Hussain Ahmed Naf’a, 16, Jannusan, was sentenced to six months and a fine BD 200 ($520); Hussain Mirza Hamza, 17, Jannusan, was sentenced to six months and a fine BD200 ($520).

13 November: While the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was conducting its initial inspection visits to Bahrain prisons, a young university student was admitted to hospital suffering from the aftermath of torture. The young person was arrested by the intelligence department three months ago. He has been reportedly suspended upside down for prolonged periods and indecently assaulted by officers under the command of the Director General of Public Security, Mr. Ian Henderson, the Scotsman who has been in charge of the intelligence department for the past thirty years. The details of the latest victim are as follows. Name: Hussain Isa Al-Jazeeri. Date of birth: 28 November 1977. Sex: Male. Personal Identity (CPR) Number: 771101554. Home address: 909 Road 2118, East Rifa’a 921, Bahrain. Home Telephone Number: (973) 779190. Nationality: Bahraini. Occupation: Student. Referred to Psychiatric Hospital by Police on 13 November 1996 at 13.00. Location: Psychiatric Department, Ward PG4, Ghazali Male Bed No. 5. Admitting Consultant: Sa’adi Fathi Al-Shami

14 November: The ruling Al-Khalifa family created a new political crisis by sending a high level delegation to Iraq as part of a developing adversary relationship with the Kuwaitis. A senior member of the ruling family (also a brother of the foreign minister), Slaman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, headed a group of businessmen to Iraq and met (14 November) with the Iraq Industry and Minerals Minister, Mr. Adnan Abdul Majid. The Iraqi News Agency reported that “Sheikh Salman stressed the Bahraini people’s support for their brethren in Iraq”. This move is similar to what the prime minister did in 1993 when he sent a birthday message to President Saddam Hussain. The Kuwaitis had then expressed concern that the monetary assistance given to Bahrain ended-up in “private funds”. The latest political adventure angered the Kuwaitis and an internal quarrel has developed with the ruling family circles. The information minister failed to diffuse the situation by stating to Asharq al-Awsat on 14 November “the names that were mentioned have nothing to do with the business community in Bahrain”. Another political crisis is increasingly boiling with Qatar following the repeated refusal of the government to attend GCC meetings. On 14 November the Amir visited the UAE to meet Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan al-Nahayan in a move to consolidate positions ahead of the forthcoming GCC summit. The opposition believes that the government should attend the summit and should stop weakening Bahrain’s positions by pursuing doomed policies on all fronts. At home, the people have again showed their strength and defiance on 14 November (at night) when more than ten thousand people participated in a mass procession in the capital, Manama. The security forces attempted to prevent the religious gathering in a main assembly hall (Matam Ibn-Sallooom) but the mass number forced them to retreat. The prime minister had in September forced one of Ibn-Salloom’s family to become a member of the powerless Shura Council in an attempt to divide the nation. The message from last night’s procession made it clear that the strength of the people is much greater than the security forces ever contemplated. On the other hand the security forces besieged Karbabad to prevent another procession from taking place, but failed to prevent the people from practicing their faith as they did for the last 1400 years under all types of rules and dynasties.

15 November: Representatives of the Committee for Popular Petition, Mr. Ali Rabea (ex-MP), Mr. Ahmad Al-Shamlan (lawyer), Saeed Al-Asbool (engineer) and Ibrahim Seyid Ali Kamal-u-Din (manager) requested an appointment with the Amir to submit the historic 1994 Petition that was signed by 25,000 citizens. The intelligence department responded instead of the palace by threatening the distinguished personalities that “they will not return home if they attempted to go to the palace of the Amir”. The signing of the petition in 1994 was the reason for the organized attacks by security forces against the residential areas. The regime miscalculated all their moves by igniting the longest uprising in Bahrain’s history. The government has committed all its aggressive resources in the last two years to prevent the submission of the petition. The opposition has always opted for peaceful approach, but the government has, nevertheless, continued its outdated crackdown policy.

16 November: the security forces besieged Demestan and intimidated its residents. The village mosque was ransacked and riot police were seen digging in several areas around the mosque. A main road near Sar Roundabout was blocked by a large group of children who picketed in the area to protest against the detention of many children who are known to be in a prison located near the Dry Dock in Hidd . The foreign forces attacked the children using batons. Following their cowardly attack and beating, they the children to sweep the road. A religious scholar, Sheikh Ali Al-Tayyar was summoned by the intelligence department and threatened of grave consequences if he continued to lead prayers in mosques around the country. Posters distribution and wall-writing have intensified all-over the country ahead of the second anniversary of the uprising on 5 December.

