Oct98

Press Conference in the British Parliament

The State Security Court is an “Engine of Repression”

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the parliamentary Human Rights Group launched a major report on the State Security Court in Bahrain in a press conference held on 28 October at 6.45 p.m. in the British Parliament.

The 75-page report entitled “The Crisis of Human Rights in Bahrain, The Rule of Law Under Threat: A Report on the Practice and Procedure of the State Security Court in Bahrain” detailed how the State Security Court (SSC) is used in Bahrain as an integral component in the engine of repression.

Lord Avebury stated “Over the last thirty years, there has been a move towards popular participation in government almost everywhere in the world. Bahrain is unique in having had a partially elected legislative body under its constitution of 1972, and having then reverted to an absolute hereditary autocracy in 1975.

The Amir rules by decree, having only a hand picked advisory council, the members of which he can appoint and dismiss at his pleasure. The Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Ministers of the Interior, Transport, Justice, Housing and Industry are all members of the royal family. So are the head of the security service, the governor of the capital city, Manama, the governor of Muharraq, the head of the Amiri Court, and two of the three judges of the State Security Court”.

He went on to say “States which have friendly relations with Bahrain, including the US and Britain in particular now have the basis on which to make detailed representations for reform, and the UN Human Rights Commission may also wish to pay attention to these findings. Lawyers and their organisations could take the opportunity of raising the matter in their contacts with the Bahraini authorities”.

Lord Avebury pointed out that since 1994, the Bahraini government refused all initiatives for dialogue and had instead resorted to detaining the leading pro-democracy figure Sheikh Al-Jamri. The ICRC confirmed that it conducted 33 visits in 1997, toured 23 detention centres and inspected the names of 2111 Bahraini citizens held in the centres. This is comparable to some 150,000 political prisoners if the same percentage were to apply in the UK. A shaming aspect of what is going on in Bahrain is the fact that Britons like Ian Henderson and Thomas Bryan head the security service. A British citizen by the name David Jump has been appointed by the Bahraini Interior Ministry as the main channel for matters connected to human rights. We hope that one day these will made to answer for what they are doing in Bahrain.

The British Defence Secretary announced his intention to visit Bahrain amid calls from the European Parliament to refrain from supplying arms to Bahrain and until it restores democracy to the country. Since the Labour Party came to power arms of categories ML1, ML2 and ML4 had been exported to Bahrain. These are taking place while the security forces have increased their number to 30,000 as part of a demographic engineering. The government imported many thousands of Syrians into Bahrain for that purpose. He concluded by saying “this outstanding report is the first of its kind and highlights the distance to be travelled by the Bahrain government to bring itself in line with international standards”.

Mark Muller, Barrister and Vice Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee, introduced the report saying, “over the past four years, the Bar Human Rights Committee has been increasingly concerned with the systematic violation of human rights in Bahrain.

This report principally focuses on the SSC and dispassionately analyses its practices and procedures and compare them to the standards set by Bahrain’s Constitution and International Conventions. The investigation brings to light the fact that the SSC doesn’t comply with any accepted convention. The SSC had been intimately connected with the dissolution of the parliament in 1975 and manifestly violates all UN instruments. The SSC’s legal entrenchment amounts to a co-ordinated oppression between the judiciary and the executive. The SSC is principally used for stifling the people of Bahrain from calling for democratic reforms. The report presents a number of recommendation and I hope you read them and support them. I commend the report to you”.

Mr. Sabah Al-Mukhtar, President of the Arab Lawyers Association in the UK said “this report is professionally written and is readable by all people. Bahrain shares similarities with other countries in the region but is different in many respects. It is the only the country that throws out its own population. Its population is highly educated and has long been calling for their rights. Even with a bad legal system, it is not adhered to.

There is the abuse that is over and above this bad system. Any person is systematically tortured. But if a person is thought to be a threat to the state, imagine what type of torture would he receive. Bahraini police doesn’t need lots of arms to suppress the people. Even if there is a ban on arms, the police will still suppress the people. What is needed is economic and political pressure. It is hoped that politicians in the West do not politicise human rights. If a friendly regime abuses human rights, then the pressure should also apply”.

Dr. Heather Deegan of Middlesex University said “there are several argument presented by some people for rejecting democratisation. There are those who say that colonisation had a negative impact and that human rights and democracy are part of Western colonial concepts. In the past, we had the Cold War where strong communist parties had been supported by the Soviet Union on one side, while on the other there were CIA-led groups and autocratic leaders. All these have changed now. Democratisation can’t be a top-down process, rather it is a constituency-based and a grass root movement. This is linked to the question of citizenship and their rights. Even if a country provides for the social welfare rights, political and civil rights must accompany these. The citizens must be able to form their associations and to engage in the political process”.

Mr. Marc Pellas of the Paris-based Committee for Defence of Democratic Rights stated “We need to be frank here in Europe. When we speak to the French officials about the abuses of human rights in Bahrain and the Middle East, they say to us that there is business and commercial competition amongst the European governments and for this reason such issues tend to be swept under the carpet.

The European Parliament had issued resolutions about Bahrain, but the European governments paralyse the European Commission (EC). The EC links economic co-operation in Africa and other places to the respect of those countries to human rights. When it comes to Bahrain, this linkage is not applied. We need to urge the European governments (who make-up the EC) to publicly state their views about human rights in Bahrain and to raise these issues during their meetings with the Bahrain government. We need to ensure that the European governments do not dump human rights in favour of commercial competition. The European corridors of power as well as the International Parliamentary Union and other international organisations should all be presented with this report and be urged to act for human rights”.

