Archive
Feb98
February 1998
Henderson’s era comes to an end; His legacy prevails
1 February: The British newspaper, The Mail-on-Sunday (1 February) revealed that the 20-year old Abdulla, son of the Housing Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa and the grandson of the Justice Minister, Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa, is one of the students of Sandhust military school, who is implicated in a bribe scandal. Three British army instructors are to be court-marshaled over claims of bribery and blackmail involving cash payments for passing exams. Abdulla claimed he “was foced to hand over money”.
1 February, the so-called Governor of the Capital and ex-torturer, Abdul Aziz Atteyat-Allah Al-Khalifa summonsed the President of Bahrain Bar Society, Dr. Abbas Helal and interrogated him about the seminar organized by the Society on 14 January, during which the pro-democracy leader Dr. Monira Fakhro and the journalist Mr. Hafedh Al-Sheikh criticized dictatorship and corruption in the country. The Interior Minister also attended the interrogation session. Dr. Helal was asked to write a statement noting down all details of the meeting. This demand is intended for intimidating the heroic lawyers. On the next day, another lawyer, Mr. Yousif Khalaf was summoned by the ex-torturer. A similar demand was made that Mr. Khalaf must write a report explaining details of the seminar.
2 February: A teenager, Muhammed Abdula, 17, from Isa town, was arrested. Mr Abdula had been arrested seven months ago and then released on the condition that he leaves the country to Kuwait. He stayed in exile for a period then returned only to be arrested again.
4 February, peaceful protesters demonstrated in Bani Jamra, northwest of Bahrain, emphasizing their steadfastness. They called for the immediate release of Sheikh Al Jamri.
5 February: The London based Al “Quds” newspaper has published an article for Mr. Mohammed Jabir Sabah entitled ” The dissolution of the constitution in Bahrain is an outrageous mistake, which led to the agitation of the social and political relationships”. Mr Sabah, a pro-democracy leader, said in his article that ” Democracy is not generated from vacuum or through wishes and proclamations in occasions. It is not generated through hollow phrases that have no place in the upshot of life, or through fictitious garnished publicity”. He went on to say that democracy is ” linked dialectically in a give and take process and a daily pursuance through implementation of clauses of the constitution and execution of its articles and translating it on the ground of reality, to achievements that serve society, without any infringements”. He went on ” Therefore, constitutions are like incubators for democracy and its secure fortress. And it is considered as the highest and holiest pact in the advanced, civil and modern societies”. It is worth mentioning that Mr. Sabah has been put under immense pressure by the Bahraini regime in disparate effort to silence him.
3 February: 3 February, scores of children were arbitrarily arrested from western Ekr. Amongst those arrested were: Ahmed Ali Al Wani, 17, Ali Abdula Al Wani, 14, Maruf Yousif Hassan Al Wani, 13, Abdula Ali Zuhair, 14, Fadhil Isa Sahlan, 15, Ahmed Jawad Sarhan, 13. These are being tortured in Isa Town detention centre.
4 February: In a written parliamentary answer to a question raised by the noble Lord Avebury, a British Government’s spokesperson, Baroness Symons of Verham Dean, revealed on 4 February that the British Foreign Secretary had asked his Bahraini counterpart to initiate dialogue with the Committee for Popular Petition. The text of the answer stated: “As I told the noble Lord in my answer of 28 January, we have discussed Sheikh Al Jamri’s continuing detention without charge with the Bahrainis authorities on a number of occasions. We have called on them to release or charge all those held in detention. We will continue to do so. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of a dialogue between the Bahraini authorities and the Committee for Popular Petition with the Crown Prince and Foreign Minister of Bahrain during their meeting on 28 January.”
5 February: It is worth noting what was reported by the Gulf Daily News of 5 February. The newspaper said that the government has allocated “$1 million” for an ” international media campaign” due to be launched this month. It also reported that a “delegation of British exhibition and conference organisers is due in Bahrain on 6 February to explore possibilities of bringing such events to the island”.
7 February, The guards of the dry-dock prison in Hidd have attacked and ripped-off the clothes of a detainee, Mohammed Hussain Ashur, during a visit by his family. The mercenaries tortured Mr. Ashur in front of his family and then savagely beaten his three sisters. The sisters of Mr. Ashur have later been called in for interrogation in Qala’a prison twice, on 8 and 9 February.
6 February, the security forces attacked Sitra and arrested several people, amongst them Isa Ali Mohammed and his brother Abdul Rasool (both in their twenties) and Mosa Al-Rahim, 23.
10 February: The security forces have arrested three children from Arad village, the children are: Yousif Ali Hassan Al fulad, 12, Hassan Ali Al Fulad, 13, Ali Jaffar Khalil Al Bahrani, 13. They were all detained for allegedly writing pro-democracy slogans on walls.
11 February, the secret police arrested Mr. Jaffar Abdul Ali, 24, from Markuban (Sitra), around 5: 30 at dawn while he was on his way to work
13 February: The house of the newly released teenager, Ahmed Jassim Muhammed, 17, has been ransacked by the security forces, in an attempt to intimidate the teenager and his family after a detention of more than a month. Ali Muhammed Sabet and his sister were detained few days ago during a visit to their brother in a detention centre. The security guards tortured the detained brother in front of the visiting brother and sister. The guards then charged the visiting persons with attempting “to stop” the guards from performing their duties.
14 February 1998, tyres burning were seen at the main and south entrances of Bilad Al Qadim town which led to the closure of Sheikh Salman Highway for a period of time. Later on, the security forces raided the town and arrested Haji Saeed Ahmed while he was walking down the street. Later at night another raid was conducted in which the security forces ransacked the house of Mr. Abdul Aziz Habib, 24. The latter was arrested after being subjected to savage beating on the spot. On the same day, Seyed Amin Seyed Hussain Seyed Shubar, from Sitra town, has been arrested at noon while he was returning home from work.
