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July 1999

Key facts about the trial of Sheikh Al-Jamri

On 7 July, the State Security Court issued one the harshest sentences against the pro-democracy leader, Sheikh Al-Jamri. The unconstitutional court was headed by a member of the ruling family, Abdul-Rahman bin Jaber Al-Khalifa with a panel of two Egyptian judges: Ali Mansoor and Mohammed Ra’afat Mostafa Barghash. The court sentenced Sheikh Al-Jamri to 10 years imprisonment and $15 m fine.

* On 21 February, the first session was held. During this 40-minute session, the prosecutor general read five charges against Sheikh Al-Jamri:

1. The crime of communicating with those who work for a foreign country.

2. The crime of directing an illegal organisation aiming to overthrow the government by force.

3. The crime of inciting saboteur

4. The crime of inciting sabotage that led to destruction of propertied and endangered the safety of people.

5. The crime of broadcasting false news and rumours aimed at intimidating the State.

The trial was held behind closed doors at the new building of the State Security Court in Jaw, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, Manama. More than 12 international organisation requested to send observers, but the authorities failed to answer any of them. Sheikh Al-Jamri pleaded innocent to the five charges and told the court: ”All I ask for is parliament and I am not a criminal.”

* The second session was scheduled for the 7th of March, but the death of the late Amir a day earlier resulted in its postponement.

* The lawyers of Sheikh Al-Jamri have been informed on 29 June that the second session of Sheikh Al-Jamri trial before the State Security Court will resume on Sunday 4 July.

* 4 July: A 45-minute session was held. The defence presented four witnesses falsifying the claims of the government.

* 4 July 1999: MANAMA, Bahrain (Dow Jones)–Bahrain’s state security court Sunday adjourned until Tuesday the trial of the Shiite opposition leader, Sheik Abdul-Amir al-Jamri, who is charged with spying and inciting unrest in the country, his lawyer told Dow Jones Newswires.

The lawyer, Abdul-Shaheed Khalaf, said the court listened to four defense witnesses Sunday and decided to hear the final defense argument Tuesday, July 6.

Al-Jamri’s trial resumed earlier in the day, five months after the first hearing in February.

Al-Jamri had recently spent three weeks in solitary confinement, further fueling rumors that he would be released this week, said Abdul-Shaheed Khalaf, one of al-Jamri’s lawyers.

Al-Jamri’s wife Zahra Attiyah who attended Sunday’s session with three of their children, said the solitary confinement had exhausted her husband who already suffered from shortness of breath and high blood pressure.

“His health is frail, I hope he’s released soon,” Attiyah said.

Al-Jamri’s first hearing was held in February and adjourned until March, but the death of Bahrain’s late Emir, Sheik Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the three-month mourning period that followed pushed it to July 4.

* 6 July: A 5-minute third session was held. The prosecutor general submitted a written reply. The reply contained harsh insults against Sheikh Al-Jamri. The session was adjourned to the next day.

* 7 July: The final session lasted less than 5 minutes. The defence submitted a reply to the submission of the prosecutor general. The judges received the reply, and before reading any of it, the presiding judge read the harsh sentence of 10 years imprisonment and $15 m fine.

* MANAMA, July 7 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s State Security Court on Wednesday sentenced a prominent Shi’ite Moslem cleric, Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri, to 10 years in jail, his lawyer said.

Sheikh Jamri, a member of the parliament which was dissolved by the government in 1975, was detained in 1996 on charges of spying for a foreign country, running an illegal group, fanning unrest and circulating false news.

“He (Sheikh Jamri) was sentenced to 10 years. The court’s ruling was final,” defence lawyer Abdul-Shahid Khalif told Reuters. Sheikh Jamri, 62, was also ordered to pay 5.7 million dinars ($15 million) in damages. Verdicts by the State Security Court cannot be appealed. The international writers’ group PEN wrote last week to Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa asking for Sheikh Jamri’s release.

* 7-8 July: Outrage and civil protests proliferate after sentencing Sheikh Al-Jamri. The people of people were outraged after hearing the verdict issued by the unconstitutional State Security Court. The total time for all the four sessions is less than two hours. The last two sessions lasted less than five minutes each.

The court refused to allow any independent observer to attend the trial and refused to accept the evidence of any non-Shia citizen so as to preserve the plot of the Interior Ministry. The latter strove to depict the pro-democracy movement as a Shia one sponsored by Iran. Within two minutes of the fourth session, the judged announced the politically motivated sentence of ten years and a fine of $15 millions.

* 8 July: People gathered around the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri on the afternoon of 8 July upon hearing that he would be released. In the evening, Bahrain TV showed Sheikh Al-Jamri reading a letter in front of the leading members of the ruling Al-Khalifa family. In an attempt to humiliate Sheikh Al-Jamri, the torturers at the Ministry of Interior offered him the options of remaining in his solitary confinement or being released after pledging to keep silent. With ill-health, Sheikh Al-Jamri was forced to give an undertaking to keep a low-profile on the political scene He had suffered immensely with torturers using all inhuman ways to ill-treat him.

Upon hearing the weak voice of Sheikh Al-Jamri on TV, several residential areas went out in demonstrations. In Sitra, the foreign-staffed security forces deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against the citizens. In Karzakkan, the security forces mounted several attacks and arrested scores of people.

* On 9 July, all entries to Bani Jamra, the residential area of Sheikh Al-Jamri were blocked. The quarter where Sheikh Al-Jamri resides is under a tight security siege with security forces deployed in many places.

No visitors were allowed to see Sheikh Al-Jamri and the family of Sheikh Al-Jamri has been threatened of grave consequences if they spoke to the outside media.

A spokesperson for the BFM said “the government may have silenced Sheikh Al-Jamri, but all the people consider his silence as a motivating factor for further civil efforts to put an end the on-going repression”.

* The authorities are imposing this siege to prevent people from meeting with Sheikh Al-Jamri, while the government’s controlled media continued their misinformation and smearing campaign. The oppression suffered by Sheikh Al-Jamri is igniting anger and frustration amongst the population. More information has come to light as to the extent of torture suffered by Sheikh Al-Jamri.

The ill-treatment started to intensify in March 1998 and continued until the last day of his release. He was firstly placed in a solitary confinement, deprived of sleeping, and threatened of indecent assault against his family.

The conditions were: not to speak to the outside media, not to deliver any speech demanding parliament, and to stop teaching students at the mosque in front of his house.

When Sheikh Al-Jamri agreed to these condition, the torturers said the prime minister was insisting that the trial must go ahead. Showing Sheikh Al-Jamri on TV on 8 July was aimed at humiliating the entire population, which the ruling family treats with disdain.

It was also aimed at breaking the will of the broadly-based pro-democracy movement. However, neither the showing on TV nor the siege imposed on Sheikh Al-Jamri had worked for the government. The gloomy situation is spreading all over the country and many have come to the conclusion that this regime is up to no good.

Bahrain: A tortured child in hospital; security forces unleash a campaign of terror

A 17-year old boy from Abo-Gowa, Ahmad Marzooq Yousif, is in a critical condition following a week of torture. He was arrested around 22 July alongside four other children and had been taken for a torturing session in Budaya Police Station. The boy had been transferred to hospital (from detention) following the deterioration of his health at the hand of the torturers.

On 29 July, the security forces attacked Qurayya and arbitrarily detained three children: Seyyed Ahmad Nazar Alawi, Seyyed Habeeb Fakher and Mohammed Idrees Mansoor. The children were playing outdoors when a contingent of the mercenary security forces attacked the area.

The siege against Bani-Jamra (where Sheikh Al-Jamri resides) is entering its fourth week. Sheikh Al-Jamri was admitted to hospital on 31 July for an operation on his left ear. He suffered psychological and physical torturing during his solitary confinement for more than three years. The pain in his left ear deprives him from sleeping. Last week, the Bahrain International Hospital was ordered (by the intelligence department) to evict Sheikh Al-Jamri without treatment. As the pain increased, he had to be transferred for an operation.

On 26 July: Sheikh Ali bin Ahmad Al-Jedhafsi, Sheikh Ali Al-Saddadi and Seyyed Adnan Al-Durazi were released from detention. The first one was detained alongside Sheikh Al-Jamri in January 1996.

On the other hand both Sheikh Hussain Al-Akraf and Sheikh Hussain Al-Saem were transferred to solitary confinement. Sheikh Hussain Al-Akraf was released few weeks ago after spending more than three years in detention without trial. Following his release, the government-controlled newspapers falsified statements of “apology” on his behalf. Two weeks after this publication, the security forces raided his house and re-detained him.

The prime minister has re-established his grip on power and has therefore wasted no time for unleashing a terror campaign by his security forces. Many dignitaries are being telephoned by the intelligence department and by others close to the prime minister only to be ordered to pay visits to the prime minister, otherwise they risk retribution for not doing so.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

31 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Scores of children arrested; Ethnic cleansing to start in September

The security forces have been ordered to resume their atrocities against the people of Bahrain. This follows a calming g down period following the death of the late Amir. The mercenary-staffed security forces have conducted many dawn raids and arbitrary detained citizens (including children) across the country.

Last week, the following children were arbitrarily detained in Bilad al-Qadim: Ahmad Mirza Ahmad, 14, Mahmood Jaffer Hassan, 15, Ali Hassan Mubarak, 14, and his brother Mahmood, 13, Ali Abdul Nabi Jumaa, 14, Malik Abdul Jalil Abdulla, 13, Ali Abdul Karim, 12, Seyyed Qasim Saeed Mohammed, 15, Maitham Ali Hassan, 10. The children were taken to Al-Khamis Police Station and tortured by the notorious officer Khalid Al-Wazzan. They were released on 22 July following several days of ordeal.

Three children remained in the hands of the torturers and are believed detained in solitary cells. They are Sadiq Ali Hassan, 15, Hassan Ali Mahdi, 14 and Ibrahim Abdul Jabbar Al-Durazi.

