UNHCR urged to stop khalifi attacks on HRDs, F1 condemned for its Saudi race
A joint statement by Luxemburg, Holland and Belgium has called on the world community to stop the revenge acts against the Bahraini human rights activists especially those who deal with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). The statement was delivered by the representative of Luxemburg at the interactive dialogue continuing at the 49th session of the UNHRC. The three countries urged the Council to investigate cases of threats and revenge, such as those against Ebtisam Al Sayegh and Sayed Ahmad Al Wadaei. They also raised the cases of Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja and Dr Abdul Jailil Al Singace who has been on hunger strike for over eight months.
As the khalifi regime’s repressive campaign of arrests continues more people have been summoned by the torture apparatus. Yesterday, Ali Muhanna, a former detainee and father of political prisoner, Hussain, was called and asked to appear for interrogation at “Office 46”. He was not told of his “crime”. Earlier in the month Mohammad Abdul Nabi Al Sheikh from Karzakkan was detained from the Bahrain-Saudi causeway. According to Raids Monitor Network (a local group documenting raids and arrests by the regime forces) at least 39 native Bahrainis were detained this month (March) so far.
The regime’s policy of throttling native Bahrainis has continued. As more foreigners are brought in for jobs, young Bahraini Ilyas Yousuf has been banned from selling water bottles one the side of the road. He was taken to the police station for interrogation and to be officially banned from what he has been doing to feed himself.
On 24 March, American for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 49 under item 6, during the General debate. ADHRB urged the international community to pressure Bahrain into implementing UPR recommendations. On 23 March, ADHRB delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 49 under item 4, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Bahrain.
Following repeated warnings from human rights organizations about the alleged crimes of Emirati head of International Police (Interpol), French judiciary launched an investigation of the case. French anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into torture and acts of barbarism committed by Emirati general Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi, according to judicial sources. The inquiry follows a legal complaint by an NGO that accused al-Raisi of being responsible in his role as high-ranking official at the United Arab Emirates interior ministry for the torture of an opposition figure, The Guardian reported. The GCHR, which holds al-Raisi responsible for inhumane treatment of Ahmed Mansoor, an opponent of the Emirati government, lodged its complaint in January with the anti-terror prosecutors unit whose brief includes handling crimes against humanity.
The sale of Chelsea Football Club took a major step towards conclusion when a number of bidders, including Saudi Media Group and Woody Johnson, were rejected. US bank the Raine Group, hired to sell the club by sanction-hit owner Roman Abramovich, contacted a number of unsuccessful bidders as it whittled down would-be buyers. Saudi Media Group was among those told they had been unsuccessful, according to multiple reports. Saudi human rights and political groups had written to the Premier League expressing concern about the Saudi group which is closely linked to the Saudi rulers. They have welcomed the decision to exclude SMG from the sale.
On 27th March the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) in the Saudi capital, Riyadh decided to postpone the trial of ten Egyptian Nubian citizens until June 2022. The charges directed against the men include spreading false and malicious rumors on social media, and establishing an unlicensed association, in violation of their rights to freedom of expression and association. It was the fourth hearing in the trial of ten Egyptian Nubian citizens.
As the Grand Prix prepares to race in Saudi Arabia this weekend calls have been made for its cancellation due to the enormous human rights violations. First there was the execution this month of 81 innocent people by the regime. Then there is the fact that the Grand Prix tracks were built by migrant workers, who suffer under Saudi Arabia’s abusive visa sponsorship (kafala) system. Thirdly the recent highlighting of the disturbing pattern of violations in the kingdom and the call for a monitoring mechanism on the human rights situation. Fourthly, the unease among the racing drivers about the moral dilemma of racing in a country which butchers its citizens mercilessly. The seven times champion, Lewis Hamilton has voiced concerns about the human rights situation in the kingdom. Other racers have been urged to express their sentiments, like Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
30th March 2022