15 February: On the other hand, the Cabinet agreed to ratify the UN “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” (CAT). The opposition welcomed this development but cautioned against over-optimism. The ratifying of CAT came aftet the issuing of an historic resolution by the UN Human Rights Sub-Commission on 21 August, which urged the government to ratify the two covenants on human rights as well as CAT. The historic resolution also requested the UN Human Rights Commission to conside the situation of human rights in the next session due nex March/April.
It is believed that the government’s representative in Geneva will attempt to divert attention of the UN Commission on Human Rights by saying that his government has signed CAT and is probably “considering” allowing a human rights NGO to visit the country. The opposition believes that the government must also ratify the two covenants.
It is also worth noting that the Government of Bahrain had ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1990 and the Convention on the Right of the Child in 1992. The government refused to submit any of the periodic reports required by the two conventions. The government also violated all the clauses of the conventions by continually detaining and arresting children and by continually discriminating amongst citizens on the bases of religious, tribal and ethnic affiliation.
16 February: The Dry-Dock Prison in Hid (which contains 709 det), witnessed an escalation of events. The notorious torturer, Mohammed Al-Dare mercilessly tortured Nail Abdul Amir and then was placed him in a solitary cell. Abdul Amir, had submitted a complaint regarding the continuous ill-treatment to the officer in charge Salih Al-Yamani (a Yemeni officer). As a result, a torture was sent to deal with him. Another detainee, Abdulla Swar, from Sanad , had received a similar treatment. Another detainee Mohammed Sabt, was also reportedly tortured and placed in a solitary cell.
17 February: Extensive presence of secret police personnel and security forces was witnessed in Markuban (Sitra), until late midnight. During their presence in the village they harassed and intimidated the residents in an attempt to provoke violence. Farther they attacked and snatched acitizen who was getting ready to make his final preparations for his wedding due on Friday 20 February. Mr. Khalil Ebrahim Al Sindi, 26, has been detained by the security forces without a known reason. Also on 17 February, large number of security forces conducted a raid on the house of Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Ekri, 22, from Daih village. They ransacked his house and arrested him while he was asleep. There is a fear that Mr. Al Ekri health might deteriorate further, as he is believed to be in an unstable health condition.
19 February: The tales of young people tortured inside Bahrain’s prison do not end. Hassan Mahmood Taher Tarada, age 18, (DOB 20/04/79, CPR No.790406080, Passport No. 603838, Address House 615, Road 810, Hamad Town 1208.) had suffered a brain hemorrhage after his release last year. His family wants to take him out for treatment but his passport had been confiscated and hence can not receive a proper treatment
20 February: Political detainess in Al-Grain staged a hunger strike starting on Friday 20 February. These prisoners are subjected to ill-treatment in Al-Grain Prison, South of Bahrain. The brutality of prison officers had been escalated with variuos forms of torture, solitary confinements, banning of family-visits consistently imposed. The strikers do not know their fate and had been held indefinitely under the provisions of the State Security Law. Many of them had even passed the 3-year internment term specified by the unconstitutional State Security Law. Examples of such persons are Hussain Ahmad Al-Banna, 23 years old from Iskan-A’ali, Mohammed Ghannam, 28 from Sitra, Ali Hasan, 30 from Sitra.
20 February: The so-called “High Council for Islamic Affair” contacted the persons in-charge of mosques in Muharraq and ordered restrictions aimed at confiscating the rights of the citizens to practice their religion. One of the youths, Ali Al-Nasooh, was accused of violating the order and had been detained under the provisions of the State Security Law. Another elderly person by the name Haji Abdul Razzaq had been summoned for interrogation and intimidation.
21 February: the ruling Al-Khalifa family has appointed another person from their ranks to assume the role of Governor of Muharraq. The person is Isa bin Ahmed Mohammed Al-Khalifa, (Date of birth 26/March/1941). He joined the security service in November 1963 as an interrogation-officer and played this role in various torture centers. He was appointed in 1970 as chief of Airport Security and assumed a high ranking intelligence position in the mid seventies. In 1984 he was responsible for the Police HQ in the Central Region. Such a profile, family-affiliation and identity confirm the suspicions raised by many observers that the ruling tribe is moving towards the consolidation of a police-tribal state with total disregard to the aspirations of the nation.
21 February: Security forces attacked two families in Samahij and snatched two children: Jaffer Naser Ahmad, 13, Mohammed Hussain Ahmad Al-Yas, 13. The two children were tortured severely as they were being snatched from their families. An eyewitness said “a brick was used for hitting the child Jaffer”. On 23 February, the security forces re-attacked and snatched the following: Abdul-Elah Yousif, 16, Ali Habib, 14, Saleh Atteya, 13, Yaser Abdulla Khalil, 13. On 24 February, another child by the name Mohammed Salman was also arrested.
23 February: 23 February, women of Sanabis went out in a demonstration demanding an end to repression and release of their sons, husbands, fathers and relatives. The security forces mounted an aggressive attack against the residents and chased people of all ages on the streets and into the houses. The mercenaries attacked entire families and arrested scores of people. Amongst those arrested were Zaynab Sahawn, 37, (a mother of five children), Khadija Sahwan, 27, (a mother of three children). These women were intimidated and beaten inside their house before being snatched and taken away to the centres of torture. It is worth noting that this family has three sons in jail, Mohammed Sahwan (sentenced to 15 years), Jaffer Sahwan (sentenced to 5 years), and Abbas Sahwan (held indefinitely for the past 3 years). Another women, Khatoon Ali Jassim, 37, (mother of 3 children) was also intimidated, insulted and summoned for interrogation.