19 November: Ali Yousif Darwish was brought to Daih in a police jeep and paraded around houses and shops. This is a new method of intimidation that has angered the public and will only ensure that the struggle continues against huamn rights abusers. The security forces have been experimenting with new techniques in the presence of ICRC. The latter started inspecting prison cells.

23 November: The following three citizens were sentenced by a security court presided by an Al-Khalifa person charges of “belonging to an illegal group and distributing leaflets”: Mohammed Ibrahim Ahmad Al-Sheikh, 33, was sentenced for one year jail, Abdul Rasool Ibrahim Hassan Mubarak, 37, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, and Hassan Mansoor Al-Hayki was given 3 months sentence.

26 November: Three police jeeps and two civilian cars surrounded the house of Sheikh Ali Al-Tayyar, 33, in Abo-Quwa and ransacked its content. Sheikh Al-Tayyar was threatened by the security officer Adel Flaifel that he will be taken prisoner if he does not stop leading prayers. The honourable scholar ignored these cowardly threats and led the prayers in Karbabad mosque. After storming his house and that of his father, the scholar was taken prisoner and beaten severely with marks of torture on all his body. The torturer told him that because of ICRC he will be allowed to go home. On 27 November, he was taken for one day for another session of torture, without any interrogation

27 November: The foreign minister announced on 27 November that Bahrain will not attend the GCC summit in Doha, due on 7 December. On the same day the Gulf News Agency stated that “Staff Brig-Gen Sheikh Ahmad Bin Salman Al Khalifa, today attended the final stage of the live-ammunition tactical exercise” . Both the internal and external situations are being exacerbated by the ruling family.

28 November: Sheikh Isa Qassim, member of the dissolved parliament, issued a statement calling on the government to take courageous decisions to open up dialogue with the people, to release Sheikh Al-Jamri, his colleagues and all the prisoners, to allow forcible exiles to return home and to put an end to the arbitrary sentencing of citizens.

28 November: On the evening of 28 November, Samahij and Dair were besieged ahead of a gathering called for by the residents of Samahij to celebrate the birthday of Imam Ali, the cousin of Prophet Mohammed. The celebration is part of the local culture but the ruling family had ordered its foreign security forces to attack and intimidate the citizens. Sheikh Hussain Al-Sayem of Samahij was summoned earlier in the day and threatened by the torturing officers that he will be taken for torture sessions if he attends the celebration. Markh village was also besieged to prevent similar gathering from taking place.

29 November: The policy of the ruling family continues to drive business away from Bahrain. The month of November witnessed the departure of many firms including the Japanese National Oil Company, Midas Kapiti International, Spices Board of India and GBR Bank. Several airlines stopped their trips to Bahrain including Lufthansa, Air Brunei and Royal Air Maroc. Other companies refused to open up their new offices in Bahrain and moved to Dubai. These include Lloyd’s Finance, AP-Dow Jones, Thorn, VSL Group, CORE, and Scottish Providence. Several other business units left the country last October. =================================================================================

Outdated mentality exposed

As par of the misinformation campaign against the pro-democracy movement, the Bahraini Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar, sent a letter to the specialized magazine MERIP protesting against a report on Bahrain that described the situation in details. The Ambassador claimed that the ruling family discovered organizations aiming to topple its rule with an “Iranian backing”. The Al-Khalifa concentrates on mentioning “Iran” as much as they could to win sympathy in the United States for their war against the people of Bahrain. Joe Stork, the author of the report, replied in MERIP issue No 201, Vol 26 No. 4 (October-December 1996) saying: “Ambassador Abdul Ghaffar’s letter does not identify a single instance to support his complaint that my article was “full of misinformation and false accusations”. The problem, it seems, is that I do not accept the Bahraini government’s reduction of all opposition to an Iranian-sponsored “terrorist” plot. If his government has uncovered “a serious conspiracy” in the name of Hizb Allah – Bahrain, it has failed to provide any evidence. I did indeed suggest that readers should be skeptical of uncorroborated confessions secured from detainees held incommunicado for weeks and months with no access to legal counsel. The ambassador does not help his case by attributing virtually all of the unrest of the last s content. Sheikh Al-Tayyar was threatened by the security officer Adel Flaifel that he will be taken prisoner if he does not stop leading prayers. The honourable scholar ignored these cowardly threats and led the prayers in Karbabad mosque. After storming his house and that of his father, the scholar was taken prisoner and beaten severely with marks of torture on all his body. The torturer told him that because of ICRC he will be allowed to go home. On 27 November, he was taken for one day for another sessir jobs, persons who speak critically of conditions in Bahrain with Western media, and the government’s refusal to allow Human Rights Watch or other international human rights groups to conduct missions in the country, these persons were understandably reluctant to be cited by name”.