On 21 July, the foreign security forces re-launched another attack against Bilad al-Qadim and detained several people including a 15-year old child: Seyyed Jaber Ali Al-Mosawi.

On 22 July the security forces besieged Al-Hoora Cemetery in Manama and prevented people from approaching the area. People have surged towards the area in response for a call to declare solidarity with the besieged Sheikh Al-Jamri by visiting the graves of martyrs slaughtered by the interior ministry.

Forcible deportation:

Seyyed Aqil Ahmad Mahfood, from Sar, was prevented from entering his homeland. He was detained upon his arrival at the airport on 21 July. Later on, he was forced on a plane bound to Iran and ordered to leave his native country. The government of Bahrain is the only “national” government in the world that forcibly deports its citizens, while at the same time it imports mercenaries from abroad and grants them full citizenship.

Ethnic cleansing:

Moreover, there are some 15-20 thousand people who were born in Bahrain and served the country but are now being forcibly evicted from Bahrain. These people are called Ajam (a section of the cosmopolitan Bahrain whose grandfathers have come from Iran over a century ago). A new governmental order is now in place and will be effective from the beginning of September 1999.

The governmental order discriminates against this section of Bahrain society in all walks of life. As from September, the children of this section will be prevented from all public schools. They will all be denied any medical care. If anyone of them needs an emergency treatment, he or she must pay 2 dinars ($6) as an entry fee.

They will have to pay 100 dinar ($267) for any newly born baby. They will only be issued with a one-way travel document that takes out of Bahrain. They will be prevented from purchasing any land and will be evicted from any employment. Most of these people live in Seqaya (Manama), Dafnah (near Salmanya, Manama), Bin Ali Quarter in Muharraq, Mushber Quarter in Manama, and Halah Quarter in Muharraq.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

25 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: A wave of dawn raids around the country

The siege imposed on the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri continues and people who are not residing in Bani Jamra can not access the area by car. Security forces block all roads leading to Bani Jamra. Some journalists attempted to reach the area but were turned away. Sheikh Al-Jamri has been re-admitted to hospital for another round of treatment. His left ear is suffering from extreme pain and it has now confirmed the he had been beaten on his head and his ear’s pain is a direct consequence of the physical torture sessions he had been subjected to. On 20 July, many people switched off lighting to declare their solidarity with Sheikh Al-Jamri

It has also been reported that the Intelligence Department has opened an office at Budaya Police Station (near Bani Jamra) and the torturer Farooq Al-Ma’awdeh has been given extra authorities to detain and torture people in the north-west region of Bahrain.

Around Bahrain, wall-writing intensified and many people have been arrested. On 21 July, at 3.00 am, a 17-year old Ali Jasim Ali was arrested in Karbabad. Later, at 8.45 am, the security forces brought him back to Karbabad in an exhausted condition and ordered him to write slogans on the wall while being video-taped.

On 22 July, at 1.30 am, another round of dawn raids was conducted in Karbabad. This time the mercenary security forces attached two houses and arrested Hussain Saeed Jasim, 17, and Seyyed Ahmad Saeed Al-Alawi, 18. It is worth noting that the latter had recently been released after eight months of detention and torture without charges or trial.

Similarly, the security forces raided several houses in Kharjeyya (Sitra) and arrested the following people: Atteya, 22, Saeed Hamid, 22 and his brother Ibrahim Hamid, 24. The foreign forces also attacked Abo-Gowa and arrested Ahmad Marzooq Yousif, 17, Moslem Ahmad Al-Tayyar, 18, Ahmad Marhoon, 17, Ammar Abdul Jalil Ahmad, 17, and Jaffer Ahmad Madan, 17.

The following people (from Sitra) were acquitted by the State Security Court last month after having spent more than three and half years in detention. The interior ministry refused to release them after their acquittal. Instead they were released following the false claims of a royal pardon as part of the tasteless package of “Amiri Gratitude”. They are: Mohammed Fardan, 18 (he was less than 15 yeas old when arrested), Yousif Ahmad, 24, Isa Al-Khayyat, 24, Khalil Al-Gamish, 22, Yaser Sleil, 22, Yaser Al-Aali, 22.

All these arrests confirm that the recent statements made by the new Amir about the implementation of radical reforms were no more than empty slogans that seem to have expired.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

23 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Middle East International, July 1999 Bahrain: Opposition leader freed By Simon Taggart, London If the sentencing and release one day later of Bahrain’s leading opposition figure, Shaikh Abd Al Amir Al Jamri, was meant as a signal to campaigners for a return to constitutional rule, it was misjudged: they understood neither the intent nor motivation behind the move. On 7 July, a three-judge security panel sentenced the 62-year-old Shi’ite clergyman and former MP to ten years in prison and a fine of 5.7m dinars ($15m) for working for a foreign power and inciting unrest. The following morning members of his family were summoned by the prime minister, giving a dressing down, and told Jamri would be conditionally released that evening. The condition was for him to make a public statement asking for a pardon. He was freed and received rapturously by thousands of well-wishers in his village of Bani Jamra. Presumably the idea was that the regime could only show clemency if it had confession of sorts. To free a sick man held in isolation for three and a half years on remand without a confession would have looked like weakness, especially given the interest the international human rights lobby has shown in the case. But who initiated the release? The official version is that the order came from the late Amir, Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, who died four months ago. Then who carried it after the conviction, the new Amir- still unknown quantity as regards the movement for the restoration of the elected parliament scrapped in 1975-or his uncle, hard-line Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa? The answer is important because it indicates who is calling the shots. Oppositionists in Bahrain and in exile confess that they don’t know and suggest that attributing the move to the departed ruler could be a away of disguising responsibility. There are two conflicting interpretations of the release in opposition circles, a Manama-based veteran pro-democracy campaigner said the release was a significant move towards the improving of the political situation which hopefully indicated that calls for a return for a constitutional rule are now “getting through to the correct channels” rather than being blocked by the prime minister. ” we are very eager to sit with the Amir. There is a bright future for dialogue, ” he told MEI, adding that the opposition was willing to be “very flexible” if the Amir reinstated the constitution – such as agreeing to postpone elections for up to 18 months after restitution. But he said the opposition had received “no clear signals” that the Amir sought dialogue and was planning another letter to request a meeting with him. The reaction from the exiled oppositionists has been more skeptical. A spokesman for the Bahrain Freedom Movement emphasised that the repression by the security forces is continuing, not only against active oppositionists but more generally against the villagers where the majority Shi’ite population lives. The periodic freeing of prisoners, assiduously publicised by the government, is explained no more as the usual release rate of detainees dressed up to impress human rights organisations. The opposition maintains that there are 15,00 detainees, while the government talks of under 400. BFM’s spokesman said he would ” still like to believe the release of Jamri is intended to be part of a reconciliation process”, but he doesn’t. A simple release without humiliation a” confession” would have built trust, he said. But with continuing attacks on the opposition by security forces and the official media, “I see no reason to be optimistic” about the likelihood of dialogue, he said, noting this analysis was shared by other sections of the opposition. But the BFM has yet to give up on the new Amir. It is not calling for another upsurge of mass protests and hoping for the international pressure in support for the call for a return to constitutional rule.

However, if the position of Britain as a former colonial power is a measure of international pressure, the authority can rest easy. Speaking recently in London, the new foreign office minister responsible for the Middle East, Geoff Hoon, showed no inclination to press for reform in Bahrain. He talked of more than one path to democracy, without recognising that Bahrain had experienced a brief period of parliamentary democracy in the 1970s before the Assembly was shut down. And questioned about human rights abuses, he said visits to Bahrain by groups such as Amnesty International were “a safeguard”.

From: Lord Avebury, London                                  To: Sheikh Al-Jamri, Bahrain ‎July 19, 1999 Dear Sheikh al-Jamri, It was an enormous relief to hear that, after the barbaric sentence passed on you by the State Security Court, you were released after all, though I am aware that you had to pay a heavy price for your liberty. You had already suffered a horrible ordeal for your principles, and so I think you will have the strength to bear this further unjust punishment, particularly now that you are reunited with your family. The sacrifices you have made for the people of Bahrain are certain to bear fruit in the end. Hereditary dictatorships survive only in a few countries, and these systems are inefficient as well as outdated in this age of democracy. I believe that Bahrain cannot remain insulated from the rest of the world in a little cocoon of reaction, but the leadership that you have shown has brought change closer. Your firm example of peaceful resistance has inspired in the people the consciousness of democracy and human rights, and that cannot be extinguished by repression. I fervently hope that others may have the wisdom to recognise that power must be transferred to the people, that reform is inevitable, and that it should come about through dialogue. Eric Avebury House of Lords