26 February: Scores of citizens marched along the main Budaya Highway near Daih and Jedhafs on 26 February, around 6.30 pm. The youths raised placards and chanted slogans demanding an end to repression, release of jailed leaders and political prisoners, and restoration of the dissolved parliament. One of the placards carried a slogan written in Arabic and English saying “We are not terrorists; We seek political reforms”. Other placards called for the immediate release of the jailed leader, Sheikh Al-Jamri. Traffic was brought to a halt on the main highway as demonstrators marched with bravery.
On 27 February, the security forces attacked a gathering intended for a marriage ceremony in Bani Jamra, and arrested the following children: Jaffer Mohammed Taher Habib, 14, Yasin Mohammed Radh, 11, Jaffer Abdul Nabi Isa Kadhem, 10, Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Haroon, 10, Mohammed Ali Matrook, 14, and Salman Ali Matrook. The children were taken to the torture centre in Budaya and received sever beating. Yasin Mohammed Radhi (11-year old orphan) went into a comma because of torture. At about 1.00 am (28 February), the 10 and 11-year old children were released, but the torturers detained the other children for further beating.
28 February: The State Security Court would be holding three “quickie” sessions to pass long prison terms against 16 persons who had been arrested in 1996. The first session was initially scheduled for Saturday 28 February. The sixteen persons are Ali Darwish, 28, Engineer; Seyed Mohammed, 27, Programmer; Mohammed Ali, 25, Teacher; Seyyed Fadhil Shubbar, 29, Teacher; Ali Salman, 30, Teacher; Seyyed Saeed Al-Majid, 30, Employee; Abdulla, 35, Employee; Farhad Khorshid, 30, Employee;, Yousif Habib, 28, Employee; Mohsin Al-Sheikh, 35, Manager; Ali Al-Mestani, 30, Employee; Jamil Jawahiri, 27, Shop-owner; Ismael Khalil, 21, Fisherman; brother of Ismael Khalil, 25; Mahdi Saleh, 23, Employee; Ali Masha-Allah, 24, Employee. These people had suffered extreme forms of torture and were expected to have had their sentences passed earlier last year. However, their bodies carried all the visible signs of exhaustion and torture and hence the delay.
28 February:
An extremely dangerous development is the move by the government on 28 February to dissolve the Bar Society as punishment for inviting the pro-democracy leader, Dr. Monira Fakhro to speak in a seminar held last January. This is a dangerous development, which will completely change the local political situation. The Bar Society has defended itself from all types of government’s pressure, and this attack is meant to be a punishment for all dignified personalities.
FT: Henderson replaced
TheFinancial Times (20 February1998): “Bahrain spy chief replaced”: “Ian Henderson, the reclusive 70-year-old British head of Bahrain’s Intelligence Service blamed by Shia dissidents for the Sunni government’s repressive policies, has been replaced. His successor is Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, a member of the ruling Al Khalifa family, whose members hold all the key cabinet posts. Mr. Henderson, a former colonial intelligence officer in Kenya who made his name during the 1950s Mau Mau rebellion, was appointed in 1966 by Sheikh Isa. Although nominally under the control of the interior ministry, Mr. Henderson became a power in his own right with direct access to the ruler.
According to western diplomats Mr. Henderson had” long wanted to retire, and had only stayed at the urging of the ruler himself.” His departure is seen by many in both the minority Sunni and the Shia communities as the end of the colonial era; and according to Bahrain Freedom Movement in London, ” the end of an era of torture and repression.”
The New-York based Human Rights Watch recently castigated Bahrain for repeated violations of civil and political rights”.
Article 19 sends a letter to the Amir of Bahrain:
16 February 1998
His Excellency Shaikh Issa Salman Al-Khalifa
Office of His Highness the Emir
PO Box 555
The Amiri Court
Rifa’a Palace
Bahrain
Your Excellency,
ARTICLE 19, The International Centre Against Censorship, is extremconcerned about the continuing detention without charge or trial of Shaikh Abd Al-Amir Mansur Al -Jamri, a 60-year old writer and scholar.
According to our information, Shaikh Al-Jamri, a former member of Bahrain’s National Assembly, dissolved by the Amir in 1975, has been a prominent campaigner for the establishment of democracy in country during the January 1996 popular demonstrations.
On 20 January 1996, Shaikh Al-Jamri was arrested with eight other prominent Shi’a clerics and was jailed since his arrest, without charge or trial, under the 1974 State Security Law. Further information received by ARTICLE 19 recently indicates that Shaikh Al-Jamri suffers from sever illness which requires urgent medical attention.
ARTICLE 19 believes that Shaikh Al-Jamri is a prisoner of conscience and his contiimprisonment is a grave violation of his fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by international human rights law. We, therefor, demand that Shaikh Al-Jamri be immediately and unconditionally released and that his rights to freedom of political expression and peaceful assembly are guaranteed and respected.
Yours sincerely,
Frances D’Souza
Executive Director
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Amnesty International
URGENT ACTION
EXTERNAL
AI Index: MDE 11/01/98
12 February 1998
Further information on UA 26/96 (MDE 11/02/96, 2 February 1996) – Fear of torture/ Medical concern
New Concern: Fear of Medical neglect
Bahrain: Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri, aged 60
Shaikh Hassan Sultan
Shaikh ‘Ali ‘Ali ‘Ashour
Shaikh ‘Ali bin Ahmad al-Jeddhafsi
Shaikh Hussein al-Deihi
Hassan Meshema’a
Sayyed Ibrahim ‘Adnan al-Alawi
Abdul Wahab Hussein
According to reports, Shaikh ‘Abdu al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri, currently detained at al-Qal’a Prison in al-Manama, has at times been denied his regular supply of medicines required for his high blood pressure, back and respiratory problems. This is reportedly in order to force him to sign an undertaking that he will not engage in any political activity against the government if released. Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri is said to have refused to sign the undertaking. Amnesty International fears he may be at risk of further medical neglect.
Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri and the other seven above-named are prominent Muslim Shi’a leaders and religious figures detained without charge or trial since their arrests on 22 January 1996. Although they were originally held incommuicado it is now thout they are allowed visits from their families. Their arrests came at a time of mass arrests carried out by security forces in response to public demonstrations angry at the closure of mosques. Details regarding others detained are not available. Amnest International considers the above-named to be prisoners of conscience.
The eight leaders were also detained during periods of unrest in 1994-1995 and held without charge or trial until their release in September 1995.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In June 1997, Shaikh ‘Ali Mirza al-Nakkas, a blind Shi’a Muslim cleric, died in custody in al-Qal’a Prison. Although a spokesman for the Bahraini Ministry of the Interior reportedly attributed his death to respiratory problems there were reports suggesting medical neglect may have been the cause.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send telegrams/ telexes/ faxes/ express/ airmail letters in English, Arabic or in your own language:
– expressing concern at reports that Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri has been subjected to medical neglect;
- seeking assurnces that he and other detainees be granted access to full and proper medical care;
- calling for Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri and the other seven, arrested on 22 Januray 1996, to be released immediately and unconditionally as prisoners of concience.
APPEALS TO:
His Excellence
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Slaman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
P. O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telegrams: Prime Minister, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9336 PROM EN or 7889 PMPO BN
Faxes: ++ 973 533033
Salutation: Your Excellency
His Excellencey
Shaikh Muhammad Bin Khlifa Al Khailfa
Minister of Interior
P.O. Box 13, Al-Manama, Bahrain
Telegrams: Minister of Interior, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9572 PSMKT BN or 8333 ALAMAN BN
Faxes: ++ 973 276765 or 290526
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Bahrain accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 March 1998.
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Report by “Gulf State Newsletter”
Vol.: 23, No. 597, 9 February 1998
Divisions in Manama
Differences of view between Bahrain’s Crown Prince and the Prime Minister on how to deal with domestic opposition are becoming increasingly evident. The two men have recently been advocating opposing responses to the civil strife that continues to rock the emirate. Whereas Crown Prince and commander of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa now favours a dialogue with the opposition elements, his uncle, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is against any compromise with the dissidents.
It appears that it was the Prime Minister who was behind trials late last year of dissidents, in part, some Bahrainis allege, as a way of scuppering efforts by the Crown Prince to begin a rapprochement that could have eased tensions. The trial and conviction in absenti of eight dissidents may have been an international embarrassment for Bahrain but it certainly set back the chances of dialogue between the government and it opponents.
Relative Rivalry
According to Bahraini sources, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa (in office since 1971) was annoyed to learn that his nephew, Crown Prince Hamad, had approache the London-based activists of the Bahrain Freedom Movement (BFM) to explore ways of solving the unrest which broke out in December 1994.
When the demonstrations first began, Sheikh Hamad was among the leading proponents of a tough line against the state’s apponents. At one point, the Crown Prince ordered BDF troops onto the streets to cope with the domestic strife. Although only small units of special forces were deployed, the Crown Prince’s action led to fears – not realised – that martial law would be imposed.
More recently, however, the Crown Prince has changed his mind, opting for a solution to the problem through talk and negotiation. Sheikh Hamad’s change of heart reflects his belief that the hard-line policy promoted by his uncle, Sheikh Khalifa, is not at all the best means to attempt to put an end to the four-year old political struggle which has brought about the deaths of some forty people.
Talks
In the summer of 1997, Sheikh Hamad indicated a readiness to strart and indirect dialogue with officials from the BFM, the mainstream opposition group. Apparently, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, UAE president, encouraged the Bahraini Crown Prince to engage the BFM in talks. Shekh Hamad regularly visits Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE leader and Bahrain’s heir apparent share a common view about their sister GCC state, neighbouring Qatar. The two men continue to support the former ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. Late last year, commenting on a row between Doha and Cairo, Sheikh Zayed ridiculed Qatar, suggesting that its entire population could be housed in a hoter. For Sheikh Hamad, Bahrain’s perceived enemy is Qatar, reflecting the territorial disputes and the dynastic rivalry between the two countries.
Dialogue and Compromise
If dialogue and compromise with its domstic opposition is the way forward for Bahrain, this does not seem to be the route foavoured by the Prime Minister. So far, the stat’s methods of harsh crackdown on suspects, including collective punishment in areas where unrest has occurred, has merely produced and incresingly violent reaction. The Bahrain government’s charges of foreign influences creating domestic discontent are irrelevant concerning a solution to the problem. Clearly the government’s present policy has failed to quell the opposition.
Sheikh Hamad’s conversion of view reflects his desire to inheria stable and peaceful country. But to achieve this goal, the Crown Prince must first reach and accord with his powerful uncle. There are as yet no signs that Sheikh Khalifa thinks he should change his attitude to the dissidence. But, in Bahrain’s overall interest, it must be hoped that Sheikh Hamad can persuade the Prime Minister to shift from his hard-line stance.
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“Private Eye”
6 February 1998, Issue No. 943
Bahrain:
DAVID WILSHIRE, Tory MP for Spelthorne, achieved maximum publicity for his questions about what he calls government sleaze.
