Wednesday
Jul 22, 1998
03:45 PM PDT
Introduction |Mid-East Rights | Legislative Activism | Direct Action & Civil Disobedience | Media Campaign
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July/Aug. 1998 (1419 A.H.) - Issue #2
U.S. Turns Back on Bahrainis
Human Rights in Bahrain, home of the 5th Fleet of the U.S. Navy, have for a very long time been ignored by the governing apartheid regime. It has been documented that in the last year several children have been abducted by State Security officers for their anti-government activities, some of which is as minor as spreading graffiti. The following Amnesty International alert demonstrates the point of Bahraini Human Rights violations.
BAHRAIN: ILL TREATMENT
1 MAY 1998
ARGENT ACTION
AI INDEX, MDE 11/05/98
Further information on UA 26/96 (MDE 11/02/96, 2 February 1996) and follow up (MDE 11/01/98, 12 February 1998)- Fear of torture /Medical concern /Fear of medical neglects
New Concern: ill treatment.
BAHRAIN:
- Shaikh 'Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri, aged 60
- Shaikh Hassan Sultan
- Shaikh 'Ali 'Ashour
- Shaikh 'Ali bin Ahmad al-Jeddhafsi
- Hassan Meshema'a
- Sayyed Ibrahim 'Adnan al-'Alawi
- Abdul Wahab Hussein
Shaikh 'Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri has in resent weeks reportedly been subjected to various forms of ill-treatment: solitary confinement, threats of rape against his wife and arrest of his children as well as threats to kill him. His health is believed to have deteriorated, and there are fears that he may be at risk of further ill-treatment.
This ill-treatment is apparently intended to force him to sign a statement accepting full responsibility for all events connected with anti-government protests in Bahrain since December 1994 so that he can be brought to trial. He is said to have been taken to and investigating judge in order to sign the statement but refused to do so.
Shaikh 'Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri and the other seven above-named are prominent Muslim Shi'a leaders and religious figures detained without charge or trial since their arrests on 22 January 1996. Although they were originally held incommunicado it is now thought they are allowed visits from their families. Their arrests came at a time of mass arrests carried out by security forces in response to public demonstrations angry at the closure of mosques. Details regarding others detained are not available. Amnesty International considers the above-named to be prisoners of conscience.
The eight leaders were also detained during periods of unrest in 1994-1995 and held without charge or trial until their release in September 1995.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send telegrams /faxes /express /airmail letters in English, Arabic or in your own language:
- expressing concern at reports that Shaikh 'Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri has been subjected to ill treatment;
- calling for a full investigation into the reports and for anyone found responsible to be brought to justice;
- renewing calls for him and the other seven named above to be released immediately and unconditionally as prisoners of conscience.
APPEAL TO:
- His Excellency
Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telegrams: Prime Minister, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN
Faxes: +973 533 033
Salutation: Your Excellency
- His Excellency
Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
Minister of Interior
P.O. Box 13, Al-Manama, Bahrain
Telegrams: Minister of Interior, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9572 PSMKT BN or 8333 ALAMAN BN
Faxes: +973 275765 OR 290526
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
- diplomatic representatives of Bahrain accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 June 1998.