London

Bahrain: The all mercenary Naional Guards will soon be in action

The government of Bahrain announced on Sunday 18 July, that it was studying a “draft law by decree” of issuing the National Guard Law. The late Amir issued a decree on 7 January 1997, establishing the “National Guard”. The purpose of the National Guard was stated as a security shield for the Public Security Forces. According to the Bahraini constitution no law may be promulgated unless it has been passed by the National Assembly. The National Guards (who are being trained by the British SAS) were staffed by mercenaries hired from Syria, Jordan and Yemen. Bahrain is the only country in the world that has an all mercenary military and paramilitary units. The international community condemned practices of any government and adopted a convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have already ratified this convention, while the government of Bahrain is refusing to do so. Moreover, the government is granting full citizenship to most of the mercenaries, while at the same time it forcibly exiles the Bahraini indigenous people. On the occasion of the Bahraini Amir’s visit to France, the French newspaper “Le Monde” published an article by Muna Na’im on 17 July titled “the Bahraini opposition calls for respect of liberties”. The writer interviewed Dr. Saeed Shehabi of Bahrain Freedom Movement. “The new Amir did not begin his tenure with a new political approach in the country”, said Dr. Shehabi. The government refuses to publish a list of those released, most of who had spent may years in detention or have completed their sentences. He said that “the release of Shaikh Al Jamri was as a result of intensive international pressure on the government of Bahrain”. The writer also refereed to a letter by the opposition to the Bahrain Amir urging him to release all prisoners, ending of torture, return of all exiled and restoration of constitution and parliament. The French news agency quoted a spokesperson of the BFM on 17 July reiterating the just demands. The London-based newspaper Al Quds published an article on Saturday 17 July for Dr. Omran Hassan Mohammed, a member of the Kuwait Institute for Science Research, titled ” the reasons for the release of Shaikh Al Jamri”. Dr. Mohammed said “international condemnation and economical difficulties in Bahrain were behind the government’s decision to release Al Jamri. The struggle of the people of Bahrain against repression and intimidation by the government has paid off. He mentioned that while Kuwaitis and Qataris are celebrating democracy, the Bahrainis are mourning their stolen freedom.” On 17 July, the Danish Rights and Youths Organisation issued a statement of solidarity with the Bahraini people. The statement said that “we the Danish Rights and Youth Organisation are convinced of the just demands of the people of Bahrain for democracy and the restoration of the constitution and parliament, the independence of the judiciary and civil society in Bahrain”. Also, in Denmark, Radio Sawt Al-Arab interviewed a member of the Bahraini opposition, Mr. Hani Al-Rayis. Mr. Al Rayis said regarding the release of Al Jamri that “it was obvious that the Bahraini regime had to release Shaikh Al-Jamri after he spent three years in jail and this is the period prescribed by the unconstitutional State Security Law. The government released him because it was under strong international pressure to do so”. Shaikh Issa Qasim, a prominent opposition figure urged the Bahraini government on Friday 16 July, to respect the will of the people and to show its good intentions by initiating dialogue with the people in accordance with the constitution of the country. Writings on the walls are proliferation again with slogans condemning the repressive mentality of the government. The residents of Sanabis switched off lighting on Sunday night (18 July) and several loud explosions (gas cylinder sound-explosion) were heard on the evening. The people are frustrated and fed-up from hearing the medieval language used by the tribal autocracy.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 19 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

BAHRAIN 8:7:99

Mr Jeremy Corbyn, MP

Motion at the British House of Commons

That this House condemns the 10 year jail sentence and 15 million dollar fine handed out by the Bahrain State Security Court to CPP member and human rights activist Sheikh Al-Jamri on 7th July; notes that Amnesty International recognised him as a prisoner-of-conscience and that he is also a prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric, former judge and member of the parliament
which was illegally dissolved by the Bahrain Government in 1975; deplores the fact that, despite appeals by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations to observe his trial, Sheikh Al-Jamri was tried in-camera in the Bahrain State Security Court with no right of appeal before a judge who is a member of Bahrain’s ruling royal family; notes that his release from prison has only been as a result of huge international pressure; and calls on Her Majesty’s Government to press the Government in Bahrain to release immediately the other opposition leaders who are still in jail in Bahrain and to solve the ongoing political crisis by reinstating all elements of the Bahraini constititution.

Bahrain: The opposition re-confirms its demands and approach While the siege on the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri continues, people gathered in mosques on Friday 16 July and denounced the atrocities of the government. Th siege around Bani Jamri is enforced through checkpoints equipped and manned by plain-cloth officers, anti-riot police and special forces. The intimidation of Sheikh Al-Jamri is now stirring the situation contrary to what the government aspired for. Leading opposition figures issued statement clarifying their positions. A delegation from the Committee for Popular Petition managed to penetrate the siege and visited Sheikh Al-Jamri to state their position towards the attempts of the government to intimidate him. They vowed to continue their peaceful approach for reforms. Sheikh Isa Qassim praised Sheikh Al-Jamri and called on the people to stand firm in such a critical phase. Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Nuaimi, Mr. Ahmad Al-Thawadi, Dr. Abdul Hadi Khalaf and Mr. Abdul Nabi Al-Ekri have also sent letters expressing their denunciation of the government’s attempt to intimidate Sheikh Al-Jamri. They re-affirmed that the pro-democracy movement will continue demanding the restoration of constitutional rights and that the sacrifices -to date- of Sheikh Al-Jamri have contributed to the consolidation of these demands amongst the nation. Local pamphlets were distributed calling on people to declare their solidarity by switching-off lighting on Monday evening (19 July) and to stay in-door.

Human Rights Violation

The government continued its repressive campaign. Sheikh Sadiq Al-Durazi and Mr. Jaffer Islami had both been transferred to solitary confinement. Their health has deteriorated as the summer temperature peaked to 50 degrees centigrade. The solitary cells are without air-conditioning and have no windows. Others who are being held for more than 3 years without charges and who have been subjected to torturous conditions include: Haji Ali Al-Ekri, Mr, Abbas Sahwan, Sheikh Hamid, Sheikh Hamza Al-Hawwaj and Abu-Hassan Al-Beladi. The security forces attacked Abo-Gowwa on 14 July and arrested six people who happened to be outside their homes. Sheikh Hussain Al-Akraf, who had just been released after more than 3 year in detention, was re-detained and is now subjected to ill treatment. It is worth noting that the government reported the release of Sheikh Al-Akraf and attributed comments to him saying, “he was sorry”. Then the security forces attacked his house and re-arrested him.

The Economist, July 17 1999

The Economist of 17 July published an analytical piece about Bahrain stating the Amir might be attempting to “ease” the prime minister into a lesser role. The Economist reported “the opposition, both Shia and Sunni, wants more than gestures. It points out that Sheikh Khalifa has retained the post of prime minister in a largely unaltered cabinet. Official comments on past unrest remain a study in blind denial. Moreover, to obtain his royal pardon, Sheikh Jamri was obliged to read a humiliating letter of apology to the emir on national television. Since his release, agents from no fewer that three different security services man checkpoints around his neighbourhood, and turn anyone from outside the area. Plain-clothed police are sent tail foreign journalists.”

Amir Visit to France

Ahead of the Amir’s visit to France on 15 July, human rights campaigners called on the French government to support the cause of human rights and democracy in Bahrain. The Committee for Democracy in the Arabian Peninsula sent an urgent letter to the Amir stating “We consider that the true significance of your rule will derive from the concrete stands you will soon take – or not take – in the following fields: Amnesty for all political prisoners; Ending all forms of torture, mass repression, intimidation; Free and safe return to country for all exiled people; Free access to your country for all Human Rights organisations; Suspension of arbitrary detention and Stale Security Law; Restoration of the constitutional rule and organisation of general elections under international control; Full and definitive respect of Human Rights principles.” The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) wrote a letter to the French President reminding him of France’s obligations as a member of the European Union to ask the Bahraini ruler about the violations of human rights in his country and to call on him to respect democratic values and rights of citizens.

Hosting UNSCOM

The government of Bahrain said on 16 July “it had not renewed an agreement on hosting the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM), in charge of Iraqi disarmament, because the body’s future was unclear.” Bahrain was accused by investigative media reports of hosting a centre of espionage and is going to be used for operation against the government Iraq. The exposure of certain activities in Bahrain has caused the government to re-think the hosting of UNSCOM.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 17 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

The Economist, July 17 1999 Bahrain: Suddenly, it’s time for charm Manama Are Bahrain’s Sunni Muslim royal family and its largely Shia Muslim subjects at last learning to get along? Since he succeeded his father in March, Bahrain’s new emir, Sheikh Hamad, has been making ostentatious overtures to Bahrain’s poor and restive Shia majority. For instance, soon after he took over, it was Ashoura, the most important holiday in the Shia calendar, so he presented every congregation in the country with a couple of sheep and some rice. He also allowed Shia into the army, where they were hitherto spurned as untrustworthy. He has admitted a team from Amnesty International, a long-banished human rights group, to research alleged brutality by the Sunni security forces. And he has released several hundred Shia prisoners, including, last week, Bahrain’s most prominent dissident, Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri. Under the regime of Sheikh Issa, the pervious emir, and his hard-line brother and prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa, such moves would have been unthinkable. Young Shia in the run-down suburbs surrounding the capital, Manama, took to the streets almost daily to shout anti-government slogans, burn tyres, and coat walls in graffiti in support of the imprisoned Sheikh Jamri. The security services would then strike back, arresting the protesters and, it was claimed, roughing them up. Yet the government refused to admit anything was wrong. Disgruntled Shia were dismissed as Iranian agents provocateurs. Many were simply thrown into jail under a law that allows detention of up to three years without trial. Calls for the restoration of the short0lived parliament in which Sheikh Jamri served, but which was dissolved in 1975, fell on deaf ears. The government clearly believed that heavy-handed policing alone would quell the protests. In the main, it did: by the time of Sheikh Hamad’s accession, the disturbances had become smaller, fewer and farther between. Despite such success, officials say that the emir plans a gradual liberalisation that could, eventually, lead to the restoration of democracy. He speaks of equal rights for all citizens, and has even gone to press the flesh in some of the Shai suburbs, something his father rarely deigned, or dared, to do. The surprise is all the greater since Sheikh Hamad, when he was head of the army, was part of the team repressing protest. Even veteran dissidents concede that the atmosphere has improved, and that the emir’s gestures have created optimism. But the opposition, both Shia and Sunni, wants more than gestures. It points out that Sheikh Khalifa has retained the post of prime minister in a largely unaltered cabinet. Official comments on past unrest remain a study in blind denial. Moreover, to obtain his royal pardon, Sheikh Jamri was obliged to read a humiliating letter of apology to the emir on national television. Since his release, agents from no fewer that three different security services man checkpoints around his neighbourhood, and turn anyone from outside the area. Plain-clothed police are sent tail foreign journalists. Hardly surprising, then, that many dismiss Sheikh Hamad’s behaviour as window-dressing. Others suspect that he has been forced to move slowly by the hawkish faction within the royal family, headed by Sheikh Khalifa. Before Sheikh Hamad’s day, he ran the country without interference, and became its most prominent businessman to boot. It will doubtless take time to ease him into a lesser role. That, it seems is just what Sheikh Hamad may be trying to do.