Mark Muller concluded “It is within this Spirit that the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group call upon the Bahraini Government to guarantee its society’s long-term stability and peace by implementing the following recommendations:

1) Restore the parliamentary system in accordance with the Constitution.

2) Implement the Constitution in its entirety, including the institution of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, and the Constitutional Court.

3) Amend the State Security Legislation and the provisions related there to in the Penal Code by eliminating all provisions contained therein which violate citizens’ constitutional civil rights.

4) Re-try all persons convicted by the SSC before the ordinary criminal courts or before any other tribunal that might be instituted by the National Assembly for that purpose.

5) Investigate all claims of torture and extra-judicial killings through impartial investigators and under international observation.

6) Issue legislation instituting the right of individuals subjected to these human rights violations to receive fair and adequate compensation.

7) Conduct impartial investigations on prison conditions under international observation.

8) Release the findings of the above investigations to the public.

9) Bring to justice all persons responsible for committing human rights violations, in relation to the events of 1995-1997, as well as before or after that period.

10) Ratify the international human rights treaties such as the ICCPR including its related protocol.

11) Observe all international legal and customary obligations concerning Human Rights”.

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Reuters on Bahrain

Full story

UK parliament says Bahrain violates human rights

06:25 p.m Oct 28, 1998 Eastern

LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) – The British parliament’s human rights observers on Wednesday accused Bahrain of systematically violating human rights and said dissenters in the Gulf state had been arrested, tortured and jailed under summary justice.

There are about 1,500 people currently detained without trial in the tiny island state, said the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales.

The report said the Bahrain government had resisted any discussion about change since parliament was dissolved in 1975. Bahrain is governed by a monarchy headed by Sheikh Isa Bin Sulman al-Khalifa.

The report said Bahrain’s state Security Court functioned as a component in the “engine of repression.”

“Defendants are subject to arbitrary arrest, incommunicado detention and inadequate prison conditions,” the report said.

“Furthermore, they are routinely subjected to torture, and inhuman and degrading treatment by investigating authorities who thereafter openly rely on illegally extracted ‘confessions’ which are neither excluded or examined by the Court,” it said.

Disturbances erupted in December 1994 in Bahrain as part of a campaign by Shi’ite Moslems seeking to wrest more economic opportunities and political freedom from the Sunni-dominated government.

The police and security forces in Bahrain have been increased to a strength of 30,000, including some brought in from Syria “to improve the regime’s capacity for repression,” the report said.

It said the latest alleged case of abuse involved a man called Noon Khalil Abdullah Al Nooh, who was arrested on July 19, 1998.

“His tortured body was handed to the family for burial two days later,” the report said.

The document called for the restoration of Bahrain’s parliament and the investigation of all allegations of torture and extra-judicial killings.

Officials at Bahrain’s embassy in London had no immediate comment on the report.

The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group has around 150 members from both houses and all parties in Britain. The Bar Human Rights Committee is an independent body concerned with defending the rule of law around the world.

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Attacking Sitra

The security forces (made up of Baluchi, Syrian and Jordanian mercenaries) launched an offensive on Sitra on 2 October following a mass gathering by citizens who congregated to pay their their final tribute to the latest victim of the inhuman regime. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used on the crowds of people who have taken part in the commemoration of the 3rd day (according to tradition) of the death of Mr. Mohammed Al Sayah. The 28 year-old victim died in hospital after long painful agony caused by a virulent illness he had developed during the torture sessions (conducted by the Jordanian officer Mahmood Al-Akkori) in detention.

The security forces broke into houses to intimidate the residents of Sitra and set up checkpoints at the main two entrances of the town. The most affected houses were those near the cemetery and Dar Al Hussain assembly hall where Mr. Al Sayah had been buried and commemorated. In one instance, they raided the house of Mr. Yousif Ahmed Yousif, a teacher, Kharjiyh (Sitra), and subjected his son (Ahmed, 19) to a brutal beating in front of Mr. Yousif’s family. Then they attempted to arrest Ahmed and the reason given for his beating and arrest was that he “pretended” to be the son of Mr. Yousif. The mercenaries have released Ahmed after reluctantly accepting his passport as an evidence that he is the son of his father and that he is staying in his house. No other reason have been given for his beating.

The following persons were arrested on the first night of the attack on Sitra on 2nd October. They are: Ebrahim Hamid, 22 ( This is his fourth arrest), Hussain Hamid, 16, Seyed Diy’a Seyed Amir, 16, Kharjiyh(Sitra ), Ebrahim Ahmed, 26, Mihz’a(Sitra). The above mentioned have been subjected to brutal beating on the spot and then were taken to the Adliya detention centre. Others who have been arrested are: Hamid Ali Jaffar,18, Nabih Saleh. There remain a number of arrested persons who have not been identified as yet.The 18 year Zuhair Nooh, Sitra, who was arrested on 2 October, had been brutally beaten by batons on the spot and then was taken away to the East Rif’a torture centre.

Early evening on 4th October, security forces raided houses of the besieged Ma’amir village and intimidated, arrested citizens and destroyed the contents of their houses. The following are known to have been arrested during the raid: Seyed Saleh Seyed Ahmed, 23, Seyed Sadiq Seyed Ahemd, 19, Seyed Jami Seyed Abas, 23, Ali Abdulla Hussain, 18. All have been taken to the East Rif’a torture centre.