On 26 January he asked searching questions about the cost of new furniture at 10 and 11 Downing Street. He also asked about “the cost of partners being taken overseas by ministers”.
Can this be the same David Wilshire who went with his wife to the dictatorship of Bahrain last October? The visit was paid for by the Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, which specialises in freebies and perks for MPs who behave in a friendly way to the Bahraini dictators. Mrs. Wilshire was reported to be “delighted” with the gift of jewellery which she got from the emir there.
Meanwhile, as the jailing and torturing of dissidents in Bahrain plumbs new depths, the British parliament has made another mighty effort to establish good relations with the dictators. A cocktail party in the Commons on 27 January was well attended by various members of the Al Khalifa ruling family. Dr John Marek, Labour MP for Wrexham, gave the speech of welcome in which he praised the “historical relations linking Bahrain and Britain”, and formally set up a new British-Bahraini parliamentary association. (The Bahraini parliamenthas been dissolved since 1975).
The Bahraini foreign minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khalifa, replied with a gracious speech in which he urged MPs “to visit Bahrain and personally witness the security and stability there”. Dr Marek may well respond to this invitation. In October 1996, he visited Bahrain for four days at the expense of the Bahraini government.
Will visiting MPs see repreof the large growing Bahraini opposition? One answer to that question came in the House of Lords recently (28 January). Asked by Lord Avebury “if the foreign office offical who went to Bahrain in November saw any members of the democratic opposition and if so whether the British embassy in Manama have regular contact with any of those persons”, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean replied in the best traditions of “new” Labour’s ethical foreign policy.
“The visiting FCO official”, she said, “did not meet representative of the Bahraini opposition. Nor do the British embassy in Manama have contact with them”.
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It is worth noting what was reported by the Gulf Daily News of 5 February. The newspaper said that the government has allocated “$1 million” for an ” international media campaign” due to be launched this month. It also reported that a “delegation of British exhibition and conference organisers is due in Bahrain on 6 February to explore possibilities of bringing such events to the island”.
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Bahrain
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether, at his meeting with Crown Prince and Foreign Minister of Bahrain on 28 January, the Foreign Secretary referred to:
(a) the situation of five exiles who were recently convicted in absentia by the State Security Court in Bahrain;
(b) the attempt by Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, in September 1997 to open communications for mediation between the Bahraini Government and the representatives of the democratic opposition in the United Kingdom;
(c) the detention without trial of opposition leaders, including Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri; and
(d) the request made by the Committee for Popular Petition asking for a meeting with the Amir.[HL393]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): The discussions of my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary with the Bahraini Crown Prince and Minister of Foreign Affairs on 28 January covered many areas of mutual concern but focused mainly on the current situation in Iraq. Their discussion addressed the issue of constitutional development and, as I told the noble Lord in my Answer of 4 February, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of a dialogue between the Bahraini authorities and the Committee for Popular Petition.
11 Feb 1998
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A question on Bahrain in the UK Parliament – 4 February 1998
WRITTEN ANSWER
The Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government:
“Whether, in accordance with the Mission Statement of the Foreign and COffice and the Foreign Secretary’s speech Human rights into a New Century, they will urge the Government of Bahrain to release Sheikh Abdul Amir Al-Jamri, who has now been held in custody for two years without being charged or tried, and to enter into discussions with the Committee for Popular Petition on their demands for the restoration of the 1973 constitution and the 1974 Parliament, as requested in the Committee’s letter of 18th January”. [HL247]
ANSWER of the British Government:
BARONESS SYMONS OF VERNHAM DEAN
“As I told the noble Lord in my answer of 28 January, we have discussed Sheikh Al Jamri’s contiuing detention without charge with the Bahrainis authorities on a number of occasions. We have called on them to release or charge all those held in detention. We will continue to do so. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of a dialogue between the Bahraini authorities and the Committee for Popular Petition with the Crown Prince and Foreign Minister of Bahrain during their meeting on 28 January.” Ref – Vol: 585, Col: WA40
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Bahrain: A new wave of arbitrary arrest of citizens
Thirteen persons have been arrested within the past few days. The arrests came after a new wave of pro-democracy slogans and graffitti that have swept the country. Amongst the known to have been arrested are: from Isa town, Ali Al Huri, 19, Yousif Imran, 16, Muhammed Hamza, 20; from Barbar village, Seyed Hamid Seyed Khadim Ali, 23, Nidal Jassim Ahmed, 17, Seyed Musa Hamid Hashim, 17, Muhammed Abas Al Widae, 17, Diya Ali Ebrahim, 17, Hussain Muhammed Khalil, 22, Fahdil Isa Ramadan, 16.
The house of the newly released teenager, Ahmed Jassim Muhammed, 17, has been ransacked by the security forces, in an attempt to intimidate the teenager and his family after a detention of more than a month. Ali Muhammed Sabet and his sister were detained few days ago during a visit to their brother in a detention centre. The security guards tortured the detained brother in front of the visiting brother and sister. The guards then charged the visiting persons with attempting “to stop” the guards from performing their duties.
On 14 February 1998, tyres burning were seen at the main and south entrances of Bilad Al Qadim town which led to the closure of Sheikh Salman Highway for a period of time. Later on, the security forces raided the town and arrested Haji Saeed Ahmed while he was walking down the street. Later at night another raid was conducted in which the security forces ransacked the house of Mr. Abdul Aziz Habib,
24. The latter was arrested after being subjected to savage beating on the spot. On the same day, Seyed Amin Seyed Hussain Seyed Shubar, from Sitra town, has been arrested at noon while he was returning home from work. And on the 11 February, the secret police arrested Mr. Jaffar Abdul Ali, 24, from Markuban (Sitra), around 5: 30 at dawn while he was on his way to work.