COMERS POUR LA DEFENSE DES DROITS DE L’HOMME ET LA DEMOCRATIE DANS LA PENINSULE ARABIQUE Paris, July 14th, 1999 Son Excellence, L’Emir Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa Chef de l’Etat de Bahrein 3 bis, place des Etats-Unis 75116 PAltlS Dear Sir, Our association, which was originally founded in 1969 by French personalities and Orientalists, is an advocate of human Rights and of the access of peoples of the Arabian Peninsula to genuine political participation and democracy. Our action, which is Co-ordinated with similar European movements and the major NGOs dedicated to world-wide Human Rights defence, has been more and more concerned, for 20 years by the situation in Bahrain because of its

,growingly critical character.

We thus have devoted our efforts to inform our national and European parties and MPs of this situation, supporting clear resolutions by European Parliament and linkage between all forms of co-operation with Bahrain and respect of Human Rights by the Bahraini Government. In another instance, we recently intervened within the House of Lords to expose that the Human Rights issue in Bahrain needed an actual global European approach, with due co-ordination of governments’ action. Of courses we have been closely monitoring the first inflexions following your access to power, which inflexions we globally rate encouraging, even if we notice that the amnesty you have granted is still very limited and, above all, that it is conditional to the admittance by the “beneficiaries” that they have committed crimes. This kind of approach, which imposes to the persons to violate their own conscience, is indignating and thus tastes more totalitarian than civilised. We consider that the true significance of your rule will derive from the concrete stands you will soon take – or not take – in the following fields: – Amnesty for all political prisoners; – Ending all forms of torture, mass repression, intimidation; – Free and safe return to country for all exiled people; – Free access to your country for all Human Rights organisations; -Suspension of arbitrary detention and Stale Security Law; – Restoration of the constitutional rule and organisation of general elections under international control; – Full and definitive respect of Human Rights principles. Maybe you are aware that we have been careful to inform the personalities invited to the inauguration party of the Dilmun exhibition at the Paris Institute of the Arab World, on last May 17th, about the Human Rights situation in Bahrain. This action was caused both by the fact that your Paris ambassador did not answer the mail he has received from us on May 27th 1998, requesting for an audience, and by the choice of the inaugurating personality, the Minister of Transportation and son of your Prime Minister Khalifa Al Khalifa, who embodies the very face of torture and Human Rights violations in your country. Today, we are renewing our request for an audience –even a brief one during your Paris official visit in order to discuss with you a few aspects of our stands and yours concerning Human Rights and Democracy in Bahrain.

We hope you will take this request into consideration, which will favour the promotion of Human Rights and the Bahraini and French peoples.

Sincerely, For the Committee, Marc PELLAS     Copy:    Organisations de defense des droits de l’Homme;         Partis politlques francais;         Presidents de groupes parlemenlaires francais;         Presidents de groupes du Parlement europeen;         President de la Commission europeenne;         Lord Avebury;         KUNA;         Presse koweitienne     Enclosures

Bahrain: Intensifying the siege on Bani Jamra

The security forces deployed more personnel for imposing a tighter siege on Bani Jamri where Sheikh Al-Jamri resides since his release from the hands of his torturers. Sheikh Al-Jamri was transferred to hospital on 12 July following the deterioration of his health. Slogans spread on the walls denouncing the continuation of repression and calling for an end to the siege imposed on Bani Jamra.

Leading figures in the Bahraini opposition stated that the way the government attempted to humiliate Sheikh Al-Jamri has “created a volatile atmosphere and ensured that the crisis is continuing.” Mr. Abdul Rahman Al-Nuaimi and Mr. Ahmad Al-Tahwadi clarified how the ruling family “lost an opportunity for reform by insisting an adopting an approach aimed at intimidating the opposition and people of Bahrain.” The grip of the prime minister is as tight as ever and the new Amir has not delivered any significant change or impact other than the empty words stated at the beginning of his reign.

Human Rights Violations:

Talib Ayyash Sultan, 19, was forcibly deported to Saudi Arabia last week. He was detained and tortured for six months. Talib’s father is a Saudi while his mother is Bahraini. He was born in Bahrain and lived all his life in Bahrain.

Afaf Abdul Mahdi, one of the ladies who were detained and toured last month as she attempted to hand in a letter to the Amir’s Palace in Rifa’a, is suffering from the torture she received from an officer by the name Adnan. This torturer had repeatedly hit her on her head and this method of torturing resulted in the deterioration of her health.

Abdulla Mahdi Al-Saegh, 31, from Abo-Saiba’a, has been transferred to a solitary cell since the beginning of June. Abdulla was earlier sentenced to seven years imprisonment. However, the torturers continued their sessions and moved him to solitary confinement.

The detainees in the Dry-Dock Camp have called on human rights organisations to intervene and stop the prison officers from continuing their abuses. In a letter they said “One of the torturers, Mohammed Nasser, attacked the mother of one of the detainees during a visit to her son and punched her in front of her son. This torturer also specialises in insulting the beliefs of the Shia Muslims. Other tortures in this Camp include Ali Mohammed Ali Al-Thani, Fahad Al-Fadhalah, Ali Al-Rumeihi, Yaseen (a Syrian), Bassam ( a Jordanian).”

Bahrain Freedom Movement

14 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Activist’s pardon part of new mood in Bahrain By Karen Matusic DUBAI, July 13 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s pardon of a Shi’ite Moslem cleric convicted of spying and fanning unrest on the Gulf Arab island is further sign of the new emir’s intention to mend fences with the Shi’ite majority, diplomats and analysts said. Manama-based diplomats and businessmen described as a prudent political move last week’ decision by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to release Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri one day after he was sentenced to 10 years in jail and ordered to pay $15 million. “It is entirely in keeping with the new emir’s overall approach to applying a new broom. He is making quite big and radical moves for this country,” a Western diplomat told Reuters from Manama. Some opposition figures warned of possible renewed violence if the government failed to take further steps to win the trust of the Shi’ites, who make up 70 percent of the 391,000 Bahrainis. The rest of the 640,000 people living in Bahrain are foreigners. Activists are calling on the emir to release hundreds of political prisoners, including seven arrested with Jamri in 1996, and to restore the parliament dissolved by the government in 1975. Bahrain, the Gulf’s main financial and banking hub, was the scene of sporadic unrest from 1994-98 as Shi’ite Moslems demanded political and economic reforms. More than 30 people were killed before the disturbances abated in 1998. Shortly after taking power, Sheikh Hamad told newspapers Bahrain was entering an era of “change for the better” and spoke of his concern for “all the people…regardless of their background.” Diplomats and analysts said the 49-year-old leader was wise not to make radical moves in the conservative Moslem country. “The critics should be patient, (the emir) can’t do it all overnight. Given the circumstances, he has to take a softly-softly approach,” a Manama-based envoy said. The fact that the emir permitted a team from Amnesty International to visit Bahrain this month for the first time in 12 years was significant, the diplomat said. An Amnesty International official told Reuters its team detected an “opening of constructive dialogue” in Bahrain that had not been possible before. “There are interesting developments in Bahrain and we welcome the pardon of (Sheikh Jamri) but we contend that he and all other prisoners of conscience should not have been held in the first place,” said Kamal Samari, Amnesty International’s spoken for the Middle East and Europe. Monsoor al-Jamri, a spokesman for the London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement, discribed the pardon of his father as a cynical attempt to stifle mounting international pressure to improve human rights in Bahrain. He said his father was forced to read a statement asking the emir for a pardon after expressing his regret over his past activities and pledging not to carry out any acts threatening state security. “The humiliating way in which they treated my father has created even more anger amongst the Shi’ites. It seems as if the leadership is saying that will leave you alone if you agree to be second-class citizens,” Jamri told Reuters by telephone. Since he assumed the leadership in March on the death of his father, Emir Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, Sheikh Hamad has taken cautious steps to ease the tension between the Shi’ite Moslems and the Sunni-led government, analysts said. After the official 40-day mourning period for Sheikh Isa, a traditionalist who led his country to independence from Britain in 1971 but was wary of democracy, Sheikh Hamad freed hundreds of political prisoners and detainees. He is also improving ties with Iran which had been accused by Bahrain of trying to destabilise its government by inciting the Shi’ites. The emir said the pardon of Sheikh Jamri was aimed at closing a “dark page in Bahrain’s history” caused by unrest. “We have to work for the development, stability and prosperity of the country and its people,” the emir said in

his decree granting the pardon. 

Bahrain: Ancient regime mounts a new campaign of repression

Bani Jamra and the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri, continue to be under siege with the foreign security forces manning checkpoints to prevent any visit or contact with Sheikh Al-Jamri. The telephone line of Sheikh Al-Jamri is continuously being tampered with and cut-off to make it difficult for people to contact and speak to the besieged personality.

Dawn raids continued with some details emerging about the attacks carried out by the foreign security forces against the peaceful citizens. These are some of the examples. On 8 July, at 11.35 am, the raiders attacked the house of Dr. Abbas Mirza in Bilad al-Qadim. Dr. Mirza was praying at the nearby mosque. The attackers ransacked the entire house and destroyed many of its contents. Then they moved to the mosque to arrest Dr. Mirza, but by that time he went out. They returned to the house and arrested his father, Haji Mirza (who is a blind person) and took him as hostage until his son hands himself to the torturers.

Another contingent of attackers was raiding the house of Abdul Rasool Abdul Hassan Aba al-Hassan in Salheyya. Similarly, the house was ransacked and its contents damaged. It is worth noting that Abdul Rasool was one of the people who had been released in the past few days. He had been sentenced to three years, but remained in jails for more than that period. When he was released, the media claimed this to be a “gratitude of His Highness the Amir.