Late at midnight on 5th October, the security forces conducted another attack on Sitra. The first property they raided was the house of Mr. Ali Al Shiekh Abdul Hussain Al Satrawi, 32, ( An Engineer in the Ministry of work and an active member of Sitra charity fund), where they have intimidated his family and destroyed the contents of his house. Following that they broke into a number of houses and arrested their residents. They are: Mr. Mansoor Al Sayah, 34 ( brother of the late victim Mohammed Al Sayah), Mr. Mohammed Mansoor, 24 (member of Sitra’s Unified Society), Mr. Mohammed Al Ajami, 42 ( This is his second arrest), Mr. Abdul Zahra Abd Ali Ahmed, 22, Mr. Abdul Amir Al Sindi ( an officer in the Ministry of Interior).

OMCT Urgent Action

OMCT has issued an urgent plea for Intervention following the death of Mr. Mohammed Al-Sayyah, 28 years old, on September 30, 1998, under torture .OMCT expressed its grave concern about the conditions of detention, torture and death in custody in Bahraini jails. The Intervention urged the Bahraini government to order a thorough and impartial investigation into the death of Mr. Mohammed Al-Sayyah, in particular, the torture against him and all other detainees, in order to identify the persons responsible and bring them to justice. Also, it called on the Bahraini government to ensure the right of Mr. Al-Sayyah’s family to adequate compensation and redress and to conform to the norms and articles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights standards.

Prison Protest

On 5th October, prisoners in the (new) Jaw prison refrained from seeing their families in protest for their detention without trial for more than two years. Amongst those detained are: Seyed Adnan Seyed Mihsin, 23, Sitra, Hassan Farhan, 27, Sitra, Mahdi, 25, Sitra, Zakaria Hisi, 23, Sitra, Ebrahim Al Qumaish, 23, Sitra, Ahmed Radi, 40, Abu Sayb’a as well as 16 other persons from the same village.

EU Views on Human Rights

The European Commission has replied to a question tabled by the European Parliament member Robert Evans on the human rights abuses in Bahrain. Mr. Evans asked “ Would the Commission inform me of what action the Commission is considering in light of the continued human rights abuses taking place in Bahrain, highlighted by several international human rights organisations? Of particular pressing concern is the dissolution and possible court case against the Bar Association, the banning of several journalists and the continued imprisonment of opposition leaders, held for over two years without trial.”

The European Commission responded “the Commission does not have any bilateral contractual arrangement with Bahrain providing a framework for dialogue on human rights issues. However, in the joint council the Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) concluded in 1989, questions concerning human rights and democracy are raised. The Commission encourages Bahrain and the other GCC countries to promote democracy and to become signatory parities to and fully apply international instruments in relation to human rights. The reinforced political dialogue between the Community and the GCC practiced since 1996 has provided a new forum for raising questions of human rights and democracy with the GCC authorities. The negotiation of a free trade agreement can also be used as a vehicle for raising concerns on human rights and democracy.”

British Secretary & Bahrain

Questions are being raised about a planned visit by the British Defence Secretary, George Robertson to Bahrain with reference to the European Parliament (EP) decisions and resolutions. An EP resolution passed on 18 September 1997, the second of its kind, called on the European Union Member States to ” refrain from supplying arms or security support to the government of Bahrain”. Moreover, it went on to request the European Council to ” take initiatives in order to obtain similar restraint at international level until democratic conditions have been restored”. Mr. Robertson had stated “I would hope to make progress on this initiative when I am able to visit. We have long-standing links, and have been recently assisting with the establishment of the Bahrain Military College”.

Jailed citizens suffer

Another innocent citizen has been let go from prison after the regime found that its life is probably going to end shortly. Mr. Seyed Majeed, Markh, has been admitted to Salmania Hospital (Ward 412) suffering from leukemia. Mr. Majeed was brutally tortured over a period of time while in detention. No visits are permitted even from his kinship. Three other Bahrainis had exactly the same fate. On the other hand, Ali Al Kais, 23, Bani Jamra, is suffering from a liver problem. Mr. Kais has been subjected to brutal torture under the hands of the regime’s torturers. He was placed in solitary cell and visits have been banned. Also, Salman Yousif, 17, Karanah, is suffering from sickle cell and has been in detention for more than two years.

Teenagers tortured:

The security forces arrested two boys in mid October from Duraz and brutally beaten them on the spot. They were then taken to the torture centre in Budaya Police HQ for more abuse. The two children are: Sadiq Abdula Yousif, 12, and the son of Mahdi Abd Alnabi Al Marzuq, 12.

Forcible exile

Mohammed Abase Ali Kamal, a Bahraini, is being held in Pakistan’s Airport following his deportation from Bahrain Airport upon his arrival with his Philipino wife from the Philippines via Pakistan in mid October. Mr. Kamal has been attempting to return home for several times but to no avail. The Bahraini authorities would not allow his entrance at the Bahraini Airport. He was first deported from Bahrain in 1981, after releasing him from prison. Mr. Kamal carries a Bahraini passport No. 183755, issued on 24 August 1977. Bahrain is the only country in the world that forcibly deports its citizens by throwing them out on planes bound to other countries.

