Below are a selection of articles regarding the deteriorating human rights condition in Bahrain. The articles date to the end of 1997. However the situation has steadily decreased. For up to the minute information on Bahrain, IHRC recommends the Voice of Bahrain the website of the Bahrain Freedom Movement.

For other updates, please bookmark this page, or the IHRC homepage.

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BFM Statement: The pro-democracy movement represents the will of the Bahraini people

"The Bahrainis I met were virtually unanimous in wanting a fully independent sovereign State. The great majority added that this should be an Arab State". This was the concluding sentence of Mr. Winspeare Guicciardi who briefed the United Nations Security Council on 11 May 1970 about the findings of his exploratory mission to Bahrain. The fifteen nations of the Security Council unanimously accepted and voted for a sovereign and independent State of Bahrain based on the wishes of the people of Bahrain.

Mr. Guicciardi, the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General, toured Bahrain in March 1970 and met with dignitaries and various sections of the society. The will of the people was reflected clearly for an "independent sovereign state". Bahrain was accepted as a member of the UN after consulting the wishes of the people of Bahrain. This is why the Constitution of Bahrain states in Article (1) that "the system of government in Bahrain is democratic, under which sovereignty lies with the people, the source of all powers. Sovereignty shall be exercised in the manner specified in this Constitution". The first article continues to say, "the citizens shall enjoy the right to participate in the public affairs of the State and enjoy political rights, beginning with the right to vote".

The Constitution of Bahrain is an intrinsic part of the "independent sovereign state", and the governing rules are above the whims of holders of authority or law-makers. This is also in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 21 of the UDHR states that the "will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures".

The Al-Khalifa ruling family unilaterally dissolved the parliament in 1975 and suspended the important articles of the Constitution which mandate the existence of an elected National Assembly. Since 1975, the Al-Khalifa family resisted all calls for the reinstatement of constitutional rule. By doing so, the "independent sovereign state" had been undermined. The Bahraini people have suffered immensely from arbitrary governance. The opposition has peacefully campaigned for the rights of the people and for the sovereignty of Bahrain as specified by the Constitution. The ruling establishment used brutal force, torture, extra-judicial killings, forcible exiling, arbitrary detention and sentencing as well as various other means aimed at abolishing the basic freedoms of the nation. The ruling establishment has adopted policies based on racial, religious and tribal discrimination amongst the population. Tens of thousands of people had been imported, awarded citizenship, recruited in security and defence forces, and granted favourable treatment in an attempt to change the demography of the country.

The drive for democracy can not be halted and the people of Bahrain are entitled to struggle for their rights. The pro-democracy movement articulates the will of the people on the basis of national consensus. Such consensus is based on pluralist and civil rights concepts commonly enshrined in Islamic values, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of Bahrain.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
16 December 1997
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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Lund, December 15, 1997

"The restoration of the constitution is a pre-requisite for peacefully resolving the current crises"

It is necessary to recall the role of Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri and his colleagues in the Petition Committee. Their initiative facilitated dismantling the barriers of fear that were erected in Bahrain since the dissolution of its elected parliament in 1975. All leaders of the constitutional movement have repeatedly underlined that our country cannot possibly hope to resolve the prevailing political crises without repealing all unconstitutional measures, decrees and policies enacted by the government during the past two decades, in the forced absence of the National Assembly.

The moderate demands put forward by Sheikh al-Jamri and other leaders of the Petition Committee, and their conciliatory tone generated a massive endorsement by the people in spite of intimidation and reprisals. The government responded by heavy clamp down. The disproportional heavy measures taken by the government against the fourteen national figures who sponsored the constitutional petition as well as against pro-democracy activists have not succeeded in driving the movement into despair or into submission.

The Bahraini rulers' adamant refusal to see the futility of their ways has plunged the country deeper and deeper in social, political and economic crises. Increased allocations to security services and other ill-conceived projects to change the demographic structure of the country have taken their toll on the country's finances and its resources. Once again, Bahrain's rulers are adopting futile measures that hit the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

Skewed labour market policies, corruption, and discriminatory practices have given some new dimensions to the current social and political crises in the country. Unemployment has hit particularly hard on women and young people. Recently released figures show that between 16-18% of households in urban areas (Manama, Muharraq and Isa Town) are dependent on financial support and assistance in-kind disbursed by private charities. The situation may be deemed worse in the rural areas where strict requirements for security clearance have led to higher rates of unemployment. The already announced additional budgetary allocations for security forces and defence are expected to result in additional cuts in allocations for health, education and social services.

