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March 1996: The Ruling Al-Khalifa Family murders Isa Qambar and threatens to “wipe out villages”!

1 March: The Bahraini security forces attacked the small village of Abo-Gowa, 5 km west of the capital Manamaat 8.30 pm local time. The siege by 400 fully-armed riot police continued until 3.00 am of Saturday, 2 March. House-to-house breaking-in took place and many young people were arbitrarily detained. Screams of women were heard as the undisciplined forces attacked houses and started beating people indiscriminately. This latest attack comes as part of a series of attacks on residential areas implementing the policy of “preventative measures” referred to by the prime minister in his recent statements on the events. Other areas that were attacked in the past few days include Dair, Daih, Sanabis, Duraz, Bani Jamra, Jonnossan, Karzakkan, Malkeya, Sitra, Marwazan, Arad, Demestan and Samahij.

At midnight of 3 March, the undisciplined and forces mounted a vicious attack on the village of Demestan (south-west of Bahrain). Families were attacked and many youths were snatched. Later, a similar attack was mounted against Karbabad village and clashes resulted in many people arrested.

3 March: The Bahraini crown prince, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa arrived, Sunday 3 March, in London starting a tour that took him to Washington and back to London. US circles advised him to resort to dialogue. Lord Avebury propsed an initiative to resolve the crisis but the crown prince refused.

At evening (5 March) Sanabis, 5 km west of Manama, was besieged and Budaya Highway was sealed-off in that area. Heavy clashes were reported, houses were raided and many were arrested. It was also reported that live ammunition was fired as well as rubber bullets and tear gas.

One of the leading lawyers, Mr. Abdulla Abdul Rahman Hashim, was summoned by the intelligence department at 12.00 am of 5 March. Mr. Hashim was accused of agitation and contacting outside organizations. The outside organization refers to the BBC Arabic Radio which interviewed Mr. Hashim on the political situation in Bahrain.

6 March: Several loud explosions, believed to be those of gas cylinders, were heard in Ma’amir area (Sitra) and around Manama. The students of Sehla Intermediate, Jedhafs Secondary, Sheikh Abdulaziz Secondary, Jaberya Secondary schools staged simultaneous demonstrations. Security forces continued raiding houses and amongst the twelve arrested on 6 March from Sanabis is Dr. Nabil Al-Sadadi, 38 years old. The authorities continued publishing statements ahead of the major US-Gulf business conference to be held on 10 March. The nervous security forces have been mounting security operations in Sanabis and Daih as these are the nearest areas to the conference venue. An explosion in Isa Town on Wednesday 6 March at 22.00 local time resulted in the death of one person and injury of two others, according to government’s sources. The explosion occurred at the automatic teller machine of a local bank. The explosion in the National Bank of Bahrain is still a mystery. The person who was killed is Mohammed Hassan Taher Samih from Iskan-Jedhafs (new residential area of Jedhafs). Two persons were also injured one of them is serious. The injured are Mohammed Al-Mukhtar and Aqeel Naji, both from Iskan-Jedhafs. On Tuesday night (5 March) riot police attacked Iskan-Jedhafs and arrested several people.

9 March:Students in several schools marched in protest against the mass jailing of innocent peaceful people and the intimidation of residents by foreign-staffed security forces. Demonstrations re-surfaced in Jedhafs, Sanabis, Nuaim, Jabreyah, Sheikh Abdulla, Ahmad Al-Omran, Manama secondary (girls) and several other schools. Security forces stormed Jidhafs boys and girls schools and arrested many students. Similarly, riot police entered and attacked other schools to silence students. The notorious Khalid Al-Wazzan and his units attacked the small village of Jannossan again and arrested many people.

On 11 March, clashes erupted in Karzakkan Boys and Sar Girls schools. Other schools including Salmaniya, Nuaim, Jedhafs, Jaberya, Sheikh Abdulla, Ahmad Al-Omran, Duraz, have all witnessed clashes with riot police. Twelve boys from Jedhafs (maximum age of 13) were lined up before the wall and a policeman (working for the Bahrain security forces) was seen crushing their heads with the rough walls. Clashes were also reported on 12 March in Karzakkan, Iskan-Jedhafs, Qadam, Sar, Jannossan and Sanabis.