CPP’s letter Intercepted

In line with its goodwill and determination to pursue peaceful means for achieving democratic reforms in Bahrain, the Committee for  Popular Petition (CPP) submitted a letter to the Bahraini Amir on 18 October 98. The letter was sent by registered mail, requested an appointment with the Amir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa for the submission of the Popular Petition. The petition signed by more than 25 thousand Bahraini people calls on the Bahraini Amir to introduce democratic reforms as prescribed by the country’s 1973 constitution

The letter was intercepted by the Interior Ministry. Afterward, the Ministry of Interior summoned two leading pro-democracy personalities and members of the CPP. Mr. Ali Rabi’a and Mr. Isa Al Jawdar have been interrogated by Ahmed Abd Al Rahman Bu Ali, the Finance Director of the Ministry of Interior, Abdul Salam Al Ansari, Manama’s Police Director, and the Prosecutor General Isa Bu Khuwwa. Threats of arrest were directed to Mr. Rabi’a and Mr. Al Jawdar by the interrogators in the event the CPP attempted to submit such a letter again.

Pickets in London & Durham

The Bahraini exiles in Britain picketed in front of the entrances of the Lumley Castle Hotel in Durham and the Haytt Carlton Hotel in London to protest against the Bahraini regime’s atrocities against Bahrainis. The pickets coincided with the “ Made In Bahrain” week that has been organised by the Bahraini regime. Pamphlets were distributed to the visitors who expressed deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain.

Report on State Security Court

The detailed report on State Security Court that was jointly launched on 28 October by the (British) Bar Human Rights Committee and the Parliamentary Human Rights Group has received international coverage by Reuters, the BBC and similar media organisations. The report scrutinised the procedures and practices of the State Security Court from a legal perspective. The report highlighted the historical background for the current political instability and called on the international community to play its part in urging the Bahraini government to stop violating human rights through the flawed state security system. On 29 October, the BBC Arabic Service broadcast an interview with Mark Muller, the Vice Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee, in which he explained the defects of the State Security Court. He also called for an end to the intimidation of Bahraini lawyers, whose society had been dissolved by the authorities last February (see the Report).

Mosque Vandalised

In line with its policy for intimidating and terrorising citizens, the Bahraini regime ransacked, on 28 October, “Zain Al Abidin” Mosque in Bani Jamra and brought to ruin its contents.

Harassment of jailed leaders

The Bahraini regime is continuing its psychological torturing of the detained leading pro-democracy personalities. It has stepped up its cruel treatment of the leader of the constitutional movement in Bahrain Sheikh Al Jamri over the past few weeks. This came following the regime’s failure to force Al Jamri to succumb and sign falsified accusations especially prepared by the intelligence department. The 60 year-old Al Jamri has been placed into solitary cell in September.

Mr. Hassan Mushaima’a, Mr. Abdul Wahab Hussain, Shiekh Hassan Sultan and Shiekh Hussain Al Daihi and Shiekh Al Rayash have been in solitary detention for some months. The regime is in despair after these distinguished personalities have declined to sign pre-prepared confessions. Various trickery and immoral methods have been used by the regime to pressure the pro-democracy leaders to turn their backs from the legitimate demands.

The regime is furious that it was forced by the UN Sub-commission on Human Rights to succumb to the will of international community and agree to accede to Article 20 of the UN Convention Against Torture and allow the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to visit Bahrain. The regime holds the Bahraini opposition responsible for forcing it to comply with UN demands.

British MPs in Bahrain

British MP Ken Purchase has told the Bahraini regime what the British Foreign Minister for Middle Eastern Affairs had exactly said one month ago during his visit to Bahrain on 14 September 98. Mr. Fatchett emphasised in his statement last September the independence of the British media. He rebuffed the allegations made by the Bahraini regime of UK government control over the media and declined the Bahraini regime’s demands to interfere with the BBC. Likewise, Mr. Purchase has also stressed the independence of the British media, in particular, the BBC World Service saying “ we have gone to some lengths to explain that the British government reluctantly, if at all interferes with the contents of what is broadcast by the BBC World Service.”

Mr. Purchase is visiting Bahrain along with other seven British members of parliament ( Clare Ward, Labour, Nigel Jones, Liberal Democrat, Nigel Evans, Conservative, Dan Morris, Labour, Ashok Kumar, Labour, Lindsay Hoyle, Labour, Lawrence Cunliffe, Labour). The visit is sponsored by the Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Bahraini Ambassador to Britain Abdul Aziz Bin Imbarak Al Khalifa who is accompanying the British MPs visiting Bahrain has prophesised a UK government crackdown on British media in order to hamper the Bahraini opposition from expressing its views “ through various communication channels, including fax and Email.”

The Bahraini opposition welcomes the British MPs visit to Bahrain and call upon them to investigate the human rights situation in the country. We hope that they will visit Bahraini prisons, meet with detainees and engage in a dialogue with Bahraini people. We sincerely hope that the trip will allow the MPs to appreciate the agony of the oppressed Bahrainis.

Asbestos in Solitary Cell

While the Bahraini government is planning its “Made in Bahrain” week in London towards the end of October, more information has been revealed about the “excellence” achieved in the torture industry. The regime is exposing his victims of torture to the harmful and prohibited asbestos material. This material has been prohibited from use because of its serious implication on health. The risks to health from exposure to asbestos are known to the world. These risks affects the lungs’ tissues and other internal organs. In Al-Qal’a prison there exists a cell which is entirely insulated by Asbestos substance. Mats of asbestos material are piled in the cell that is used for solitary confinement of citizens. So far, three Bahrainis died as a result of developing cancerous diseases while in prison. All three were admitted to the asbestos cell for long periods. The latest victim of this inhuman policy was Mr. Mohammed Al Sayyh who died on 30 September 1998.