The ramifications of the current social, political and economic crises may become disastrous as a generation of young Bahrainis find themselves pushed into despair. I believe that it is in our interests, opponents of the regime as well as its supporters to continue our endeavours to make the rulers of Bahrain see that restoration of the constitution is a pre-requisite for peacefully resolving the current crises, for re-establishing the legitimacy of the regime itself and for readying the country for an era of a sustainable stability, development and prosperity.

Dr. Abdulhadi Khalaf
Sweden
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Bahrain: Security forces attack residential areas and clash with citizens

Clashes between the foreign-staffed security forces and citizens were reported in several places on the evening of 15 December. An eyewitness said "riot police surrounded Duraz at around 6.30 pm and deployed tear gas that was pouring inside the houses. Burned tyres were seen in many places and Budaya Highway was blocked at several locations.

In the past few days, balloons carrying slogans of the uprising and pictures of the detained leaders were seen flying in the sky. Slogans included "No solution without a parliament", "No .. to security courts", "We demand freedom", and various other constitutional demands. The security forces have been imposing sieges against principal mosques around the country. Haj Hassan Jar-Allah, the person in-charge of Al-Sadiq Mosque in Duraz, was summoned twice and threatened of arrest. Haj Hassan had spent one year in arbitrary detention before his release earlier this year.

The military officer imposed on the University of Bahrain ordered the cancellation of all examimnations this week. He also instructed students to participate in the "celebrations" of 16 December. The people have named this day as "Martyrs Day" in commemoration of the death of the first and second martyrs of the uprising in 1994. Both Hani Abbas Khamis and Hani Al-Wasti were shot dead by the foreign forces on 17 December 1994, during mass demonstrations, which erupted in that month. The authorities refuse, to date, to bring the killers to justice.

Several people were known to have been arrested in the past few days. From Manama: Hasan Awal, Khalid Rajab and Shakir Hasan Milad. From Sanabis: Mohammed Al-Maqabi, Mohammed Al-Sabba'a and Isa Adel Sengais. From Hamad Town: Hasan Al-Nesf and Abdul Hadi Al-Gherbal. From Duraz: Sadiq Saleh, Abdulla Ibrahim, Malid Abd Ali Mosa. The house of Mr. Hussain Seyed Mohsin in Duraz was raided but the person was not inside. So the foreign forces decided to take his brother Sadiq as a hostage. When, his father and mother objected, all three were taken hostages until the required son handed himself. Similarly, The house of Hussain Mirza was attacked and the father was taken hostage until Hussain handed himself to the torturers.

Amnesty International (AI) started its "Campaign to Defend the Defenders of the Universal Declaration of Human Right" with the case of the detained pro-democracy leader Sheikh Al-Jamri taking a high profile. AI said " Shaikh 'Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri is a well-known religious scholar and writer in Bahrain. He was an elected member of the National Assembly, which was dissolved in 1975 by the Amir (ruler) of Bahrain. Since then Shaikh al-Jamri has been a determined campaigner for the restoration of the National Assembly. The right to participate in government is guaranteed by Articles 19 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)". AI called on human rights campaigner to demand his immediate and unconditional release.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
15 December 1997
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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Bahrain: Yet another lie by a government at war with its people

A government spokesman rejected a call by the UK Foreign Office Minister, Mr. Derek Fatchett, to allow human rights organisations to visit Bahrain. Mr. Fatchett was speaking at the annual meeting of the Bahrain Society on 4 December. The government spokesman also lied by saying on 5 December that "a number of human rights delegations had visited Bahrain and expressed their admiration and appreciation of what they had seen". He said that these organisations included "Amnesty International, the Red Cross and the British and European parliaments". Amnesty International (AI) has been applying to go to Bahrain for more than five years and had been consistently refused entry. AI also issued several damning reports, including the 50-page assessment of human rights violation in September 1995. The use of the AI name is a shameless lie. The government has also never stopped insulting the European Parliament since the issuance of a second Euro resolution on 18 September. The Red Cross visited Bahrain twice and witnessed the extent of torture and intimidation inside the jails. Moreover, the Red Cross is bound by an agreement limiting its remit to "humanitarian" advice that is shrouded by secrecy. The opposition challenges the government to allow the Red Cross to publish its findings.