A teenager, Muhammed Abdula, 17, from Isa town, was arrested a week ago. Mr Abdula had been arrested seven months ago and then released on the condition that he leaves the country to Kuwait. He stayed in exile for a month then returned only to be arrested again.
On 10 February 1998, the security forces have arrested three children from Arad village, the children are: Yousif Ali Hassan Al fulad, 12, Hassan Ali Al Fulad, 13, Ali Jaffar Khalil Al Bahrani, 13. They were all detained for allegedly writing pro-democracy slogans on walls.
The intelligence department headed by the notorious Ian Henderson has continued its abuse of human rights, which far exceeds the reputation of the leading human rights violators in recent history. The question now is whether the intelligence department could sustain it notoriety after Henderson retirement. Who would proclaim the position of Henderson is a matter of proficiency and qualifications in the architecture of torture. Whether it be a member of the Al Khalifa family or another mercenary is left to the Prime Minister to decide, as Henderson is believed to be on his way out.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
16 February 1998
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089
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Bahrain: Pro-democracy leaders versus dictatorship
The health of the jailed pro-democracy leader, Sheikh Al-Jamri, is deteriorating as a result of the recent policy by the Interior Ministry to prevent further supply of his medicine. International Pen “Writers in prison committee” sent an urgent letter to the Amir of Bahrain on 30 January saying that Sheikh Al-Jamri “hanow been hfor more than two years and latest reports indicate that his health has been poor and that he has been having treatment for a heart condition and high blood pressure… His continuing imprisonment, especially in light of his failing health, is a matter for general dismay and we urge you to order his immediate and unconditional release”.
The prodemocracy leader, Mohammed Jaber Sabah wrote another leading article in Al-Quds newspaper on 4 February defying government’s threats. The article identified the core issues and the cause of the political crisis, specifically the decision of the Amir to abandon the constitution. The pro-democracy leader clarified all the points by referring to the constitution and the decrees issued by the Amir. He concluded that the present unconstitutional state practice would not achieve any stability. The authorities had earlier interrogated Mr. Sabah.
On 1 February, the so-called Governor of the Capital and ex-torturer, Abdul Aziz Atteyat-Allah Al-Khalifa summonsed the President of Bahrain Bar Society, Dr. Abbas Helal and interrogated him about the seminar organized by the Society on 14 January, during which the pro-democracy leader Dr. Monira Fakhro and the journalist Mr. Hafedh Al-Sheikh criticized dictatorship and corruption in the country. The Interior Minister also attended the interrogation session. Dr. Helal was asked to write a statement noting down all details of the meeting. This demand is intended for intimidating the heroic lawyers. On the next day, another lawyer, Mr. Yousif Khalaf was summoned by the ex-torturer. A similar demand was made that Mr. Khalaf must write a report explaining details of the seminar.
On 27 January, the same Governor of the Capital and ex-torturer visited Mr Ahmed Mansoor Al-Halwachi and offer him to become a “Mukhtar” for Makharqa district of Manama. According to a recent unconstitutional decree, the state structure is to be divided into four regions. Each region is to have a Governor and the latter is to appoint fifteen “Mukhtar”. Such a “Mukhtar” is required to implement the policies of the Interior Ministry inside the community. Mr. Al-Halwach refused to accept the position of Mukhtar, and hence the ex-torturer contacted three other persons for the same purpose.
The British newspaper, The Mail-on-Sunday (1 February) revealed that the 20-year old Abdulla, son of the Housing Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa and the grandson of the Justice Minister, Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa, is one of the students of Sandhust military school, who is implicated in a bribe scandal. Three British army instructors are to be court-marshaled over claims of bribery and blackmail involving cash payments for passing exams. Abdulla claimed he “was foced to hand over money”.
5 February 1998
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089
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Home Thought: Rediscovering “As Soon As Possible”
When the Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa stood before the National Assembly (NA) to report the activities and achievements of his cabinet on 23 October 1974, he started with praising the members of the NA for their sincere endeavour to reinforce the basis and foundations of constitutionality through purposeful dialogue and constructive criticism. In his speech, he further emphasized how the NA had been a chief assistant and an incentive for the government towards a better future. He then assured the NA members of his commitment to always proceed forward with firm faith and confidence in the members.
Ten Months later, the NA had been dissolved and article (65) of the constitution suspended. The Prime Minister’s faith and confidence in the NA reached the point where he had to terminate its existence. Although the PM had not yet explained the contradiction but “a tree is known by its fruit”.
A year later, the PM assured the Kuwaiti Chief in Editor of the “Al-Seyasah” newspaper in an interview on 25 August 1976, issue 2940 that “the return of the parliamentary life in Bahrain had been under diligent study and consultation, and that it would be restored as soon as the study finishes”. Twenty-two years later, the PM is still studying the case.
His Highness received numerous awards and certificates from most renowned and distinguished world establishments, the last of which were the Resolution of UN. Sub- Commission on Human Rights, the European parliament resolution, the US. State Department Human Rights report, Amnesty International, and last but not least, Human Rights Watch. They unanimously certified with distinction that the State of Bahrain has become a fertile ground for human rights violations conducted by the PM and his associates. On this occasion, The opposition wishes not to miss the opportunity to award the PM A Doctorate in for his tremendous efforts to continue studying for more than 2 decades.