Other Torture Methods

Every day, there emerge a new story of the ordeal of Bahraini citizens inside the torture chambers of the Bahraini dictatorship. The following story is not uncommon in Bahrain, but it sheds some light on the savageness of the regime in Bahrain. Mr. X (his real name is held for protection), had a visit by his family in prison and told them the methods of torture he was subjected to. First, he was placed into a solitary cell for a few days, during which, he was not allowed to use the toilets. Second, he was stripped off and left naked for a few days. Later, his naked body had been placed into a soaked blanket and was rolled on the ground and beaten mercilessly with batons. In more than one instance, he was tied up by both hands and legs. Then he was pulled up in the air so that his hands and legs are lifted up while his stomach face down in a bow-like situation. Then, the torturers would lower his stomach into an electrified bath causing unbearable pain. Other torture method they used on him was the injection of hot water into an enema tube which ruins the intestines. On the verge of death, he was treated at the military hospital to save his life for another torture session.

Another story of yet another torture survivor out of hundreds of Bahrainis suffering inside the chambers of torture in Bahrain. Mr. B ( name held for protection) has been arrested and was taken to one of the torture centres. In there, he was stripped off by the security forces. Then an interrogation officer told him to “confess that you have carried out these acts of sabotage or you are going to be forced to sit on this bottle”. This method of torture has been repeatedly reported by Bahrainis as a common method used by the regime’s torturers.

More attacks on the BBC

The Bahraini regime has let loose its trumpet-blowers for yet another round of slandering against the BBC. This comes after the regime’s failure to convince eight British MPs who visited Bahrain last week to condemn the BBC or the opposition. “A lady and her dog boby” said an article in the semi-official newspaper (Akhbar Al Khalij). It went on to describe that the lady as being the British government and the dog as the BBC World Service. It maliciously proclaimed Britain and the BBC as terrorists seeking to vandalise, steal and terrorise in mean cold-blooded way. One article also called for the implementation of the new British “anti-terror” laws against the BBC, because the latter “has turned itself to serve terrorism”.

Akhbar Al Khalij on 13th and 14th October) saidthe BBC World Service is a “terrorist organisation” seeking to instigate violence in the country and the toppling of the Al Khalifa regime.

Over the past few months, the BBC has been enduring constant slandering by the Bahraini regime. All allegations have been rebuffed by the UK government as unfounded and baseless rhetorical propaganda. The Bahraini regime has always sought to accuse other outside government for its gross misconduct. In the past it was Iran, but now Iran is reported in the regime’s media as a “friendly Muslim country that has upgraded its relationship with Bahrain by appointing a senior foreign ministry official as an Ambassador to Bahrain”.

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Reuters on Bahrain

Exiled opposition reports Bahrain arrests, beating

10:38 a.m. Oct 03, 1998 Eastern

LONDON, Oct 3 (Reuters) – An exiled Bahraini opposition group said on Saturday that police had used teargas and beaten people at a mass gathering to commemorate the death of a Bahraini Shi’ite Moslem.

The London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement also said in a statement that police had arrested several young people in various parts of the Gulf Arab island.

“Teargas and rubber bullets were used on the crowds of people who have taken part in the commemoration…of the death of Mohammed al-Sayah” in Bahrain’s small island of Sitra, the statement said.

It said Sayah, 28, died in hospital of cancer which he had developed in detention. The statement did not give the dates of Sayah’s death and the memorial gathering.

Police had also raided the house of Yousif Ahmed Yousif, a teacher, and subjected his 19-year-old son Ahmed to “a brutal beating in front of his family,” the statement said.

It said 12 Shi’ites, most of them under 20, had been arrested last month. Another Shi’ite, 18-year-old Zuhair Nooh, was arrested on Friday. It gave no reasons for the arrests.

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On 28 October, the security forces raided the Bahrain Training Institute and embarked on a one by one search of all students and their belongings. No reason was given for the unwarranted intrusion.

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Arrest and torture:

Almost all kinds of arbitrary arrests and torture methods in the world have been employed by the Bahraini regime against Bahrainis. On 26 October, the security forces conducted a night raid and ransacked the house of Seyed Jameel Seyed Khadem Al Sadadi. Mr. Al Sadadi was then arrested and taken away to a detention centre. He was released the following day. No reason has been given for his arrest.

On 22 October, Mohammed Jawad Al Qasim was arrested in Manama near “Bahrain Gate” where he attempted to express his views to the public.

On 17 October, Shakir Mansoor Al Asfur, 20, Seyed Jalal Seyed Adnan, 18, Abdula Isa, 18, Hussain Ali Salman, 18, Basim Mohammed, 18, Marsil Ali, 18, all are from Shakhura, were arrested by the security forces.

On 24 October, A Kuwaiti appeal court October 31 for a verdict in the case of a group of Bahrainis charged with distributing pamphlets against the repressive regime in Bahrain. The Kuwaiti authorities have been attempting to twist the due process for satisfying the dictatorial regime in Bahrain. Contrary to the practice adopted by all national governments in the world, the Bahraini foreign minister (who is a leading member of the Al-Khalifa ruling family) has called for the severest sentences to be passed.