Security forces were put on high alert since the dawn of 5 December. Lorries packed with foreign mercenaries were stationed at all strategic locations. Principal mosques were besieged and people were prevented from practising their religion. Despite all this, burned tyres blocked several highways. Students boycotted canteens on 6 December. On 5 December, in the evening, some 500 detainees in the Dry-Dock Prison Camp were attacked by the riot police deploying tear gas for breaking up a protest by prisoners marking the third anniversary of the uprising. The riot police attacked the detainees in Block "C" and dragged the youths to the outside, tearing their cloths and torturing them in groups.

The security forces attacked the residents of Bilad al-Qadim on 5 December, at 2.00 am (after mid-night) and arrested many people including five brothers:

Abbas Salman, 21
Maitham Salman, 19
Zakaria Salman, 17
Abdul Zahra Salman, 16
Husain Salman, 14.

The residents went out in a spontaneous demonstration by uniting against the dawn raiders.

The Economist of 6 December published a report from Bahrain commenting on the recent trial of eight oppositionists. The Economist said, "Sheikh Khalifa in effect runs Bahrain, although his elder brother, Isa al-Khalifa, has been ruler since 1961. He may have decided on the trial to undermine his nephew, Sheikh Hamid al-Khalifa, who is the ruler's heir. Sheikh Hamid, who hopes to inherit a less troubled little island-state, had been encouraged towards a political settlement by Sheikh Zayed, the president of the United Arab Emirates… So Sheikh Hamid was disposed to listen when Sheikh Zayed urged reconciliation with the London-based Bahrain Freedom Movement -and offered, if this happened, to help Bahrain's impoverished countryside".

A press conference on Bahrain will be held on 16 December, 12.30 pm, Moses Room, The House of Lords, Westminster, London. Members of parliament will address the issues of human rights and democracy in the light of the FCO Mission Statement. Speakers include Lord Avebury, Lord Dholakia, Jermy Corbin, MP and Dr. Jenny Tonge, MP.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
7 December 1997
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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15, November,1997

Bahrain: Kangaroo court can not salvage an outdated government

The government's State Security Court, presided by a member of the ruling family, held another kangaroo session on 15 November with regard to the case of eight oppositionists, most of whom had been forcibly exiled from Bahrain in 1995. The list was haphazardly grouped together in a rush to pass a message from the unconstitutional regime that it is beyond reform. The Bahraini opposition is one of the most moderate movements in the Middle East that has raised legitimate and rational demands calling for the restoration of the rule of constitutional law.

The present Bahraini government is controlled by the same individual since its formation in 1971. It is the same government that caused the dissolution of the parliament in 1975. It contains the same individuals who presided over all aspects of life in Bahrain, controlling not only high positions in state but also monopolizing business and competing even with small traders and shop-owners. Such a government views the demands for restoration of constitutional law as a threat to their discretionary and corrupt powers. The prime minister, for example, ordered the writing of a book which claims that the "State of Bahrain" is nothing more than a by-product of his highness, exactly just as the "Unitag Group of Companies" are nothing more than being another by-product of his highness.

The opposition understands the psychological and mental difficulties of a government living in an age and place that are incompatible with its practices. However, the government must by now realize that its behaviour has violated all low-levels of human taste and it must realize that the people of Bahrain have no intention what so ever to give up their noble aims for constructing a dignified environment for the protection of human and constitutional rights.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 15 November þ1997þ Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

11 Nov, 1997

Bahrain: The government will not be able to run away from the core issues

Local papers published the names of four teenagers who had been selected by the security forces for receiving the blame for a fire that gutted a building containing car show room (30 October). The four youths are Salman Ibrahim Marhoon, 18, Shawki Abdulla Jassim, 17, Hassan Abdul Karim Saleh, 18, and Ali Hassan Al-Shajjar. Mohammed, 10-year old, brother of Ali Hassan Al-Shajjar was amongst those arbitrarily arrested in the past few days from Bilad al-Qadim.