Around two months after the dissolution of the NA, the Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated in an interview with the Kuwaiti “Al-Seyaseh” newspaper on 9 December 1975, that ” The members of the parliament were waiting for a miracle to rescue them from the critical situation which the NA has fallen in during the discussion on the State Security Law, and the miracle has been fulfilled through the dissolution”. Then he went on to say ” In my opinion the NA members felt very relaxed about the dissolution”. Of course, what ever the Crown Prince says must be taken as a fact. Therefore, events have to be reinterpreted and it had to be said that an MP like Sheikh Abdul Amir Al-Jamri were pleased by the dissolution of the NA, so much so that he decided to take a long vacation in one of the solitary cells in one of the purpose-designed torture centres.
“As soon as possible” is the phrase the Crown prince had used to answer “Al-Seyaseh” newspaper’s reporter when requested to clarify when will the parliamentary life be restored. The Guinness Book of Records must be thrilled to add the longest ever “as soon as possible”.
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Bahrain: Opposition figure interviewed on reported dismissal of security head
Text of telephone interview with Ali Salman, a Bahraini opposition figure in London by Muhammad Kurayshan in Doha broadcast live by Qatari Al-Jazirah satellite TV on 28th February (Source: BBC Monintoring Service).
[Kurayshan] Good evening, Mr Salman. How do you view the dismissal of [Bahrain’s Security Chief] Ian Henderson?
[Salman] So far, the picture is not clear. The only certain development is that one of the ruling family members has been appointed director of the state intelligence service. This was one of Ian Henderson’s previous duties, among the other duties he has been assuming at the Interior Ministry. The dismissal is not certain as yet. A week ago, Ian Henderson was at the inauguration of an Interior Ministry centre. He was accompanying the interior minister.
[Q] Perhaps this is because of reports that he kept his position as an adviser to the interior minister.
[A] That is possible. No doubt the opposition pressure and the continuous nationalist demands over many years are working in this direction, forcing the state to make some formal changes. We are aware that there are more than 30 foreigners, British and other nationalities, managing the security apparatus. These are led by Ian Henderson.
[Q] It may be worth noting that Henderson’s dismissawas one of your persistent demands, but when this took place we noted that your reaction was lukewarm as though the event was not so important to you perhaps.
[A] For one thing, we are not certain of the resignation. For another, the presence of the other foreigners dampened our jubilation. The continuous violent practices – we receive daily reports about new torture victims – reduce our joy in this regard. All these things make the opposition statements devoid of joy.
[Q] Mr Salman, do you have any information, however rudimentary, about the character of Shaykh Khalid Bin Muhammad Bin Salman Al Khalifah? Do you believe that his attitude differs from the one you referred to a short while ago?
[A] The first observation is that the current appointments are confined to the ruling family. In addition to Khalid Bin Muhammad, a family member has also been appointed as governor of Muharraq and another as governor of Manama. This orientation indicates ill intentions towards the people and failure to recognize the abilities of other citizens in general. All we wish is that this new appointee will offer positive initiatives on the ground. There are 2,000 detainees concerning whom he needs to take action. There are daily reports on torture victims. We need to see indications so that we could give an impression about this person. However, we the opposition have the general impression that this policy, regrettably, is adopted at the highest political levels in the country.
[Q] If Shaykh Khalid takes initto calm the atmosphere with the opposition, will you respond positively?
[A] The opposition will respond positively to any positive step so as to arrive at a state of genuine stability in the country and discuss the Bahraini people’s political demands. Any positive step will be reciprocated by positive steps on the part of the opposition.
[Kurayshan] Ali Salman, the Bahraini oppositionist from London, Thank you very much.
Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel, Doha, in Arabic 2150 gmt 28 Feb 98 (BBC Mon ME1 MEPolrs)
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Bahrain: Demonstration on the highway; “Quickie-Trials”; Children tortured
Scores of citizens marched along the main Budaya Highway near Daih and Jedhafs on 26 February, around 6.30 pm. The youths raised placards and chanted slogans demanding an end to repression, release of jailed leaders and political prisoners, and restoration of the dissolved parliament. One of the placards carried a slogan written in Arabic and English saying “We are not terrorists; We seek political reforms”. Other placards called for the immediate release of the jailed leader, Sheikh Al-Jamri. Traffic was brought to a halt on the main highway as demonstrators marched with bravery.
The so-called “High Council for Islamic Affair” contacted the persons in-charge of mosques in Muharraq and ordered restrictions aimed at confiscating the rights of the citizens to practice their religion. One of the youths, Ali Al-Nasooh, was accused of violating the order and had been detained under the provisionof the State Security . Another elderly person by the name Haji Abdul Razzaq had been summoned for interrogation and intimidation.
The State SecuriCourt would be holding three “quickie” sessions to pass long prison terms against 16 persons who had been arrested in 1996. The first session was initially scheduled for Saturday 28 February. The sixteen persons are Ali Darwish, 28, Engineer; Seyed Mohammed, 27, Programmer; Mohammed Ali, 25, Teacher; Seyyed Fadhil Shubbar, 29, Teacher; Ali Salman, 30, Teacher; Seyyed Saeed AMajid, 30, Employee; Abdulla, 35, Employee; Farhad Khorshid, 30, Employee;, Yousif Habib, 28, Employee; Mohsin Al-Sheikh, 35, Manager; Ali Al-Mestani, 30, Employee; Jamil Jawahiri, 27, Shop-owner; Ismael Khalil, 21, Fisherman; brother of Ismael Khalil, 25; Mahdi Saleh, 23, Employee; Ali Masha-Allah, 24, Employee. These people had suffered extreme forms of torture and were expected to have had their sentences passed earlier last year. However, their bodies carried all the visible signs of exhaustion and torture and hence the delay.