Atrocities of Dawn Raiders:

Cornered by the international human rights organisations, the Bahraini regime ran out of rationale excuses for the atrocities committed against peaceful Bahrainis. The following persons were arrested lately: Maytham Mirza Isa, 19, Abbas Abd Ali Yousif, 22, Musa Ali Yousif, 29, all from Qadam. The last three have recently been arrested for 16 days in Al Buday’a centre in which they were subjected to brutal torture.

On 17 October, Hassan Salman Al Qafas, 21, Sanabis, was arrested in an early morning raid on his house. Also on 13 October, three children from Ikir village were arrested. They were: Ayman Ali Ahmed Abdul Rasul, 14, Imran Abdul Rasul Ali Abdul Rasul, 14, Ama’r Abdul Rasul Ali Abdul Rasul, 13 ( the latter two are brothers who have one, Shakir, 25, in jail serving a 5-year sentence).

On 10 October, the following two persons were arrested from Ikir: Mohammed Abdul Mohsin Jassim Abdul Nabi, 17, Abdul Khaliq Jassim Moham med Yousif, 14, ( this is his second arrest).

On 9 October, Hussain Khalil Al Mulani, 22, Mahmood Hassan Al Farsani, 19, both from Daih, were arrested in a midnight raid on their houses. Also from Qadam, Hamid Ali Yousif, 17, Ismael Sayed Ali Seyed Hashim, 17, ( both were released on the same night after brutal torture in Buday’a center).

On 4 October, from Ma’mir ( Sitra), Seyed Saleh Seyed Ahmed, 20, Seyed Sadiq Seyed Ahmed, 20, (the latter two are brothers), Seyed Jameel Seyed Abbas, 20, Ali Abdula Hussain, 20. Also, on 2 October, Zuhair Nooh Al Saeed, 22, Ma’mir (Sitra), was arrested and subject to brutal torture.

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15 Oct: The military officer, Mohammed Jassim Al Ghatam, who is the president of the University of Bahrain has issued a decree stating that, grants given to students at the University will be suspended. The reason given to students was the lack of sufficient funding to the University. The suspension would put most Bahraini students into extreme hardship. Many of the students at the University would not be able to afford to pay the tuition fee which will force them to drop out. The Bahraini regime has taken upon itself to punish Bahraini students who actively took part in the peaceful campaign for more democratic reforms and freedom in Bahrain.

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Two persons were arrested yesterday night 13th October, and brutally tortured in one of the detention centres then released on the same night. They are Seyed Ismael Seyed Isa Seyed Hashim, 18, Hamid Ali Abdula, 19, both from Qadam village.

On 11 October, three young persons, also from Qadam, were released after spending 17 days of sessions in Budayi’a Centre. They are: Musa Ali, 27, Qadam, Maytham Mirza Jaffar, 20 and Abas Abd Ali, 22, Qadam.

Early morning on 6 October, security forces raided the house of Sheikh Jaffar Al A’li, 35, Qiraya (Sitra), intimidated his family, overturned the contents of his house and took him away to one of the torture chambers. Moreover, a midnight raid has been conducted on Sarr village. In this raid, the security forces arrested 11 persons, 5 adults and 6 teenagers. They are: Jassim Jaffar, 16, Hassan Ali Khalaf, 16, Jalal Hassan, 16, Seyed Fahdil Seyed Ahmed, 17, Hussain Majeed, 17, Seyed Alawi Seyed Ahmed, 18, Shakir Ma’tuq, 23, Ali Ahmed, 23, Ali Ahmed, 23 (two person of the same name and age), Shafiq Alawi, 24, Seyed Yunis Seyed Alawi Seyed Majeed, 28. They were forced to sign pre-prepared statements after long sessions of torture. At a later stage, they were forced under the threat of more torture to depict a fictitious scenario of vandalism act.

Citizens detained in Jaw prison have refrained from seeing their families in protest for their long detention without trial. Families assembled opposite the torture centre of Al-Qal’a to demand justice for their sons. Furthermore, detainees in Jaw prison, are subjected to daily degrading treatment by the prison staff. On 5 October, detainees in cell “F” protested against such treatment. They were mercilessly tortured and then placed in solitary cells. Two of the detainees’ names have come out. They are Seyed Khadim and Yousif.

The custodian of the West Karbabad’s Assembly Hall, Haji Ahmed Khalifa, has been summoned by the intelligence. Mr. Khalifa was threatened to either hand in the sound equipment used in the assembly hall or the closure of the place.

On the other hand, Haj Ali Karim, Sanabis, has been transferred for urgent treatment. He had been savagely beaten in one of the raids on Sanabis 2 years ago. Also, it came to light that the health of Mr. Bashir Abdula Al Shajar, 22, Daih (in detention for more than 5 months), is seriously deteriorating, as a result of the brutal torture in prison. Mr. Al Shajar’s family has been prevented from seeing their son.

More arrests, more torture and more crowded prisons of innocent citizens. These are some names of persons arrested lately as part of the terror campaign adopted by the regime. They are: On 5th October, Sadiq Abas Al Daqaq, 15, Karbabad, Seyed Hussain Seyed Ali Seyed Saeed, 16, Karbabad ( they were both tortured by the notorious mercenary Faruq Al Ma’wda), Abdul Zahra Abd Ali Ahmed, 22, Jazira. From Ma’amir, on 4th October, Seyed Saleh Seyed Ahmed, 20, Seyed Sadiq Seyed Ahmed, 18 (the latter two are brothers), Seyed Jameel Seyed Abas, 21, Ali Abdula Hussain, 20. Also, on 2nd October, Zuhair Nooh Al Saeed, 22, Ma’amir, Hamad Ali Jaffar, 19, Jazira, Ebrahim Ahmed Ali, 28, Wadyan (Sitra), Saeed Khalil Ebrahim, 21, Wadyan (Sitra).