The trial foe eight oppositionists announced by the government started on 8 November, and adjourned to 15 November. In an interview with the BBC, Dr. Mansoor Al-Jamri said, "the government has been desperately attempting to divert attention from the core issues of the political crisis. The people of Bahrain have demanded the restoration of the parliament and constitution. We challenge the government to abide by the Constitution of the Country, which demands the formation of a High Judicial Council and the presence of an elected parliament. He also said "We had never stopped expressing our views publicly since the formation of the BFM in 1982. We will utilize every opportunity to express our views and reflect the demands of the people".

On 8 November, the security forces attacked Al-Zahra Mosque in Sharakkan and destroyed its library, videocassettes, audiocassettes, windows, gates, Quranic posters, stole the donations box, and turned all contents upside down. This is the fifth time this mosque comes under attack from the security forces. Few nights before this vicious attack, Imam Ali Mosque in Dar Kulaib was also attacked by security forces that stole a computer and other ancillary equipment.

Graffiti across the country increased with the "Week No. 97 ?" highlighted every where. The number of week is a record for the period since the re-detention of Sheikh Al-Jamri and his colleagues. Slogans calling for the restoration of parliament and constitution are painted on walls and in strategic locations on highways. The security forces have failed to remove the recurrent writings that reflect the aspirations and demands of the people of Bahrain.

The Egyptian president visited Bahrain on 7 November. In Bahrain he said that the "age when governments can do what ever they like without due consideration for the wishes of the people have gone". This is a correct statement and hopefully the rulers will understand the message. Mr. Hosni Mubarak also visited Awali Hospital where the Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, is receiving medical treatment after his collapse last month. An Egyptian official said that both sides agreed that participation in the Doha Middle East and North African Economic Conference "depends on progress in the peace process". Qatar has invited 92 countries and organizations to the regional economic forum, to be held in its capital Doha on November 16-18.

The Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi arrived in Jeddah on 8 November, starting a multi-leg Gulf tour on a mission said to be for "boosting ties amongst neighbours". After Saudi Arabia, Kharrazi will travel to the other five Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 11 November 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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BAHRAIN'S GOVERNMENT RUBBER STAMPS ATROCITIES

COURTESY OF: Bahrain Freedom Movement 4 November 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Government’s "High Council" rubber stamps atrocities

Security forces besieged several areas in Bahrain and prevented the citizens from participating in traditional religious porogrammes. A military lorry packed with riot police besieged Matam Bin-Salloom (congregation hall) and prevented the people from practicing their religion. Similarly in Duraz, where most congregation halls had been closed down, people were denied their rights to practice their religion. Never the less, religious processions took to the streets of Manama and other places amid tight security measures aimed at intimidating the people.

Religious scholars are routinely arrested and intimidated. Sheikh Mohammed Turki from Tobli was taken for interrogation on 2 November. The torturers threatened him with grave consequences if he were to continue practicing his religion. Two weeks ago, Seyyed Alawi Al-Sharakkani was detained and interrogated. A security man (non-Bahraini) ordered the mosque attendants to switch-off the microphone. When his orders were refused, the religious scholar was arrested and asked whether he had been permitted to pray by the recently formed "High Council for Islamic Affairs".

This "High Council" was formed by the government for confiscating the religious rights of Bahrainis. The council is headed by the justice minister, a senior member of the ruling Al-Khalifa family. Handpicked and powerless clergies were appointed to rubber stamp the present atrocities carried out by the interior ministry. The tribal autocracy is targeting the elimination of all margins of freedom in Bahrain. Some of the powerless members of this council were ordered to distribute money to entice some people to accept its existence. At the same time, the interior ministry is continuing its atrocities against all religious institutions.

On 2 November, the security forces attacked Bilad al-Qadim and arrested the following people in one single raid: Hussain Juma, 26, Abdul Hussain Al-Khal, 32, Seyed Essa Hashim, 22, Hassan Abdul Karim, 18, Salman Ebrahim Abdul Redha, 18, Shawki Abdul Nabi, 17, Yaser Al Sammak, 25, Abdul Nabi Al-Hawwaj, 32, Abdul Shaheed Al-Hawwaj, 28, Jassim Al Hawwaj, 17, Mustafa, 27, Fadhel Al-Ramel, 21, Mahdi Al Ramel, 26, Fadhel Hameed, 23, Jaffar Ali Al-Tashani, 21, Hassan Al-Halaimi, 19, Mohammed Mansor Al-Saeed, 20. Also, some twenty others were reportedly arrested in the nearby Salheya district. The opposition urges human rights organizations to intervene and call on the security authorities to stop torturing the people of Bahrain.