The people of Bahrain are fed-up hearing and reading statements about the “gratitude of His Highness”. This medieval language can not fool the highly advanced Bahraini society. The ruling Al-Khalifa family can not understand that the age we live in is an age where human beings have rights and these rights are not for trading. Moreover, the Amir has not offered a single thing that can even be termed a “gratitude”. All those released had suffered for years and are suffering now without any compensation and without even being returned to their previous jobs. The government’s press talked about another “gratitude of free commercial records”, but no visible sign of any one benefiting from what the media talk about.

By now, the people have realised that the Al-Khalifa regime has not changed. Indeed it has worsened. The releases were inevitable ahead of a visit by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention next October. The new Amir wanted to establish a name for him. His reputation before assuming power was of a person ready for blood letting. He wanted to change some of that image. It is for this reason, oppression and repression continue to cloud Bahrain and the people are continually angered by the tasteless language used by the ancient regime.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

12 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Oppressing Sheikh Al-Jamri creates a tense atmosphere

Bani Jamra, where Sheikh Al-Jamri resides, continues to be under siege since the early morning of 9 July. Security forces surround the entire area with checkpoints established to ensure no person from outside Bani Jamra enters the area. The authorities are imposing this siege to prevent people from meeting with Sheikh Al-Jamri, while the government’s controlled media continued their misinformation and smearing campaign. This campaign is contrary to the spirit shown by the people when the last Amir died on 6 March. The ruling Al-Khalifa family has not yet learnt how to talk to the people of Bahrain. The language used by the government is incompatible with the modern age and it is more relevant to pre-medieval times.

The oppression suffered by Sheikh Al-Jamri is igniting anger and frustration amongst the population. More information has come to light as to the extent of torture suffered by Sheikh Al-Jamri. The ill-treatment started to intensify in March 1998 and continued until the last day of his release. He was firstly placed in a solitary confinement, deprived of sleeping, and threatened that his wife would be raped if he did not agree to several conditions for his release.

The conditions were: not to speak to the outside media, not to deliver any speech demanding parliament, and to stop teaching students at the mosque in front of his house. It took many months of torture and ill-treatment before Sheikh Al-Jamri agreed to these conditions.

Soon after, the torturers said the prime minister was insisting that the trial must go ahead. The family of Sheikh Al-Jamri was subjected to interrogation and threats and one of Sheikh Al-Jamri’s sons (Sadiq) was forced to give statements to news agencies. The statements, prepared by the intelligence department, were aimed at denying reports about deterioration of Sheikh Al-Jamri’s health. During this period, the interior ministry informed Sheikh Al-Jamri that his sentence would be at least ten years plus fines and that this would be increased to life if he did not cooperate.

The last two sessions of the trial lasted less than five minutes each. The State Security Court was presided over by a member of the ruling family (Jaber bin Abdul Rahman Al-Khalifa) together with two Egyptian judges (Ali Mansoor and Mostafa Barghash). The court refused to accept any evidence from non-Shia citizens in order to stick to their sectarian and racist plan. The defence presented four witnesses falsifying the claims of the government. Nevertheless, the three judges refused to accept any of the submissions and went ahead to declare the politically-motivated and pre-determined sentence.

Sheikh Al-Jamri was then returned to his solitary cell and informed that the prime minister was offering him two options: to remain in the solitary cell for the rest of his life (ten years plus many long years to compensate for $15million fine); or to be freed on the conditions that he read a latter prepared by the interior ministry in front of the senior members of the ruling family.

Showing Sheikh Al-Jamri on TV on 8 July was aimed at humiliating the entire population, which the ruling family treats with disdain. It was also aimed at breaking the will of the broadly-based pro-democracy movement. However, neither the showing on TV nor the siege imposed on Sheikh Al-Jamri had worked for the government. People around the country sprayed slogans on the walls denouncing the tribal autocrats and vowing to steadfast in the face of a hate-based campaign.

Human Rights Violation:

Scores of people have been arrested and violation of human rights continued. Saeed Al-Sharakkani was prevented from entering Bahrain. He was forcibly exiled to Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Omran Mohammed, a member of the Kuwaiti Society for Human Rights, travelled to Bahrain on 9 July to meet with Sheikh Al-Jamri and congratulate him for his freedom. Upon his arrival at Bahrain International Airport, he was detained and interrogated by a member of the Al-Khalifa family (Ali Mohammed Yousif Al-Khalifa). He was told that he would be returned to Kuwait after six hours from his arrival. During his detention he met with a Bahraini family with eight children and with another Bahraini, all of them were detained at the airport.

They were prevented from entering their country. The family composed of the father Mohammed Redha Al-Nasheet, 45, the mother Maasooma Jad Abdulla, 40, and their children Zainab, 17, Zahra, 16, Mahdi, 15, Mariam, 13, Mostafa, 12, Mortadha, 11, Haider, 6, and Fatima, 3. All were crowded in a small and dirty room and were left without food for more than half the day for a week. The family had come from the UAE and they are being ill-treated and would probably be forcibly deported back to the UAE.

Also he met with Seyyed Hassan Mohammed Ali Al-Mosawi, 35, who had been detained for four days and is being interrogated ahead of a forcible deportation. The government of Bahrain is the only “national” government in the world that forcibly deports the indigenous population, whilst at the same time it imports mercenaries from the outside and grants them full citizenship.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

11 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Silencing Sheikh Al-Jamri will not undermine the pro-democracy movement

Leaders of the pro-democracy movement have vowed to continue their peaceful campaigning for the restoration of constitutional rights for all Bahrainis. Mr. Mohammed Jaber Sabah stated to Al-Quds newspaper that “we share with Sheikh Al-Jamri a common ground, namely working together for the restoration of parliament and reactivation of the constitution.” People gathered around the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri on the afternoon of 8 July upon hearing that he would be released. In the evening, Bahrain TV showed Sheikh Al-Jamri reading a letter in front of the leading members of the ruling Al-Khalifa family. In an attempt to humiliate Sheikh Al-Jamri, the torturers at the Ministry of Interior offered him the options of remaining in his solitary confinement or being released after pledging to keep silent. With ill-health, Sheikh Al-Jamri was forced to give an undertaking to keep a low-profile on the political scene He had suffered immensely with torturers using all inhuman ways to ill-treat him.

Upon hearing the weak voice of Sheikh Al-Jamri on TV, several residential areas went out in demonstrations. In Sitra, the foreign-staffed security forces deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against the citizens. In Karzakkan, the security forces mounted several attacks and arrested scores of people, amongst them: Seyyed Hashim Seyyed Ibrahim, 20, his brother Sadiq, 18, Mohammed Jaffer Al-Basri, 25, Fadhil Al-Zubeid, 24, Salman Bu-Hasan, 18, Mohammed Al-Qattan, 17 and many others. They were firstly tortured upon their arrest and then transferred to Zallaq Detention Centre for further torturing. Several others were detained in dawn raids and storming of houses including Sheikh Hussain Al-Akraf (just released after more than 3 years in administrative detention), Sheikh Hussain Al-Saem (detained several times), Beshar Al-Aali, Seyyed Ali Seyyed Juma’a, Saeed Salman and others.

On 9 July, all entries to Bani Jamra, the residential area of Sheikh Al-Jamri were blocked. The quarter where Sheikh Al-Jamri resides is under a tight security siege with security forces deployed in many places. No visitors were allowed to see Sheikh Al-Jamri and the family of Sheikh Al-Jamri has been threatened of grave consequences if they spoke to the outside media. A spokesperson for the BFM said “the government may have silenced Sheikh Al-Jamri, but all the people consider his silence as a motivating factor for further civil efforts to put an end the on-going repression”.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

9 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Mideast Mirror (8 July 1999)

“Explosive situation” forces release of Bahrain opposition leader one day after harsh sentence

The surprise release of Bahrain’s top opposition leader, Moslem cleric Abdul Amir Al Jamri, should be attributed to the “ explosive situation” triggered by harsh sentence passed against him just 24 hours earlier, according to Jamri’s son Mansoor, himself an oppositionist.

Bahrain’s Sunnite rulers clearly feared matters would get out of hand, Jamri, a prominent menber of the London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement (BFM), told Mideast Mirror shortly after receiving news that his father has been set free.

SENTENCE: The State Security Court had on Wednesday sentenced Shaikh Jamri to 10 years in jail and the equivalent of a $15, 000 fine. In addition, he and unspecified “others” convicted of involvement in disturbances which began in late 1994 were fined equivalent of 15 million as a compensation for the material damage caused by the unrest.

A three-judge security panel convicted Jamri of spying for a foreign power and inciting unrest against the Al Khalifa ruling family. He was accused of having ignored government warnings and stepped up a campaign for political reforms.

Jamri a member of an elected legislature dissolved by Bahrain’s former Amir in 1975, was the most prominent voice calling for political reforms before he was detained in January 1996 on charges of inciting protests which mainly involved members of the majorityShiite community. The protesters demanded political and economic reforms, chiefly the reinstatement of parliament, the release of political prisoners and the repatriation of deportees.

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds were arrested during the protests, which abated in 1998. Manama accused predominantly Shiite Iran of backing a plot to overthrow the Al Khalifa government—- a charge denied by Tehran. Seven other leading opposition figures detained with Jamri remain behind bars.

Shaikh Jamri’s trial by the State Security Court, whose verdicts cannot be appealed, was closed to the media. His wife and three of their children attended Wednesday’s five-minute session in Jaw, 20 miles south of Manama.

The 10-year sentence included the three and a half years that Jamri, 62, had already spent in jail awaiting his trial, which began last February.

PEOPLE’S POWER: Mansoor Al Jamri told Mideast Mirror early Thursday afternoon he had received confirmation from Bahrain that his father had been set free and was on his way home in Bani- Jamra, hampered only by the large crowds that went out to greet him.

He said that he did not yet know the exact circumstances that led to his release, but it was safe to assume that an announcement would be made that Shaikh Jamri had been “pardoned” by the Emir, Shaikh Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa.

