Labour Day marches banned in Bahrain, Saudi youth beheaded
Bahraini political prisoners have expressed deep sorrow for the martyrdom of Palestinian prisoner, Khader Adnan who died yesterday after 87 days on hunger strike in Israeli jail. He was protesting ill-treatment and unfair trial at the hands of the occupiers of Palestine. The Bahraini inmates are extremely worried for a native political prisoner who has been on hunger strike for several weeks. Few days ago, Mohammed Hassan Al Raml, 63, was transferred to hospital after his health had deteriorated. He suffers several ailments. His blood sugar level fell sharply causing him to lose consciousness. He had been badly treated by prison officers such as Hisham Al Zayani, Ahmed Al Emadi, Bader Al Ruwai’ei, Ali Arad, Yousuf Al Qadi and Abdulla Omar. Human rights bodies have called for his immediate and unconditional release. The people are also concerned about the health of Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace who has refused to take solid food since July 2021. He has become a skeleton in his solitary confinement.
The Bahraini Labour Movement reacted angrily to the decision by the khalifi dictators to ban this year’s march on 1st May to mark the International Labour Day. The Bahrain Labour Union had asked the regime for permission to hold the traditional march but it was not given. The khalifis have refused to allow any march to mark the occasion since 2011. Yet the people have resorted to social media to highlight the predicaments of the labour force in the country. There are many complaints about low wages, rocketing prices and fewer job opportunities as the regime prioritises foreign workers for jobs, unfair contracts, unsafe working conditions and sectarian and political discrimination. The rising cost of living is adding extra burden on the work force. Labour Day marches in Bahrain demand higher wages and economic justice amid high inflation, rising unemployment and ongoing discrimination against Shiite citizens. Social media has become the only available platform to express anger at the regime.
Scores of activists and fathers of martyrs visited the house of Abdul Wahab Hussain, a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement and a political detainee since March 2011. The health of the 68 years old leader has deteriorated in recent days, but he has not been given proper medical treatment. He is forced to wear shackles when he is taken to the clinic, but he refuses to be shackled. His refusal led to cancellation of several appointments. The khalifis have adopted a policy of subjugation and enslavement of the native Shia Muslim population.
This week the khalifi ruler, Hamad Al Khalifa decided to promote his notorious son, Nasser to the rank of Lieutenant-General despite his lack of proper military experience. In addition to his new role, Nasser is the supreme defence council secretary-general, a national security advisor and a royal guard commander. The dictator lavished praise on his son who is embroiled in internal conflicts with his other brothers, especially Salman, the crown prince. The move is seen as a serious form of corruption and cronyism.
Protests have continued in many areas of Bahrain. At the main road in Sanabis, scores of men and women raised their banners and placards calling for the release of the political prisoners. People of Al Maqsha, Demstan, Shakhoura and Abu Saiba, marched in large numbers calling for fundamental political change and remembering their martyrs. Many youths have been summoned by the regime’s torture apparatus to appear for interrogation.
A native Bahraini young man has been detained by the regime forces in order to serve a prison sentence dating back to 2014. Muntadhar Al-Sammak was still a minor when he was convicted on trumped-up charges nearly a decade ago. He had completed most of his sentence except for five months, now he has been detained to serve it.
Yesterday Saudi regime announced the beheading and crucifixion of a young citizen from the Eastern Province. It was another crime that shocked the human conscience. Menhal Abdulla Al Rebh was falsely accused of involvement in anti-regime activities and membership of a “terrorist” group and that arms were found in his possession. He was “tried” by the notorious Special Criminal Court (SSC) which convicted him on the basis of “confessions” that he had been forced to sign. The SSC refused to investigate the cruel torture that he had endured. The execution adds to the long list of Saudi citizens whose lives were cut short by the swordsmen in the service of the notorious regime.
Palestinian national Hani al-Khudari, whose sentence in Saudi Arabia had expired in February 2022, was deported to Jordan yesterday following his recent release. Arbitrarily arrested in April 2019, al-Khudari was sentenced to three years in prison, where he faced medical negligence and inhumane treatment.
Yesterday, prominent Saudi human rights defener, Mohammed al-Qahtani, forcibly disappeared since 24 October 2022, was brought before the Specialised Criminal Court (SSC) for a retrial. His previous 10-year sentence expired on 22 November 2022. The new trial has been postponed. His family is not aware of the new fabricated charges and has not heard from him in recent days.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
3rd May 2023