The jailed pro-democracy leader, Mr. Abdul Wahab Hussain was admitted to Salmanya Hospital (Emergency Unit) on 1 November for an emergency operation. Mr. Hussain is one of the main co-signers of the popular petition that was supported by 25,000 citizens. The interior ministry backslid on an agreement to calm down the situation and re-arrested him alongside Sheikh Al-Jamri and other leading personalities in January 1996.

The "Big Issue in Scotland" (29 October) published a two-page report on the victims of torture in Bahrain. The Scottish magazine said "the enemies and victims of the 70-year old Scot, who heads Bahrain's intelligence service (Ian Henderson), claim he is responsible for directing systematic torture and even murder". The magazine also said "following our expose of his role in the autocratic state's brutal system of repression, calls were made in Parliament for his extradition to Britain and prosecution for human rights abuses".

Tue, 30 September, 1997
1. BAHRAIN ON SECURITY COUNCIL 2. CHILDREN ARRESTED

COURTESY OF: Bahrain Freedom Movement 18 September 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Membership of the Security Council carries international implications

The sudden illness of Bahrain’s prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is bound to leave an impact on the internal squabbling of the Al Khalifa ruling family. Not only is the prime minister the dominant figure within it but his tyrannical rule has insured no one could undertake to challenge his rulings or present any alternative policies. It is for this reason that he recently blocked a Gulf initiative to mediate in the ongoing crisis for the simple reason that other persons had championed it.

Therefore it is hard to see how it is possible to get the ball rolling towards a political solution. What Khalifa had hoped to achieve was to crush the opposition and send its leaders into oblivion. Now that aim has not been fulfilled the stage has been set for a prolonged conflict that could escalate fiercely. The hope is that a senior figure from the ruling family would have the courage to come forward with some proposals to break the stalemate that everyone believes could not be in the interest of the ruling family.

One of the most astonishing developments last month was the announcement by the minister of the interior that a group of opposition figures outside the country would be tried. No specific plans were made to ensure their presence in Bahrain to attend the trial and hence the whole thing remained a media talk.

Sheikh Khalifa’s new hostile attitude towards Britain is not conducive to the crusade he is leading against the people of Bahrain. There are limitations to what he could do to challenge the British Labour Government, and he will soon find himself out of steam in his endeavour to "humiliate" the old friends. He ought to realise that the existence of his family rule over the past two centuries is owed to the British presence in the Gulf and specifically in Bahrain. The notorious Ian Henderson still carries the British legacy in the Gulf island and without him the whole structure of the ruling family could be endangered. There is now growing sentiments in the Gulf and in Britain with regards to the policies of the prime minister having failed in his continuous attempts to crush the opposition by the use of extreme forms of force and repression. The British feel that he has gone too far in his anti-Britain campaign at a time when he needs them most. They could not see any justification for his harsh reaction to them when they decided to uphold their international obligations against his odds. His rhetoric projected him in a much bigger position and he seems to enjoy it. The local press which is controlled by the government is doing its best to toe the line of the prime minister.

The dilemma being faced by the opposition has two folds. On the one hand they are resisting all forms of provocation from the governmental side to push the people to adopt a violent approach. So far they have successfully adopted a programme of civil resistance which proved to be capable of irritating the prime minister and mobilising the masses. On the other hand, they see the whole process heading to a dead-end with the possibility of a head-on collision with the government. The next few months will be crucial in pursuing the constitutional demands within the peaceful framework that they had chosen for themselves. The prime minister has not left a stone un-turned in his attempts to crush the opposition. He solicited the help of international public relations company, private detectives, and mercenaries from various places. He even enticed some London and Paris-based pseudo-academic centres to offer their help to salvage his government’s reputation which had sunk to new low levels. Omar Al Hassan of the Gulf Centre of Strategic Studies in London is one of those who grabbed the opportunity to widen his financial resources by working for Bahrain. He, together with Saleh Al Tayyar in Paris are organising a seminar in Bahrain next February on behalf of the Bahraini government. Their brochures are depicting a false image to imply that the invited personalities support dictatorship.