The following are persons arrested last August. From Muqsh’a village: Hussain Jassim Mohammed, 20, Salah Jssim Mohammed, 17, Abas Jassim Mohammed, 15 ( the latter 3 persons are brothers), Mahmmud Isa Abdula, 16, Isamel Abdula, 26, Mahdi Ali Ahmed, 23, Ali Jum’a Abdula, 19, Hassan Abas Hassan, 16, Ali Hassan Ahmed, 16, Habib Abas Mansoor, 23, Ali Abdula Jassim, 18, Maytham Abdul Rasul Ebrahim, 17, Mohammed Abdul Rasul Ebrahim, 32, Hussain Adul Rasul Ebrahim, 30 (the latter 3 persons are brothers and have 2 more brothers Ali and Abdula who had been arrested more than 2 years without trial).

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3 Oct: The following person have been arrested last month from different areas in Bahrain: Saleh Kadim, 19, (from Sarr), Fahdil Abas Al Adraj, 18, Ama’r Al Hada’d, 16 ( (from Bani Jamra). Also from Dair: Seyed Mazin Seyed Hashim Seyed Ali, 19, Seyed Hussain Seyed Rida Seyed Jawad, 19, Seyed Hassan Seyed Adnan, 18, Ali Mirza Abdulla. From Tubli: Khalil Ebrahim Ali Al Mukhta’r, 19 (was arrested more than once), Haidar Ali, 19, Rida Abdul Al Hussain Al Haraj, Hunis Mansoor Al Arnud, Seyed Jawad Seyed Hashim Seyed Baqir and Ali Ahmed Al Arnud. Zuhair Nooh, 18, (arrested on 2 October.

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29 Oct: the Financial Times published a covering, referring to human rights abuse and the State Security Court in Bahrain, entitled Bahrain accused of human rights abuse. It highlighted the launch of the report on the SSC on 28 October. The report was jointly published by the All Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales.

31 Oct: the Kuwaiti Appeal Court increased the sentences imposed on Adel Al-Hayki who had earlier been acquitted by the court to a sentence of three years imprisonment. The same court also confirmed the earlier unjust sentences of 3 years passed against Hussain Al-Hayki, Mohammed Mirza and Hussain Al-Sa’af. They were accused of distriburting pamphlets against the autocratic regime in Bahrain.

Private Eye Reveals documents:

30 Oct: A Private Eye article described Omar Al Hassan (the Director of the Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies) as a crook according to a letter on 3 July 1995 from a senior House of Commons official to the sergeant-arms Sir Alan Urwick. The letter said that he was dismissed from a post with the Arab League for misappropriation of funds. The official continuedthat he was surprised that Al Hassan is permitted to roam about in theHouse of Commons and would recommend that this be stopped. The Eye went on to say that the British MP Mr. Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton for North East) demanded to visit prisons in Bahrain but the Bahraini regime declined his demand. It commented that Bahrain of course has no MPs: the island elected parliament was dissolved by order of the Amir in 1975, and the country is now ruled ruthlessly by the Amirs family.

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Bahrain: State Security Court condemned

The detailed report on State Security Court that was jointly launched on 28 October by the (British) Bar Human Rights Committee and the Parliamentary Human Rights Group has received international coverage by Reuters, the BBC and similar media organisations. The report scrutinised the procedures and practices of the State Security Court from a legal perspective. The report highlighted the historical background for the current political instability and called on the international community to play its part in urging the Bahraini government to stop violating human rights through the flawed state security system. On 29 October, the BBC Arabic Service broadcast an interview with Mark Muller, the Vice Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee, in which he explained the defects of the State Security Court. He also called for an end to the intimidation of Bahraini lawyers, whose society had been dissolved by the authorities last February.

The European Commission raises its concern:

The European Commission has replied to a question tabled by the European Parliament member Robert Evans on the human rights abuses in Bahrain. Mr. Evans asked “ Would the Commission inform me of what action the Commission is considering in light of the continued human rights abuses taking place in Bahrain, highlighted by several international human rights organisations? Of particular pressing concern is the dissolution and possible court case against the Bar Association, the banning of several journalists and the continued imprisonment of opposition leaders, held for over two years without trial.”

The European Commission responded “the Commission does not have any bilateral contractual arrangement with Bahrain providing a framework for dialogue on human rights issues. However, in the joint council the Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) concluded in 1989, questions concerning human rights and democracy are raised. The Commission encourages Bahrain and the other GCC countries to promote democracy and to become signatory parities to and fully apply international instruments in relation to human rights. The reinforced political dialogue between the Community and the GCC practiced since 1996 has provided a new forum for raising questions of human rights and democracy with the GCC authorities. The negotiation of a free trade agreement can also be used as a vehicle for raising concerns on human rights and democracy.”

Vandalism policy adopted:

In line with its policy for intimidating and terrorising citizens, the Bahraini regime ransacked, on 28 October, “Zain Al Abidin” Mosque in Bani Jamra and brought to ruin its contents. On the other hand, the security forces raided the Bahrain Training Institute and embarked on a one by one search of all students and their belongings. No reason was given for the unwarranted intrusion.