{an indication that authorities were pondering such a scenario came after the sentence was passed on Wednesday, when an unnamed official was quoted in news agency dispatches as saying the Bahraini ruler might grant Shaikh Jamri a pardon if he asked for one}

But Jamri said he believed the real reason the opposition leader had been set free was that the authorities felt the shocking sentence against him threatened to spark large-scale disturbances.

He said protesters took to the streets of Shiite populated area soon after the sentence was passed on Wednesday and some 200 people were rounded up. With people stocking up [gas cylinders], all the signs were that the situation would get out of hand, Jamri said.

The authorities must have been particularly keen on warding off unrest ahead of a visit to Bahrain in October by a delegation from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that will investigate whether any people are being “ arbitrarily detained” he explained.

It was only natural that the harsh sentence should have threatened to trigger fresh disturbances, Jamri said.

“People realised that this sentence was not against one person, but against the Shiite community as a whole. Such a feeling creates frustration, and frustration generates non-peaceful acts.

“As the Arabic saying goes, you cannot throw someone in a pool and tell him not to get wet. The government virtually pushed the people into a pool.”

MESSAGE: By issuing a harsh sentence against Shaikh Jamri, Bahrain’s ruling family meant to send a twofold political message, Jamri said.

The first message was specifically addressed to the Shiite community, which was told it would not be allowed to act as an opposition, he said.

Bahrain’s rulers invariably treated the island’s indigenous Shiites as “serfs,” or “semi-slaves,” Jamri said. “ They cannot tolerate the fact that the Shiites have managed to gain respect at the international level and join with the country’s Sunnites to create a national consensus [in favour of reform].”

Hence, the message to the Shiites was meant to be that “ you will always be treated as serf, or second class citizens at best. So log as you accept this you will be left in peace,” Jamri said.

The second message was addressed to the pro-democracy opposition as a whole and read something like this “ the government does not recognise a national consensus and it will continue to rule Bahrain on a sectarian and tribal bases.”

One manifestation of this sectarian approach was the State Security Court refusal during Shaikh Jamri’s trial to take evidence from prominent Sunnite opposition activist such as Ali Rabi’a and Issa Al Jawdar, Jamri said. It would be recalled that the authorities never agreed to receive a joint Sunnite-Shiite delegation of opposition activists to discuss demands for reform, insisting that each group should come forward separately, he added. However, Jamri said the release of the opposition leader shows that the authorities have failed to achieve their goal.

“They meant to say, ‘ We’ll break your heads.’ But it didn’t work,” Jamri said.

Motion in the UK Parliament in Sheikh Al-Jamri

BAHRAIN 8:7:99 Mr Jeremy Corbyn, MP That this House condemns the 10 year jail sentence and 15 million dollar fine handed out by the Bahrain State Security Court to CPP member and human rights activist Sheikh Al-Jamri on 7th July; notes that Amnesty International recognised him as a prisoner-of-conscience and that he is also a prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric, former judge and member of the parliament

which was illegally dissolved by the Bahrain Government in 1975; deplores the fact that, despite appeals by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations to observe his trial, Sheikh Al-Jamri was tried in-camera in the Bahrain State Security Court with no right of appeal before a judge who is a member of Bahrain’s ruling royal family; notes that his release from prison has only been as a result of huge international pressure; and calls on Her Majesty’s Government to press the Government in Bahrain to release immediately the other opposition leaders who are still in jail in Bahrain and to solve the ongoing political crisis by reinstating all elements of the Bahraini constititution.

MANAMA, July 8 (Reuters) – Bahrain freed a prominent Shi’ite Moslem dissident on Thursday, saying the pardon of the cleric was aimed at closing a “dark” chapter in the Gulf Arab state’s history caused by anti-government unrest. “We hope that a dark page in Bahrain’s history…has been closed. We have to work for the development, stability and prosperity of the country and its people,” Bahrain’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said in a decree pardoning Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri. The pardon came only one day after Bahrain’s State Security Court had sentenced Jamri to 10 years in jail and fined him 5.7 million dinars ($15 million). The decree said the pardon also covered the fine. Sheikh Jamri, 62, was detained in 1996 on charges of spying for an unnamed foreign country, running an illegal group, fanning unrest and circulating false news. Bahrain’s state television on Thursday showed Jamri asking the emir for a pardon after expressing regret over his past activities and pledging not to carry out any acts threatening state security. Jamri, a member of the parliament which was dissolved by the government in 1975, is popular among many Shi’ite Bahrainis for calling for the restoration of the elected assembly. News of his release sparked scenes of joy in the island, and hundreds of Shi’ite Bahrainis flocked to Bani Jamra, Jamri’s native village 12 km (eight miles) west of the capital Manama, to greet the cleric on his return, witnesses said. One diplomat said Jamri’s release would help maintain security and encourage development in Bahrain, but that the question of restoring the parliament remained unanswered. One of Jamri’s lawyers said the cleric’s pardon had been prepared before the death in March of the late Emir Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa. “Even Sheikh Hamad hinted at this in his decree pardoning Sheikh Jamri. The exchange of letters between Sheikh Hamad and his interior minister (about the pardon) could not have happened in a day or night,” the lawyer told Reuters. Sporadic anti-government unrest erupted in 1994, as members of the island’s majority Shi’ite community demanded political and economic reforms. Political parties are banned in Bahrain. Hundreds of Shi’ites were detained in the disturbances, which abated in 1998. In June the emir pardoned more than 300 Shi’ites arrested during the protests. He also pardoned 12 Bahraini political exiles, who had asked for a pardon.

But seven Shi’ite activists held along with Jamri in 1996 are still in detention without trial. A suspect can be held without trial for up to three years in Bahrain, the Gulf’s financial and banking hub.

8 July: BREAKING NEWS

+ Sheikh Al-Jamri has been RELEASED, at 5 pm local time.

+ Some police forces were deployed inside Sheikh Al-Jamri house.

+ Security checkpoints were established to prevent the surging of people towards Sheikh Al-Jamri’s house in Bani Jamra, northwest of Bahrain.

Bahrain: Outrage and civil protests proliferate after sentencing Sheikh Al-Jamri The people of people were outraged after hearing the verdict issued by the unconstitutional State Security Court. The said court was presided by a member of the ruling family with two Egyptian judges sitting around him. The trial was started on 21 February after more than three years of administrative detention. The second session was supposed to have been held on 7 March, but the death of the late Amir prevented that session. Then three quick sessions were held this week. The total time for all the four sessions is less than two hours. The last two sessions lasted less than five minutes each. The court refused to allow any independent observer to attend the trial and refused to accept the evidence of any non-Shia citizen so as to preserve the plot of the Interior Ministry. The latter strove to depict the pro-democracy movement as a Shia one sponsored by Iran. Within two minutes of the fourth session, the judged announced the politically motivated sentence of ten years and a fine of $15 millions. The nation was shocked and human rights organisations condemned the abuse of basic rights by this paramilitary court. By the night, loud explosions of gas cylinders were heard across the country and clashes were reported in several places. Scores of people have been rounded up following the sentencing of Sheikh Al-Jamri.

The explosive atmosphere led the government to spread some rumours about possible release of Sheikh Al-Jamri, today. The people have been pouring at the house of Sheikh Al-Jamri since the morning. Some security checkpoints have been established.

The proliferation of protests could force the government to release Sheikh Al-Jamri. All will depend on the political mood of the ruling establishment.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

9 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

THE COMMITTE FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BAHRAIN Bahrain: Shaik Al-Jamri Conviction , Sham on Justice

T he three days hasty trial before the State Security Court in Bahrain, ended with the conviction of Shaik Abdul-Amir Mansur Al-Jamri to ten years imprisonment and a fine of six million Bahrain dinars ($ I S), for alleged spying to foreign state and inciting sabotage. The court was headed by a member of Al Khatifa ruling clan, Shaik Abdul-Rahman bin Jaber Al-Khalifas and two recruited Egyptian judges Though the court is de facto martial court, the disregard for justice is appalling. The verdict had been based on the alleged confessions in custody of some political detainees under torture and duress.

The four defence lawyers, Abdul Shaheed Khalaf; Hassan Radi, Abdulla Hashim and Rashed Aljar, and the defence witnesses, Abdul Wahab Hussain, Hassam Mesheme (both were companions of Aljamri outside and inside the prison) and his son Sadeq, were able to counter the allegations of the Public Prosecutor. The court refused to hear the testimony of leading figures, such as Ali Rabia and Issa Aljowder, members of The Popular Petition Committee, of which Aljamri is a membber too. Several international human rights organisations including Amnesty International, whose delegatiion was in a visit to Bahrain, OMCT, International Pen and theBritish Interparlaimentry Group For Human Rights, requested to attend the trial in vain.

Now that the Govt. of Bahrain had abused justice with great disregard for its people and the international community, measures should be taken to restrain the excessiveness of its abuses and condemnation of such acts.

The Committee For the Defence of Human Rights in Bahrain (CDHRB)

7 July 1999

7 July: BREAKING NEWS

Sheikh Al-Jamri Sentenced to Ten Years Jail + 5.7 Millions Dinar

The State Security Court sentenced SHEIKH AL-JAMRI to TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT and a fine of more than FIVE MILLION DINARS

(BD5.7m) ($15m) MANAMA, July 7 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s State Security Court on Wednesday sentenced a prominent Shi’ite Moslem cleric, Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri, to 10 years in jail, his lawyer said. Sheikh Jamri, a member of the parliament which was dissolved by the government in 1975, was detained in 1996 on charges of spying for a foreign country, running an illegal group, fanning unrest and circulating false news. “He (Sheikh Jamri) was sentenced to 10 years. The court’s ruling was final,” defence lawyer Abdul-Shahid Khalif told Reuters. Sheikh Jamri, 62, was also ordered to pay 5.7 million dinars ($15 million) in damages. Verdicts by the State Security Court cannot be appealed. The international writers’ group PEN wrote last week o Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa asking for Sheikh Jamri’s release. Seven other Shi’ite Moslem activists who were detained along with Sheikh Jamri are still being held. A suspect can be held without trial for up to three years in Bahrain, the Gulf’s main financial and banking hub.