The prime minister has exhibited endless joy as Bahrain became a non-permanent member of the Security Council for a term of two years starting next year. The General Assembly, on 15 October, elected Bahrain, Brazil, Gabon, Gambia and Slovenia as members of the Security Council. They will fill five non-permanent seats to be vacated by Chile, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Poland and the Republic of Korea. The membership is proposed on the basis of regions and does not in itself provide that country with a certificate of "good character". The UN Sub-Commission on Human Right has on 21 August condemned the Al-Khalifa feudal autocrats and they will continue to be monitored for their abuse of basic rights of Bahrainis.

The period of membership to the Security Council will end just before the new millennium which the people of Bahrain hope to enter with a degree of democracy based on the Constitution. They see Bahrain’s membership of the Security Council as a positive step in the struggle to force the government to sign international conventions on human rights as well as political and cultural liberties. The opposition will seek to ensure that the government signs the international conventions against torture. Bahrain will start its tenure at the Security Council at a time when the whole world will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is hoped that the prime minister will soon realise that membership of the Security Council obliges him to adopt modern democratic values and human rights. Bahrain will soon be exposed to the world that it has no elected legislative body, no trade unions, no press freedom, no civil liberties. Bahrain will be seen as the only country in the world that exiles its citizens and later seeks to try them in absentia or wages a war against countries that offer them asylum. While the government has attempted to exploit the selection of Bahrain to the membership of the Security Council and present it as a victory in its war against the pro-democracy movement, the opposition is happy to see Bahrain occupying a seat at the Security Council and hopes it will be the first step towards the democratisation of the country. The world has a duty to ensure that members of the Security Council possess a degree of integrity in their internal policies, especially that the issue of human rights has become extra-territorial. The government of Bahrain must be made aware of its international obligations and stop its attacks on the European Parliament, human rights organisations and international human rights activists for their support of the pro-democracy movement.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 3 November 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089 Email: Bahrain@compuserve.com

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Bahrain: Children arrested; explosion in Manama

Reuters reported from Bahrain that a bomb, planted under a car, went off on Friday (31 October) Friday near the International Exhibition Centre outside the Bahraini capital Manama. The explosion occurred at around 7.00 pm local time. A government official said that the explosion damaged the car and shrapnel from the blast injured a passenger who was in another car. Bahrain had been suffering from a vicious cycle of violence caused by the atrocities of the security forces. The opposition has called for ending this deplorable state of violence and urged the government to respect the country's constitution.

The opposition has called for peaceful commemoration of the second anniversary of the 10-day hunger strike by Sheikh Al-Jamri and his colleagues. The gathering in front of Sheikh Al-Jamri's house on 1 November 1995 was the biggest ever in the history of Bahrain with 80,000 people raising their hands and demanding the restoration of their constitutional rights. On the second anniversary, fasting was observed for half a day and many schools witnessed a total boycott of eating during the school-hours. The commemoration was started on 23 October by switching-off the lighting for one night.

On 30 October, about half the shops in Manama's town centre closed following skirmishes between the security forces and youths of the uprising. Burnt tyres caused the blocking of several main streets. Similarly, the main roads near Jabalat Habshi, Daih, Sanabis, Sehla, Qadam, Duraz, Bani Jamra, Sitra, Karzakkan, Ma'amir and other places witnessed intensive activities with burnt tyres blocking the main the roads.

The security forces attacked Ma'amir on 31 October and arrested several people including a 13-year old child, Ibrahim Jaffer Mohammed Ali. From Bilad al-Qadim, the following were arrested: A TEN-year old boy by the name Mohammed Abdulla Al-Shajjar together with his older brother Hussain, 18, Ismail Abdulla Ahmad, 18, Hassan Abdulla Al-Dafari, 18. Yaser Hasan Al-Sammak, 28, Mohammed Ramadan Ahmad Al-Saffar, 28, Adel Ali Al-Sodani, 28. From Qadam: ELEVEN-year old boy Mahdi Jawad Ahmad Abdulla and another ELEVEN-year old Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Jaziri. From Bani Jamra: Ahmad Ali Ahmad Al-Ghanmi, Ahmad Ibrahim Al-Najjar and his brother Borair.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 2 November þ1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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Bahrain: Security forces attack residential areas

A fire on 30 October gutted a multi-storey building (UNISYS) belonging to

the distinguished business family, Al-Zayyani. Several new cars were burnt in the show room of the building. A spokesperson for the BFM said, "the opposition condemns arson and sabotage. It is believed that the security forces have been targeting successful business families in a desperate attempt to pave the way for other parasitic business activities".

