Two martyrs in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, time to challenge their killers
Yesterday a young Bahraini man died as a result of years of abuse, bad prison conditions and lack of medical care. Mohammad Ali Naas was “released” from jail in May after his health deteriorated following infection with Covid-19. Before his release he was rushed to hospital, but when it became clear that he would not survive for long the khalifi torturers released him to avert the blame.
This week the UK Parliament resumed its work with an important Early Day Motion (EDM) on Bahrain. So far, 23 MPs have backed the EDM that calls for the release of political prisoners including Dr Abduljalil Alsingace. After describing the dire situation at Jua Prison and lashing out at the visit to that torture centre by Priti Patel, the UK’s Home Secretary the EDM calls on the Government to use all available leverage to press Bahrain for the immediate and unconditional release of all Bahraini political prisoners detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to free expression, association and assembly. It gave particular reference to political leaders with heightened vulnerability to Covid-19, namely Hassan Mushaima, Abduljalil Al-Singace and Abdulwahab Husain.
The UN has confirmed that the khalifi regime had continued its refusal to allow impartial foreign observers and experts into Bahrain on its official page it said: “The government of Bahrain did not respond to a visit request submitted to it by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture….”. The regime has consistently refused to allow UN experts into the country and adopted a policy of hollow claims about its human rights record.
As Dr Abdul Jalil Alsingace begins his third month on hunger strike, serious concerns have been raised about his health and that he may not survive this ordeal. IFEX has joined 15 rights groups in calling for the immediate release of prominent human rights defender Dr. Abduljalil Alsingace.
The daily protests have continued unabated despite regime’s severe crackdown against activists. Towns like Sanabis, Karrana, Demstan, Abu Saiba and Shakoura have witnessed daily protests. This week two issues were prominent in their slogans; the calls to release political prisoners and the anger against normalization of relations between the khalifi clan and occupiers of Palestine. Along main roads men and women raised their banners in silence. After the protests some participants were summoned by the torturers, abused and threatened with prison if they continued to call for democratic transformation and release of prisoners.
Bahrain’s well-known pro-democracy protester Haji Abdulmajeed Abdulla Hasan has been ordered to appear for questioning by Manama’s security services. He was summoned to appear at the Qudaibiya Police Station. Yesterday, a young man, Ammar Fadel Abbas from Karbabad Town, was detained at the airport. The regime decided to imprison him for one year for taking part in a peaceful protest. Political prisoner, Mohammad Al Singace has begun a hunger strike demanding his retrial and release. The trial was unfair and ignored his detailed testimony of the severe torture he had endured to force him to sign false confessions. Another political prisoner, Sayed Mohammad Anwar also started huner strike in protest at his ill-treatment. He is held at Bloc17 of the notorious Jau prison. In an audio message he said: “I declare my hunger strike from Sunday 5th September to protest ill treatment and denial of medical care.”
On August 30, 2021, Sandra Marsaud and Éric Girardin, Members of Parliament (MPs) for France, drew the attention of the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain. Ms. Marsaud and Mr. Girardin are both French National Assembly members and have represented La Republique En Marche since 2017. Mr. Giradrin is also member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Saudi authorities have executed a young man from Qatif region in the kingdom’s oil-rich and Shia-populated Eastern Province. They falsified evidence against Adnan bin Mustafa al-Sharfa and linked him to terrorism to justify his murder. This is a continuation of a crackdown led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) against pro-democracy campaigners. The regime’s statement claimed, “The terrorist cell he was a part of had plans to target Saudi Arabian security forces in their headquarters and kill them.”
Human rights groups have reported that a Saudi court has sentenced Saudi-Australian academic Osama al-Hasani to prison. The sources report that the Special Criminal Court in Riyadh has sentenced al-Hasani to four years in prison. On 8 February, Moroccan authorities detained al-Hasani four hours after his arrival in the country. Moroccan security forces insulted and beat him in front of his wife, according to her testimony to Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK). Al-Hasani’s arrest followed a demand from the Saudi public prosecutor. He was forcibly transferred to Riyadh on 13 March, after which no reliable information about the 42-year-old has been made available.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
8th September 2021