Hundreds of people have been detained in Bahrain since sporadic unrest by the island’s majority Shi’ite Moslem community began in December 1994. The disturbances abated in 1998.

Trial of Sheikh Al-Jamri adjourns until tomorrow 7 July

The third session of Sheikh Al-Jamri’s was held today 6 July and it was adjourned after FIVE MINUTES until tomorrow Wednesday 7 July.

The judge received a written statement from the Prosecutor General responding to the Defence’s four witnesses provided last Sunday.

The judge adjourned the trial until tomorrow for issuing his sentence.

Amnesty International

Public Statement 5 July 1999

Bahrain: Amnesty International welcomes the opening of a constructive dialogue with the government

Amnesty International delegates returned on Friday 2 July from Bahrain where they undertook the first visit by the organisation in 12 years.

“The purpose of the visit was to hold introductory talks with government officials which we hope will be followed by more visits in the coming months”, Amnesty International said.

Detailed talks took place with the ministers of the Interior, Justice and Islamic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Labour and Social Affairs, as well as with senior judges and other officials. Discussions focussed on Amnesty International’s human rights concerns including administrative detention, unfair trial procedures before the High Court of Appeal, in its capacity as a State Security Court; allegations of torture and cases of forcible exiles.

The delegates also raised a number of individual cases of victims and Bahrain’s plan to ratify additional human rights treaties and to review laws and practice with  the aim of bringing these into line with internationally agreed human rights standards.

Amnesty International welcomed the opening of a constructive dialogue with the government, but regrets its delegates were not permitted to meet privately with other sectors of society concerned with human rights promotion and protection during this visit. Amnesty International has sought assurances that similar restrictions will not be imposed in future visits.

Amnesty International will be submitting a memorandum of its findings and recommendations to the Government of Bahrain in due course.

(Organisation Mobdiale Contra la Torture)

His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Issa Salman Al Khalifa, Amir of Bahrain Office of His Highness, The Amiri Court, Rifa’a Palace, Bahrain, Fax: 00 973 533033 Geneva, July 2 1999

Your Excellency,

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) would like to express its grave concern about an information received from the Bahrain Human Rights Organisation (BHRO), member of the OMCT network.
According to the BHRO, Shaikh Abdul Ameer Al-Jamri was arrested and brought before the state Security Court on the February 21 1999. OMCT contacted you at the time in order to pledge for the possibility to allow observers to attend the trial in order to follow-up the proceeding, without obtaining any response.

We have received reports according to which the opening session of the trial took place with the limited presence of Shaikh Abdul Ameer Al-Jamri’s defence lawyer, his wife and three of their sons. Nevertheless, no members of the public, the press and legal and human rights organisation were allowed to attend.

We have been informed by the BHRO that the trial is to resume on July 4 1999. We would like once again to urge your Excellency to allow an OMCT or any other human rights organisation observer to attend this trial in order t follow-up the proceedings, which we hope will comply with international standards on due process guarantees.
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) avails itself the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of its highest considerations.

Yours sincerely Eric Sottas, Director OMCT, Case Postale 119, 3739 Rue De Vermont, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Tel: 4122 7333140, Fax: 4122 7331051.

Writers urge Bahrain to free Shi’ite activist

03:32 a.m. Jul 05, 1999 Eastern

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) – An international writers’ organisation has called on Bahrain to free a jailed Shi’ite Moslem activist accused of spying.

In a letter dated June 30 and addressed to the emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, International PEN urged the Gulf Arab state to grant Sheikh Abdul-Amir al-Jamri “a full and unconditional amnesty.”

“In light of (the) many irregularities and our continuing belief that Sheikh Jamri…has merely expressed his views peacefully, we remain concerned that he is being detained and tried at all,” the London-based group said.

The trial of Sheikh Jamri, who has been detained since January 1996 on charges of spying for a foreign country, running an illegal group, fanning unrest and circulating false news, was adjourned on Sunday and will resume on Tuesday.

Sheikh Jamri, 62, was a member of the island’s parliament which was dissolved in 1975.

Defence lawyer Abdul-Shahid Khalaf predicted the court would issue its verdict against Sheikh Jamri next week.

PEN said it has “grave concerns” regarding the outcome of the trial and it called on Manama to allow independent observers to have access to courtrooms.

Hundreds of people have been arrested in Bahrain, the Gulf’s main financial and banking hub, since anti-government protests by majority Shi’ite Moslems erupted in December 1994. The disturbances abated in 1998.

Bahrain has freed hundreds of detainees and prisoners, pardoned by Sheikh Hamad, who took over on the death of his father in March.

DJ Bahrain/Opposition Leader/Trial: In Solitary Jail 4 July 1999

MANAMA, Bahrain (Dow Jones)–Bahrain’s state security court Sunday adjourned until Tuesday the trial of the Shiite opposition leader, Sheik Abdul-Amir al-Jamri, who is charged with spying and inciting unrest in the country, his lawyer told Dow Jones Newswires.

The lawyer, Abdul-Shaheed Khalaf, said the court listened to four defense witnesses Sunday and decided to hear the final defense argument Tuesday, July 6. Al-Jamri’s trial resumed earlier in the day, five months after the first hearing in February. Al-Jamri, 62, was detained in January 1996 on charges of spying and inciting unrest against the ruling family, of ignoring government warnings and of stepping up a campaign for political reforms. Bahraini laws allow detention of up to three years without trial.

Al-Jamri had expected to be released as part of an amnesty of 361 political prisoners and common criminals by Bahrain’s ruler Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. More than half have already been released.

Al-Jamri had recently spent three weeks in solitary confinement, further fueling rumors that he would be released this week, said Abdul-Shaheed Khalaf, one of al-Jamri’s lawyers.

Al-Jamri’s wife Zahra Attiyah who attended Sunday’s session with three of their children, said the solitary confinement had exhausted her husband who already suffered from shortness of breath and high blood pressure.
“His health is frail, I hope he’s released soon,” Attiyah said.

Al-Jamri’s first hearing was held in February and adjourned until March, but the death of Bahrain’s late Emir, Sheik Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the three-month mourning period that followed pushed it to July 4. Al-Jamri is being tried by the State Security Court which was set up in March 1996 to deal solely with the Shiite unrest. A panel of three judges is presiding over the trial in Jaw, 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of the capital, Manama. The verdict is expected before the courts take their six-week summer break July 15, lawyer Khalaf said.

(END) DOW JONES NEWS 07-04-99 09:04 AM.

By REEM KHALIFA 4 July 1999 MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The trial of Bahrain’s leading Shiite Muslim opposition leader was adjourned Sunday, ending his hopes of an immediate release from jail as part of a wider amnesty for political prisoners. Lawyers for Sheik Abdul-Ameer al-Jamri, 62, had expected him to be freed as part of an amnesty of 361 political prisoners and common criminals by Bahrain’s ruler, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. More than half already have been released. The trial will resume on Tuesday, and a final verdict is expected before the courts begin their six-week summer break on July 15, said Abdul-Shaheed Khalaf, one of al-Jamri’s lawyers. Al-Jamri was detained in January 1996 on charges of spying and inciting unrest against the ruling family. He also was accused of ignoring government warnings and stepping up a campaign for political reforms. Bahraini law allows detention of up to three years without trial. At least 40 people have been killed in bombings and arson attacks blamed on Shiites, members of the second-largest sect of Islam. They are the majority among Bahrain’s 500,000 citizens. Bahrain’s ruling family belongs to the mainstream Sunni sect, the biggest single sect in Islam. The court on Sunday heard statements from four defense witnesses, including al-Jamri’s eldest son Jameel, lawyers said. Al-Jamri is being tried by the State Security Court, which was set up in March 1996 to deal solely with Shiite unrest. A panel of three judges is presiding over the trial being held in Jaw, 20 miles south of the capital, Manama. The opposition leader recently spent three weeks in solitary confinement, Khalaf said. Al-Jamri’s wife Zahra Attiyah, who attended Sunday’s session with three of their children, said the solitary confinement had exhausted her husband, who already suffered from shortness of breath and high blood pressure. “His health is frail, I hope he’s released soon,” she said.

Bahrain: Sheikh Al-Jamri appears before the State Security Court; Session adjourned untill 6 July

The unconstitutional State Security Court witnessed the second appearance (on 4 July) of the pro-democracy leader, Sheikh Al-Jamri. The popular leader declared his innocence from all the lies labelled against him by the autocratic and medieval government.

Defence lawyers presented four witnesses falsifying the fabricated claims of the government. The court decided to adjourn the hearing until Tuesday 6 July for issuing its sentence.

The trial resumed today after holding its first session on 21 February. Sheikh Al-Jamri is a member of the dissolved parliament and a senior member of the Committee for Popular Petition (CPP). The CPP submitted two petitions in 1992 and 1994 calling for the restoration of the parliament. Instead of receiving the petitions, the security forces mounted attacks against a certain section of Bahrain’s society. They picked on the Shia community on the advice of the mercenaries employed in the security forces. It seemed to them that sacrificing the Shia community would be acceptable to both regional and Western powers. Hence, the medieval government engaged in a 5-year repression campaign that had been resisted heroically by the peaceful people of Bahrain.

The trial of Sheikh Al-Jamri is a climax issue. Residential areas around the country witnessed a return of the scenes that had characterised the uprising prior to the death of the previous Amir. Many areas switched off the lighting on the evening of 3 July. Wall-writing intensified and burnt tyres were seen in many places including the Budaya Highway.