The security forces have committed several atrocities in the residential areas. The people have painted the walls with slogans calling for an end to dictatorship and for release of jailed leaders. On 29 October, the security forces attacked several houses. They stormed the house of Mirza Ahmad Mushaima'a, took their 15-year old son, Abbas, and beaten him severely in front of his parent. The child was then taken to hospital for

emergency treatment.

In Karranah, the security forces attacked the residents on 25 and 26 October and arrested Saeed Al-Subaihi, 16, Fadhil Isa Nasser, 16, Qassim Mohammed Makki, 15, Saleh Juma Kadhem, 15, his brother Jalal, 14, Jaffer Ahmad Al-Bori, 17, Jaffer Ahmad Fadhil, 15, Abdul Rasool Ibrahim, 15, Khalil Ibrahim Mesha'al, Khalil Ibrahim Jaffer, 20. The latter was not at

home, and hence the security forces destroyed many belongings and contents of the house, took a member of the family as a hostage (Seyed Noor), until the person handed himself to the torturers.

On 28 October, the security forces attacked Tashan and arrested Jalal Abdulla Al-Alwani, 24, Hussain Ali Al-Tashani, 23, and his two brothers Hasan, 20, and Abbas, 18. On 26 October, the forces attacked Matam Ansar-al-Hussain (a religious community centre in Bilad al-Qadim) and ransacked its contents. They also arrested Abd Ali Marhoon for one day. Mohammed Jawad Al-Mesbah, 14, from Qadam was arrested on 27 October. On 26 October, the forces attacked Bani Jamra and arrested Hussain Ibrahim Al-Najjar, 18, and his brother Ahmad, 16, Ahmad Ali Al-Ghanmi, 17. Others

arrested include: Hussain Saeed Al-Masqati, 25, from Bani Jamra; Shakir Ma'atooq Ibrahim, Seyyed Hussain Salman Hussain, 18, both are from Sar. From Karbabad, the following were arrested on 26 October: Nasser Mohammed

Al-Sahjjar, 23, and Mahmood Abdulla Kadhem, 20.

A Bahraini citizen working in Kuwait was prevented (together with his family) from re-entering Kuwait on 26 October. Ali Al-Jareesh was stopped

at the Saudi-Kuwaiti border (Nowaiseeb checkpoint). Six months ago, the Kuwaiti intelligence department interrogated him, but was later cleared. He was returning from a holiday with his family in Bahrain. The Kuwaiti authorities are still holding four Bahrainis for unspecified periods and without a judicial review.

Dozens of teenagers were dismissed from schools (names available wit the BFM). These children are denied their rights for basic education and the ministry of education is attempting to destroy their future. This move can only radicalise the situation where youths are driven to revenge against this hate-based policy.

Bahrain Freedom Movement 30 October 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Mon, 29 September, 1997

Bahrain: Mosques attacked; Personalized attacks against AFP and Stanley Newens

The people of Bahrain commemorated the days of 24, 25 and 26 September. These were the days two years ago when Sheikh Al-Jamri and his colleagues calmed down the situation in return for the initiation of political dialogue. The security forces realized then that such a clam down would disadvantage their favorable position within the structure of the state. They attacked the peaceful nation and re-ignited the event that continued until today.

Saddened and angered by such an irresponsible behaviour, the people switched-off lighting on the evening of 24 September. The security forces blocked entrances of the home village of Sheikh Al-Jamri, Bani Jamra, aiming to prevent the people from congregating in the village. The grand mosques of Al-Sadiq in Qafool (Manama) and Khawajah in Makharga (Manama) were besieged. Entranced to the capital were manned with security forces for stopping people and turning them away.

The scholar who leads the prayer in Khawajah mosque, Seyyed Saeed Seyed Alawi was arrested on 26 September, 10.00 am local time, together with the two persons in-charge of the mosque. The officer who led the house-raiding of the scholar and the two men was the Yemeni officer Mogbil. The mosques of Al-Sadiq and Khwajah continued to be under siege until Friday night (26 September).

On 25 September, at 6.25 pm local time, the security forces fired tear gas inside al-Khawajah mosque, raided the mosque compound and arrested at least 35 people. These included Ali Al-Moot and Yaser Mohammed Abdul Rasool from Sanabis, Hani Ali Ahmed Radhi and Jaffar Al Shia'lah from Zinj.