On 21 February, security forces attacked two families in Samahij and snatched two children: Jaffer Naser Ahmad, 13, Mohammed Hussain Ahmad Al-Yas, 13. The two children were tortured severely as they were being snatched from their families. An eyewitness said “a brick was used for hitting the child Jaffer”. On 23 February, the security forces re-attacked and snatched the following: Abdul-Elah Yousif, 16, Ali Habib, 14, Saleh Atteya, 13, Yaser Abdulla Khalil, 13. On 24 February, another child by the name Mohammed Salman was also arrested.
Four teenagers who had been arrested from Duraz several months ago are believed to be suffering from ill-treatment and torture in the Airport Prison (all prisons are being used because of overcrowding). Khalid Al-Wazzan firstly tortured the four. They are Seyyed Hadi Saeed, 17, Sadiq Hayat, 17, Sadiq Saleh, 17, Ali Al-Rayyes, 16. The following teenagers were arrested in Duraz last week: Hussain Sheikh Abbas, 17, Sadiq Al-A’adab,18, Seyyed Alawi Mahdi, 17, Mosa Jaffer Al-Madani, 17.
BFM
27 February 98
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Published Saturday, February 21, 1998, in the Miami Herald
Tiny Gulf island is not-so-secret U.S. arms base
By JUAN O. TAMAYO
Herald Staff Writer
MANAMA, Bahrain — Officially, there are no U.S. warplanes or pilots preparing to bomb Iraq on this Persian Gulf island. According to local maps, the runway the Americans use every day isn’t there, either.
So when U.S. military officers are asked exactly where the 36 bombers and fighters here are based, they usually give the kind of ungraceful reply that comes with denying the obvious.
“Where are we deployed? How can we say this? Let me think. This is awkward,” said one U.S. military spokeswoman. “Maybe. No. Maybe we can just say we’re in the Gulf region?”
Tightly leashed by a privately cooperative, but publicly aloof, Bahraini government, the U.S. military buildup here is an official-yet-widely-known secret.
“Americans? They’re at the Sheikh Isa airport,” said taxi driver Marwan Zadjali, referring to the Bahraini Air Force’s lone base on the southern tip of the desert island off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
For the record, Information Minister Mohammed Mutawa said Tuesday that Bahrain “will not allow its lands to be used for any military action” to hit Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s chemical and biological weapons sites.
Bahrain’s internal politics complicate its traditionally friendly relations with the West. The majority of its people are Shias, also known as Shiites, who are poor and follow the Muslim sect predominant in Iran. The Shias generally are opposed to the U.S. military presence in the Gulf and to U.S. threats to bomb Iraq. They also are increasingly chafing under the rule of the rich Sunni elite, protected by the government of Sheik Isa bin Sulman Khalifa.
“It’s time to sail under a flag of caution,” said a Bahraini government official. “It’s not like the war in 1991, when everyone was against Saddam.”
But under that thin veil of discretion, this New York City-sized island has become a nerve center for U.S. preparations for a possible air attack on Iraq.
The U.S. Air Force buildup consists of 24 F-16 jet fighters, 12 F-15s, three B1-B supersonic bombers on their first-ever combat deployment, and four KC-135 aerial tankers. The Army has moved in a battery of Patriot air-defense missiles.
Bahrain also is the lone land base for the U.S. Navy armada in the Gulf region, which now totals two aircraft-carrier battle groups with more than 20 other combat ships, many of them armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, and another 90 strike aircraft.
The growing U.S. military presence is largely invisible in Manama, a slow-paced city of high- rise office buildings and comfortable homes built on wealth from the first oil strike in the Gulf, back in 1932, and now a financial and banking center.
The hotels are jammed with Americans — younger men and women who seem to disappear at night and pass their days sleeping at poolside or pumping iron at the gym.
American troops are not allowed to wear their uniforms in public except on rare occasions, for discretion as well as security, and they move around town in leased civilian cars or tour buses.
“You never see them in the newspapers, never on the television. But go to any bar and they are full of young Americans with bad haircuts,” said one European diplomat.
Bahrain is not alone in its insistence on secrecy. Oman and the United Arab Emirates are quietly hosting a fleet of KC-135 tanker planes to refuel warplanes on their way into and out of Iraq, one diplomat said.
Such efforts to avoid the limelight are not new to Bahrain, which regularly admitted foreign journalists in the 1980s to cover the naval side of the Iran-Iraq war but made them promise not to report where they were.
The U.S. Navy’s complex here, which has been in the same part of the port of Juffair since 1971, is not called a base but rather an “Administrative Support Unit” (ASU) or simply “the installation” or “the facility.”
Navy headquarters for the Gulf in the 1980s were officially aboard the command ship USS LaSalle, because of Bahraini anxiety over their image, until the commanders were allowed in 1993 to move into a suite of ASU offices.
Bahrain’s Sheik Isa air force base, built with U.S. military aid and finished just in time to serve as a base for U.S. warplanes during the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991, is not on any publicly available map.
There’s certainly nothing official about Camp Trueheart, the tent city home to most of the 1,500 soldiers in the 347th Air Expeditionary Wing, the Air Force combat group ordered to the Middle East in November to prepare for a possible strike on Iraq.
U.S. diplomats and military commanders praise the Bahraini government’s cooperation with the American buildup and say they understand their hosts’ desire to keep a low profile.
When the deputy commander of the 347th wing, Air Force Col. Stephen D. Alderman, was asked during an interview in a Bahrain hotel exactly where his planes and troops were, he sidestepped the question with aplomb.
“We are,” he said, pausing for effect, “in a region that the Air Force calls Southwest Asia.”
Published Saturday, February 21, 1998, in the Miami Herald
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