12 March: The family of the victim who the security forces claimed was killed in an explosion was denied the right to bury its son. A group of armed riot policemen buried the university student, Hassan Taher Sameeh, in the early hours of Tuesday 12 March in Hoora Cemetery far away from his residence in Iskan-Jedhafs. Crowds of people gathered around the house in anger, but security forces attacked and dispersed the gathering. A bus that was taking students of Bahrain University from Sakhir campus to Isa Town campus was stopped by members of the intelligence department and riot police who had established check-points around the campuses. Riot police savagely attacked the students (male and female) and a clash broke out spontaneously. Many students were injured and were left bleeding. Female students had their head-scarves removed and pulled from their hairs out of the bus. Many were arrested. One person from the attacking forces was also injured, and his case was broadcast by local media while ignoring those student left bleeding in and around the bus. Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Al-Talea newspaper reported on 12 March that thirty members of the ruling family from the lower ranks submitted a letter to the Amir and prime minister on 10 February requesting to equate them in the privileges and monthly payments granted to all members of the ruling family.

14 March: A restaurant in Sitra was mysteriously set ablaze in the early hours (5.00 am). Seven workers who were sleeping on the first floor above the restaurant died as a result of the blaze. This tragic event brought to light the vicious cycle of violence being fostered by the Bahraini government. In Sitra, more than 400 people were rounded up On Friday, the ediotorial of the semi-official paper Akhbar Al-Khalij implicitly called for the “erasing of villages”. Hence, Sitra people continued to suffer from the vicious and arbitrary attacks by riot police and black-uniformed special forces. On Saturday 16 March at 2.25 pm local time, Bahrain TV interrupted its programme to claim that the interior ministry had arrested some people and blamed them for the mysterious attack on a restaurant which was set ablaze on Thursday causing the tragic death of seven guest-workers who were sleeping on the first floor.

The Bahraini security forces attacked Daih, Sanabis and Jedhfs on Friday 15 March and sealed off the area as well as the main Budaya Highway. Demonstrators in Daih reached the main highway before the arrival of security forces. Door-to-door breaking-in operation was conducted and many people were arrested. Riot police clashed with demonstrators in A’ali and Hamad Town on Friday night (15 March). A’ali Sport Club was caught in fire and security forces sealed off the area. On 16 March, security forces besieged Bori village (south of Bahrain) and attacked a peaceful demonstration. Scores of youth were arrested The Cassation Court ruled in a session held on 17 March to uphold the death sentence against Isa Ahmad Hasan Qambar accused of causing the death of a member of the intelligence department on 22 March 1995 (a year ago) in Nuwaidrat. This is the only political case to be heard before a criminal court. All other political cases come under the State Security Court. Last year, the Criminal Court had passed the death sentence and the Supreme Civil Court of Appeal had endorsed it. The Cassation Court also upheld the life sentence against Mohammad Ali Khatim Al-Qadi who, five-year prison terms against Mansoor Makki, Yunis Salih Musa Al-Sanini, Ishaq Husain Yousuf Marhoon and Hamza Habib Al-Shaikh. The approval of the sentences is viewed as a message to the opposition and it comes a day after the haphazard accusation of seven people accused of setting fire to the restaurant in Sitra. The security authorities arbitrarily picked-up seven persons instead of its previous claim that five masked men threw petrol bombs.

On 18 March, students in Manama Secondary Girls School staged a protest denouncing the government and calling for restoration of parliament. The headmistress called in security forces and an officer by the name Khalil Al-Saati together with a group of riot police attacked the students with batons. Several students were injured and the ambulance was called in to take the injured to hospital. 60 students were dismissed. On the same day demonstrations were reported in Nuweidrat, Eker, and Hamad Town. Security forces attacked protesters deploying rubber bullets and tear gas.

A bomb exploded on Tuesday 19 March, 6.30 pm local time, at Baisan International Hotel in Qudeibeya district of Manama. The Associated Press reported that ((ten minutes after tonight’s explosion, a man telephoned The Associated Press and said in Arabic-accented English: “Listen. Fifteen kilograms. Bomb. Baisan Hotel”)). The bombing is the third of such attacks since last January when security forces launched a massive crackdown against the pro-democracy opposition.

The official Gulf News Agency reported (19 March) that “Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa met Defence Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa and exchanged views to increase joint coordination for the interest of the country”.

On 20 March, the interior ministry changed its mind regarding the number of people it had arrested in connection with the burning of restaurant in Sitra. Four people were haphazardly picked up from the 400 arrested in Sitra and all have been falsely accused of setting fire to Zaytun Restaurant in Sitrat Wadiyan on 13 March. The four are Ali Ahmad Abdullah al-Asfoor, 31, labourer; Ahmad Khalil Ibrahim al-Kattab, 30, labourer; Qumbur Khamis Ali Qumbur, 22, labourer; and Khalil Ibrahim Abdullah Khamis, 21, labourer.

