UN calls for release of 6 Bahrainis, MP calls for Saudi woman release
UN experts have called for the release of six imprisoned Bahraini students who had been held arbitrarily after “confessing” to crimes under torture and undergoing unfair trials. The students – Ahmed Yusuf, Alaa Ansaif, Husain Matar, Husain Abdulla, Mohamed Baddaw and Sayed al-Khabbaz – were arrested separately, in unrelated cases, between 2013 and 2020. At the time of their arrests, three were minors. While in custody, a rights group said four the students were subjected to enforced disappearance, including one for 40 days, and five were tortured into confessions. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in a document released on 14 July, said it found the group’s claims of ill-treatment credible. “These cases follow the pattern of numerous other cases brought before the Working Group in recent years concerning the arbitrary deprivation of liberty in Bahrain,” the group said.
On Monday 24th July young native citizen, Mohammed Baqer (from Al Zahraa Town) was arbitrarily detained for taking part in a religious procession. He had been summoned for interrogation and was remanded in custody.
As the day of Ashura approaches, the native Bahraini majority is preparing massive processions in all areas of the country. The capital, Manama is attracting thousands of mourners to attend the processions that will reach their climax by the weekend. It is yet another test for both sides, the khalifi tribal chiefs and the native Bahrainis. The two sides are taking stand to support one of the two sides. The Shia Muslims identify themselves with Imam Hussain and take firm stands against the Umayyad ruler, Yazid who had committed most heinous crime in the Islamic history, executing the grandson of Mohammed, together with 72 of his family members and supporters. It is a tense situation as the religious function has deep political connotations in Bahrain.
No sooner had the UK’s annual report praised Bahrain for “its long tradition of respecting and enabling FoRB” (Freedom of Religious Belief) than the khalifa regime waged massive attacks against the native majority Shia Muslim population. The khalifi Interior Minister targeted the commemoration of Ashura, the most important event for this majority. He said: “Bahrain is not a destination for religious tourism” regarding gatherings for Ashura/Muharram attended by Shia Muslims from overseas, mainly from neighbouring Gulf states. He added “We do not need preachers and reciters coming from abroad” claiming that Bahrain has enough preachers of its own. The UK’s misleading statement on religious freedom in Bahrain has no basis in reality and further encourages the Bahraini regime to continue to attack the religious rights of its Shia population. Moreover, the commemorations were specifically targeted in several towns. Flags and banners were removed from the streets of several towns including Al Markh, Aali, Hamad town and Al-Ghuraifa.
In Aali several young men protested the removal of the Ashura banners and were detained by the khalifi police. The regime forces could not arrest the young protesters fearing a serious flare up of the situation. They told their families: Give us your children and we will give back the banners.
A senior political prisoner has been rushed to hospital after his health deteriorated sharply. Cleric and opposition leader, Sheikh Mirza Al-Mahrous, was hospitalised on Monday. There are no details about his condition but he has been complaining of several ailments for which he had not received adequate treatment. He has been in jail since March 2011 for taking part in the protests.
On Sunday 23rd July, Saudi security forces detained a scholar for his religious activities among the Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province. Sheikh Saleh Al Gharib, from the town of Safwa had been summoned to the interrogation centre of Dammam city. He was detained at the gate and was not allowed to contact his family.
On 22nd July, Hilary Benn, MP commented on the case of human rights activist, Salma al-Shehab who had been given 34 years sentence by the Saudi regime. He said: It is shocking that Salma al-Shehab and Noura al-Qahtani are still detained by the Saudi authorities for what they said on Twitter. The UN has now spoken out about the treatment of both these women. They should be freed immediately. Her crime is following and retweeting human rights activists in Saudi Arabia on Twitter.
The diplomatic editor at the Guardian, Patrick Wintour has commented on the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince to a London visit. He tweeted: UK inviting MbS to London. Doubtless business to be done. But Riyadh’s legal system is an unsportswashable horror show. Here UN this month on the jailing of Salma al-Shehab for 27 years & Noura al-Qahtani for 45 years for tweeting about women’s rights.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
26th July 2023