The main Budaya Highway (near Jedhafs and Daih) was blocked on Friday 26 September, 8.30 pm local time. The security forces launched an attack against the citizens in that area. Similar skirmishes were reported near Duraz on the preceding nights.

The government is adopting a new strategy in the media. They have personalized their attacks against the European MP, Mr. Stanley Newens. The officials are attempting to coerce professional bodies to issue condemnations of the European Parliament. Their failure drove them into further hysteria. Most recently, the government mounted another personalized attack against the French News Agency, AFP, because the latter reported the martyrdom of Yaser Sdaif on 22 September. Yaser was tortured severely and had been sexually abused through the insertion of a bottle in the back passage. The government lacks credibility and for this it can not allow an independent investigation. The opposition is adamant that Yaser Sdaif was subjected, alongside others, to abuse and torture that contributed to the deterioration of his conditions.

The government has silenced the German News Agency (DPA) by expelling its correspondent Ute Meinal last July, the BBC Correspondent, Ms. Esmat Al-Moswai was also silenced, and the local staff of Reuters and AP know that they face punishment if they report any views (other than official ones) about the political crisis.

The government is adopting this new policy following its latest set backs on the international scene. In June, July, August and September, the government was condemned by the UK Parliamentary Debate, the 109-page Human Rights Watch Report, the UN Human Rights Sub-Commission and the European Parliament respectively. The government realized that attempting to blame outside forces was a total failure. They had therefore up-graded relations with Iran to ambassadorial levels (26 September) and started blaming the UK and Europe for "attempting to bring back colonialism". The people of Bahrain hope that one day there would appear a courageous person from the political establishment who could face the challenges of the modern age. There is a short curt to ending the crisis and it is unfortunate that those in charge can not open-up their eyes, minds and hearts.

Bahrain Freedom Movement
27 September 1997
Fax: (44) 171 278 9089
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COURTESY OF: Bahrain Freedom Movement 18 September 1997 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: The criminals who attacked Duraz must be brought to justice

Any person wishing to understand how the regime in Bahrain views its relation with the nation may pay a visit to Duraz and speak to its residents and to witness at first hand the extent of hate possessed by the tribal dictatorship against the people of Bahrain.

The afternoon of Tuesday, 16 September will not be forgotten. A peaceful traditional procession that is guaranteed by the constitution of the country was passing through the streets of Duraz. The foreign-staffed security forces started their attack when the procession reached the National Bank of Bahrain. Rubber bullets, sharp glass particle bullets and tear gas were all deployed against men, women and children. The security forces stopped short of nothing. An eyewitness said "I saw more than 50 riot police personnel surrounding five youth, beating them until blood covered all their bodies". "I saw the four-year old son of Yousif Ahmad Abdulla bleeding as a result of a bullet". The child is now in hospital. "Redha Abdulla Al-Shehabi had one of his arms broken as a result of the beating". Hundreds were taken prisoners. "Falah Mohammed Habib Al-Asfoor was hit by sharp particle bullets".

Another eye witness reported how "the riot police poured petrol on a new car belonging to Seyyed Jaffer Seyyed Mohammed. Then they stepped back and fired live ammunition that caused a huge explosion and total destruction of the car. The riot police then turned to a car belonging to Mohammed Abdul Hussain Saleh and set on fire in a similar way".

"Two village elders who head local congregation halls were detained. These are heads of Matam al-Shehab and Matam al-Noor: Ali Ahmad Shehab and Abdul Razzaq Zain-al-Din. Both matams were shut down".

"The aftermath of the atrocities speaks of horrific crimes. The riot police intentionally damaged more than fifty cars, and private properties were ruined. For example, the house of Haji Isa Al-Ajami was ransacked and had its contents damaged or turned upside down". "Sheikh Jaffer Al-Khal, a blind cleric, was attacked when he started praying in the mosque later on. The riot police smashed the microphone of the mosque and roughly-handled the old man". "Saleh Mahdi Al-Marzooq and his daughter were both arrested from one of the streets".

This is Bahrain, and this is how a regime that possess no feeling of affiliation to our peaceful people. It is time for the international community to shoulder its responsibility by instigating investigations and by exposing these inhuman practices.

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