The Amir issued two decrees on Wednesday (20 March) widening the powers of the State Security Court and empowering it to look into any case which the interior ministry officers may consider to be security-related. The decrees also make it easy of the unconstitutional State Security Court to rush the passing of tougher sentences (without any right of appeal for defendants). Mass demonstrations took to the streets on Wednesday night (20 March) and continued on Thursday 21 March, around the country in response to a call by the opposition. Demonstrators in Sanabis released balloons carrying slogans in support of the jailed leader Sheikh Abdul Amir Al-Jamri and blaming the security forces for committing arson against innocent nationals and residents of Bahrain. Helicopters were deployed to bring down the balloons. Semi-martial law was imposed on Sitra island on Thursday (21 March) preventing people from going out of their houses until mid-day. Demonstrators reaffirmed their peaceful approach and called for the restoration of the dissolved parliament and release of political prisoners. The Associated Press reported from Bahrain stating ((police sealed off several Shiite villages around Manama. In Sanabis, clusters of women hid behind walls, while men ran on the streets, apparently to avoid arrest in police raids. “There’s a raid. There’s a raid,” a terrified woman clad in a black, head-to-toe Islamic cloak shouted at a reporter. “Get out of here before you, too, are taken.” A dozen bonfires made of car tires, garbage cans and trash burned in Sanabis and the neighboring villages of Diraz and Bani Jamra)). At around 4.00 pm around 100-150 women gathered alongside the main Budayya Highway in front of Daih entrance raising slogans “We are not saboteurs, we demand restoration of constitution”. Half an hour later, security forces attacked the area and fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Security forces attacked young boys and girls in schools on 20 March and in Samhij Primary School a 9-year boy was injured by a fire bomb thrown into the school by agents of the intelligence department.

23 March: Bahraini schools witnessed a series of protests with absenteeism reaching a record high of around 90% in many places. In other schools, students attended only to stage protests and call for political reforms. On Saturday, 23 March, the students of Hamad Secondary Girls Schools staged a sit-in and raised slogans calling for restoration of parliament and release of political prisoners. Security forces attacked the protest and savagely beaten the girls. On the next day, the school erupted in protests and again clashes with security forces were reported. Similarly, in Isa Town Girls Schools, students staged a protest raising pro-democracy demands. Security forces attacked the students and many of them where unable to walk back home because of the severity of the beating. Two girls were arrested, one of them Zainab Seyed Ibrahim, 17, disappeared since then and no one could trace where she is detained.

26 March: The Bahraini security forces carried out the execution of Mr. Isa Ahmad Qambar in the early hours of Tuesday 26 March 1996. The execution is viewed as a political murder by the opposition since the trial sessions were politically motivated. The killing of Isa Qambar indicates how the Al-Khalifa ruling family intended to exacerbate the situation. Instead of listening to demands from international human rights organization for fair and just trial, they went ahead and approved a politically-motivated death sentence. Bahrain now faces a more bleak future. The call for democratic reforms would be strengthened as people will be seeking the implementation of justice on those security officers who murdered 14 people in the past year. For example, the murderer of Saeed Al-Eskafi, the 16-year old boy who was tortured and sexually abused to death last July, must stand trail in the name of justice and equality.

Many places erupted in anger including, for the first time Ghoreifa and Jufair, suburbs in Manama, where the US Fifth Fleet is located. Riot police attacked the area and smashed private cars and ransacked houses. Shops were closed, schools deserted and houses in uprising areas switched-off the lighting as a sign of mourning. The four main opposition groups issued a joint statement yesterday, 26 March, accusing the ruling family of exacerbating the situation and calling on the people to declare a week of mourning for the soul of Isa Qambar.

27 March: Three young people were brought before the state security court on 27 March, and sentenced in accordance with the recently issued decrees providing more arbitrary powers for the court. Adel Al-Tal, 23 years old from Tobli was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment and a fine of 32,000 dinars (about $80,000), Mr. Abbas Moftah, 27, from Tobli and Abbas Salim, 26, from Jed-Ali were sentenced to five years imprisonment. These arbitrary sentences had no legal back-up or justification. The trial was one of the fastest yet and it took the court less than an hour to rubber-stamp sentences. Lawyers were prevented from properly defending the accused and had not been allowed to meet with the defendants. (On 7 April, three person are to appear before the State Security Court: Hussain Al-Mahoozi, Ibrahim Al-Barbari, and Abdulamir Jaffer). On 27 March, at around 8:00 pm, demonstrators took to the street in the heart of Manama, in the area between Momin mosque and the Qalaa Police Fort. Riot police spread in the area, attacked the demonstration and established check points. Sanabis came under attack and residents were forced to stay inside. Most schools were empty today as students decided to go on strike. Karzakan has been besieged and no exit or entry was allowed. Tobli was also the scene of more clashes (from Tobli roundabout into Hujeer). Clashes in Duraz continued and roads are full of stones, rocks, sticks, etc. Similar protests continued in Bani Jamra, Jedhafs, Karranah and Sitra. Daih was also under attack and siege. Security forces attacked the small village of Shakhora and arrested 35 women with ages ranging from 10 to 55. Later they released 30 but kept five of them in detention.