The French TV station ARTE aired a programme on Bahrain on 3 July (8.05 pm). The programme “Le dessous des cartes” (“under the maps”) – a 10 minutes geopolitical programme – explained some aspect of the political situation in Bahrain and why the government of Bahrain discriminates against the indigenous Shia population. The ARTE programme counters the Bahraini government’s initiative that launched an exhibition in Paris about Bahrain’s history. The exhibition attempted to ignore the present suffering of the people, but ARTE showed part of the other side of the story.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

4 July 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Update:

* The people were angered by the decision of the government to proceed with the trial of Sheikh Al-Jamri. Slogans were chanted in major mosques around the country protesting against the repressive decision.

* Campaigners inside Bahrain have called on the people to show their solidarity with Sheikh Al-Jamri by switching off lighting on Saturday night, stopping any celebration and by expressing their views by writing on the walls.

International Pen
9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 1AT, UK
Tel: 0171 253 4308, Fax: 0171 253 5711, Email: intpen@dircon.co.uk 30 June 1999 His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa Amir of Bahrain Office of His Highness P.O.Box 555, The Amiri Court Rifa’a Palace Bahrain Fax: 00 973 533033 Your Highness,

On behalf of International PEN, the worldwide writers’ association with a 78-year history of defending freedom of expression, we write to you to appeal once again on behalf of the cleric and writer, Sheikh Al-Jamri.

We understand that the second session of Shaikh Al-Jamri’s trial is to take place on 4 July in the State Security Court. By that date he will already have been held in pre-trial detention for three years, five months, thirteen days – that is, nearly half a year more than the time allowed by the laws of your country for such a detention. Moreover, we understand that during this long period of detention, Sheikh Al-Jamrii was allowed no access to legal counsel up until a mere hour before his first trial session began. We further note that the first session was not open to the public, and that once convicted, he will not have the right to appeal. All these aspects of this case have caused us to have grave concerns regarding the outcome of this trial. For this reason, we join the British Ambassador to your country and other international human rights experts in calling – at the very least – for independent observers to have access to the courtroom. However, in light of these many irregularities and our continuing belief that Shaikh Al-Jamri, so far from committing any crime, has merely expressed his views peacefully, we remain concerned that he is being detained and tried at all. As we stated in our last letter to you, as far as PEN can determine, Shaikh Al-Jamri’s imprisonment stems only from his peaceful advocacy of political reform in your country and his call for the National Assembly to be reconstituted. Such actions as these do not, under international law, constitute any critical activity. Therefore, along with many other human rights organisations and foreign government officials, we appeal to you to turn your attention to this matter as soon as possible. Your decision to grant hum a full and unconditional amnesty would be the best way to resolve this case and would be greeted around the world as a positive sign of your commitment to fair governance and human rights in your country. Yours sincerely, Homero Aridjis International President Terry Carlbom International Secretary

Second Session of Sheikh Al-Jamri Trial on Sunday 4 July
The lawyers of Sheikh Al-Jamri have been informed on 29 June that the second session of Sheikh Al-Jamri trial before the State Security Court will resume on Sunday 4 July. The trial of Sheikh Abdul Amir Al-Jamri started on 21 February. He was held for more than three years without charges or trial. The first session was adjourned after 45 minutes. The trial was held behind closed doors at the new building of the State Security Court in Jaw, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, Manama. Sheikh Al-Jamri pleaded innocent to the five charges and told the court: ”All I ask for is parliament and I am not a criminal.” Sheikh Al-Jamri is member of the dissolved parliament and a judge. According to Bahrain’s constitution, these two capacities provide him with immunity. However, the unconstitutional State Security Court disregards all articles of civil liberties. The second session was initially set for 7 March, but the death of the late Amir on 6 March resulted in the adjournment of the session. Bahrain Freedom Movement 30 June ‏

Bahrain expells Qatar’s Jazeera ex-talk show host 07:42 a.m. Jul 01, 1999 Eastern MANAMA, July 1 (Reuters) – Bahrain has expelled a former talk show host of al-Jazeera, an outspoken Qatar-based satellite television station, for allegedly insulting Kuwait during a live programme, a government official said on Thursday. The expulsion was the latest controversy involving the TV station which began broadcasting in 1996 and has established itself as a forum for debate on Arab issues for many Arab viewers in the Middle East, Europe and North America. The official said Hamid al-Ansari, who has left the station, had arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday to take part in a seminar. “He was not allowed to give a lecture at the seminar and was ordered toleave the country,” the official said, without giving further details. Officials from various fellow Gulf states have reportedly complained to Qatar about the station, funded by the Qatari government, whose outspoken tone is in sharp contrast to that of state-run media in the conservative region.

A Qatari newspaper said earlier this week that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had complained to the Qatari government over an al-Jazeera interview with Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in which he accused Palestinian officials of murdering opposition members.

Kuwait last month closed al-Jazeera’s local office after an Iraqi caller insulted Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah during a live talk show hosted by Ansari. Al-Jazeera expressed regret over the Kuwaiti ban, saying the insults could not have been prevented on the live programme and that it had deleted them from a rebroadcast of the show. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani was on Thursday quoted by Qatari newspapers as expressing regret over the programme. “We regret what happened during the live (transmission) of the…programme. What scathes the dignity of the symbols of Kuwait also scathes our symbols in Qatar,” the English-language daily Peninsula quoted Sheikh Hamad as saying. Al-Jazeera officials were not immediately available to comment on why Ansari stopped working for the station.

July 1999A state of disappointment reigns over the countryFailure to deliver can be catastrophic

An Amnesty International delegation led by June Ray, the Programme Director for the Middle East, started a visit to Bahrain on 28 June. Ahead of the visit, an air of pessimism was spreading in the country after hopes of eventual political reforms have been dashed. The people had hinged their hopes on the good offices of the new ruler having ascended to the throne after his father demise in March. He had given himself three months to deliberate on the situation, while the people were ready to go the extra mile so as not to jeopardize any possible reconciliatory move.

The period of mourning ended in the first week of June, and the only positive gesture from Sheikh Hamad was an order to release 320 detainees (in batches of 40s) and a handful of political prisoners. The releases were not conducted in a way indicative of a serious approach to reconciliation. It later transpired that those covered by the “royal pardon” were either people who had completed their prison sentences or detainees who had spent considerable periods behind bars without charge or trial.

The Amir himself later conceded in a meeting with Egyptian journalists during an official visit to Cairo that he would only pardon those who did not commit any offence. He said it was improper for him to release those who had taken active part in the protests.

The optimist view came after Sheikh Hamad had repeatedly indicated in interviews following his assumption of power that he had a serious programme of reforms. His aides overemphasised this programme in their meetings with people. In fact the local media was encouraged at the beginning to debate issues that had been a no-go area before. Some pro-government commentators went as far as suggesting that the time was now suitable for the reinstatement of the country’s constitution and parliamentary democracy. Debates on human rights were encouraged and the feelings of people were whipped up to expect major changes in the political arena.

The first shock came after the first cabinet reshuffle took place. The prime minister, who had been behind the reign of repression in the country ever since its independence in 1971, retained his post and reinstated his ancient cabinet.

Evidence suggest that the release of some detainees was more of a sinister act than a “gracious gift” to the nation. Bahrain had been in the firing line of the international human rights groups for the past years. The government had been under increasing pressure to allow human rights groups to visit the country and monitor the situation. A second UN resolution condemning its practices in the field of human rights was inevitable (if no improvements is reported) during the UN Sub-Commission for Human Rights in its session next August, and the only way to avert it was to allow a visit by the working group on arbitrary detention to the country (due on 20 October).

Furthermore, under pressure from the British government a visit by Amnesty International was allowed to take place between 28 June and 1 July. It was the first visit by the renowned organisation to the country in thirteen years. For these visits to take place, it was paramount for the government to impress the visiting agencies by exhibiting a less evil record on human rights violations. The spate of administrative (more like a production line) trials by the notorious State Security Court was intended to reduce the number of detainees who have not been either charged or tried. The release of the prisoners whom the Amir had himself described as innocent, would fulfil the two aims of impressing the visiting Human Rights agencies and showing the public that the new Amir means business.

These marginal moves fall short of the demands by the opposition that a modern civil society be fostered in Bahrain. None of the modest demands appear to have been seriously addressed by the government. The initial hope that the new Amir, being of a different generation and frame of mind, would embark on serious political reforms may have been premature.

Unlike the rulers of Jordan and Qatar, for example, who have started their tenures by introducing reasonable reforms, Sheikh Hamad appears to have been blocked by his uncle, whose political life has been based on repression and human rights violations.

The friends of the Al Khalifa have not sought to induce the new Amir in a serious way to undertake serious political reforms. It is recognised, however, that the welcome visit of Amnesty International is a direct response to the plea made by the British government, especially the late minister, Mr. Derek Fatchett. The new minister, Mr. Geoffery Hoon thanked the Bahraini government on 23 June for allowing Amnesty International to visit Bahrain. The British government is under pressure from British MPs who had campaigned for halting human rights abuses in Bahrain.

Nevertheless, the status quo appears to have been maintained. Instead of welcoming the opposition’s move for calming the situation and preparing the grounds for Sheikh Hamad to reinstate constitutional political life, derogatory remarks were published in the government’s controlled media. The new ruler has appointed three advisors, two of whom are respected by the people. Both Dr. Mohammed Jaber Al-Ansari and Dr. Hassan Fakhro are considered as liberal-minded people who are keen to present a different image (and possibly a different content) for the government of Bahrain. These two honest advisors can assist the new Amir to undertake the issue of political reforms more seriously. They could counter the claims of some influential fascists who argue the prime minister’s heavy-handedness with the pro-democracy activists are better for the stability of the region. This ill-conceived approach can only lead to more miseries and political upheavals. Dictators cannot preserve peace and stability. It is only through the establishment of the rule of law, respect of human rights and allowing political participation, that a sound and stable regime could be maintained. More troublesome periods cannot be avoided if the wishes of people and their rights were not respected.

The experience of the past five years indicates clearly how ignoring people’s rights can lead to instability. Sheikh Hamad will enjoy his position more if he were to respect the wishes of the people and does not give in to the repressive doctrines of his uncle.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

1 July 1999

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