Forcible exile:

Mohammed Abase Ali Kamal, a Bahraini, is being held in Pakistan’s Airport following his deportation from Bahrain Airport upon his arrival with his Philipino wife from the Philippines via Pakistan. Mr. Kamal has been attempting to return home for several times but to no avail. The Bahraini authorities would not allow his entrance at the Bahraini Airport. He was first deported from Bahrain in 1981, after releasing him from prison. Mr. Kamal carries a Bahraini passport No. 183755, issued on 24 August 1977. Bahrain is the only country in the world that forcibly deports its citizens by throwing them out on planes bound to other countries.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

30 October ? 1998

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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October 1998 

Fatchett’s visit achieved positive outcome

More steps are needed

Whether Colonel Thomas Bryan will be able to do what his master failed to achieve is highly doubtful. For Ian Henderson has, after 31 years, failed to quell the aspirations of the Bahraini people despite his adoption of the most horrific torture methods against innocent civilians. Colonel Bryan, who is now in his late fifties, has been known to the people of Bahrain for many years as an experienced torturer whose victims include young children. Under his direct supervision hundreds of people over the past year suffered degrading treatment and severe torture.

Now that he is the overall commander of the terror machine created by Ian Henderson, Colonel Bryan feels free to try his own methods of punishment against the people who call for democracy and human rights. His freedom to do this is afforded to him by the Al Khalifas whose relations with the inhabitants of the island have never been warm. Their heavy-handed policies including mass arrests, torture, executions and forcible exile made them the worst violators of human rights in the Gulf and among the worst in the world. They have, however, failed to bring the people of Bahrain to their knees. Henderson had attempted to silence the people but without success.

After serving the Al Khalifas for three decades he gave his up official position as the Director General of the State Security last year, but has remained in overall control of the security apparatus. While Henderson retains the mastermind position, Colonel Bryan has taken over the notorious apparatus new methods of mass arrests and torture are being tried. What happens behind bars is anyone’s guess. What is known is that young people are taken in as energetic youth and are handed back to their families either dead or suffering from severe illnesses.

Last month the Amir of Bahrain received Mr. Derek Fatchett, the British minister responsible for the Middle East, at his court. The visiting British official did his best to please both the government and opposition. Whilst insisting on making Britain free from elements engaged in terrorist activities, he stressed that Britain would remain a bastion of free speech and political activities. This affirmation annoyed the Al Khalifa so much that they decided to dispatch the minister of the interior within 24 hours of Mr. Fatchett’s visit, to London. The aim was to hear from his British counter-part the implications of the new anti-terror legislation. To his dismay, the minister realised that those laws were not applicable to the political activists who are not engaged in violence. The Bahraini opposition has succeeded in convincing the world of their legitimate aims and peaceful tactics, something which is rare in today’s environment.

Mr. Fatchett has now established for himself a first-hand knowledge about the situation in Bahrain. Although he did not meet any opposition figure during his trip to Bahrain, the information he had had prior to his departure to Bahrain had made him well-acquainted with the crisis of human rights and democracy in that Gulf island. While in Bahrain he listened tentatively to his hosts as they scorned the British government and media for the attention they were giving to the grievances of the people of Bahrain. However, it is thought that he did not hear convincing arguments from them and remained sceptical about their allegations. Whether this will translate into positive action to force the Al Khalifa to adapt their system to modern world remains to be seen.

However, the opposition believes that pressure from governments friendly to the Al Khalifa, such as the British, will certainly contribute to the solution of the political crisis engulfing the country. That still seems a remote possibility, for the time being. However, from the perspective of strategic interests of the western governments, there is a need to effect a serious political change to the political system of Bahrain. So far, the opposition has confined its demands to the reinstatement of the constitution. This is a modest demand that in fact legitimises the Al Khalifa hereditary rule, and must not be countered with the harsh and repressive measures employed by the mercenaries hired by the ruling tribe.

Now that the alliances in the Gulf region are taking new dimensions, the least the friends of the Al Khalifa could do is to exercise pressure on them to make them realise the futility of their reactionary policies. The opposition in Bahrain is home-grown, and it cannot be contained forever. Colonel Bryan may continue his repression but the onus is on the political leadership which is sanctioning his practices. The recent rapprochement between Britain and Iran is a positive step that should remove any suspicion about the constitutional movement in Bahrain. Britain and the United States can help to build bridges between the people and the rulers in Bahrain making use of their offices with these rulers. Some of them may make noises about intervening in their internal affairs, but human rights is extra-territorial and concern about them does not constitute meddling in internal affairs of the countries involved in these violations. There is a need for a courageous move from the powers with history of democracy to listen to the grievances of people and not lend repressive hands such as Henderson and Bryan to crush reformist movements. Stability must be based on social justice and political participation by the people. Respect of human rights is an essential ingredient in both stability and security of the countries. People’s feeling of security is paramount to any stability, and without it, instability will become the order of the day.

Mr. Fatchett has had a first hand experience of what is going on in Bahrain, but he also need to listen to the other party of the conflict; the representatives of the people, those who are in jail, under constant surveillance or in exile. Justice is the cornerstone of any civil society to which our people aspire. Friends of Bahrain must lend supportive hands to the constitutional movement so that everyone lives in peace.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

1 October 1998

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089