The Bahraini opposition consolidated its peaceful and civil resistance following the ecution of Isa Qambar and wide-spread arrests of women and children. In Sitra, women and children marched on 30 March at 7.00 pm and clashed with security forces. Similarly in Isa Town demonstrators clashed with riot police ans scores wewre arrested. On 27 March several children were hit by rubber bullets in Sitra including Mohammed Redha Abdelhussain Ali, 11 yearrs old, and Hassan Makki, 11. Seven women were arrested in Shakhora: Zainab Saeed, 19, Nadeya Isa Ali Hassan, 16, Sakina Abdali, 24, Aminah Isa, 20, Ineesa Isa, 23, Reqeya Isa, 23, and Mona Um-Qassim, 30. Other women were also arrested from differen areas: Khadija Ahmad Ali, 16, Najah Saeed Sabt together with her sisters Kaltham, Reqeya and Mahdeya, Shahraban Ali Nasser, 55, Sawsan Ali Salman, 20, Khatton Saeed, 16, and her sister Rabab, 19, Fatima Seyed Jaffer, 19, and her sister Masooma, 15, Zainab Seyed Falah, 16, Kaltham Seyed Adnan, 16, Kholod Jawad Ali, 16, and Radheya Amhad Ali, 40.

On 29 March, security forces ransacked the village of Abo-Gowa again, smashing properties, steeling jeweleries, beating men, women and children on the spot. In Jufair and Ghureifa districts of Manama, as well as in Arad (Muharraq) demonstrations took for the streets. Duraz is put under siege from 4.00 pm onwards to prevent the daily demonstrations from reaching the main highway. Similar sieges are implemented on Nuweidrat and Karzakkan.

The government attempted to cover-up the bad environment it created for foreign investors. Everyday, newspapers report high profits and shares dealing in the market. In fact the market is suffering. In the Gold Market, betwee 10-12 shops are planning to close down. In Sheaik Abdulla Road, shops rents has come down to 200-250 dinars but businessmen are nbot willing to start new businesses.

The Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad visited Riyadh on 30 March and met with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan, following the Saudi statements on the need for reconcilliation in Bahrain. The Al-Khalifa ruling family has refused all calls for calming down the situation.

BAHRAIN – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNS FIRST EXECUTION IN NEARLY 20 YEARS

26 MARCH 1996

Amnesty International strongly condemns today’s execution of Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar — the first execution known to have been carried out Bahrain for nearly 20 years.

We are dismayed that this execution went ahead despite repeated appeals to Bahrain’s ruler not to carry out the death sentence,” Amnesty International said today. “We seriously fear that this will now pave the way for further death sentences and executions.”

Issa Ahmad Qambar was sentenced to death after a trial which ignored internationally accepted human rights standards requiring adequate legal assistance at all stages of the proceedings. He was denied access to a lawyer throughout his pre-trial detention and saw his lawyer for the first time only when he appeared in court for trial on charges of the murder of a police sergeant. Trial sessions were held in camera.

Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar was sentenced to death by the Bahraini High Criminal Court on 4 July 1995 after being convicted of the murder of Sergeant Major Ibrahim Rashed Abd al-Karim al-Sa’idi. His body was found knifed to death in the village of Nuwaidrat on 23 March 1995 in the wake of riots and clashes with security forces. The unrest begun in December 1994 with mass demonstrations for more civil and political rights.

During the last month before his execution, Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar was denied any family visits. The authorities also failed to notify his family of his impending execution, informing them only after it was carried out by firing squad at dawn on 26 March 1996.

Women friends and relatives who tried to visit the family home earlier today were reportedly dispersed by police using teargas.

Amnesty International is calling on Bahrain’s ruler, the Amir, Shaikh Issa Bin Salman Al Khalifa to stop any further executions.