Arrests on Bahrain’s Independence Day, Saudis detain two influencers
On Monday 14th August Bahrainis marked the Independence Day to mark the withdrawal of the British forces from the country which was completed on that day in 1971. People staged demonstrations against the continued British support of the khalifi dictatorship that was imposed on the country. In London, the Bahrain Opposition Bloc organized several events including a protest outside the khalifi embassay, a picture exhibition at Marble Arch and a seminar at TSSA centre in London.
The strike by the political prisoners at Jaw Rehabilitation and Reform Center has escalated. The Centre is a facility holding many of the prisoners identified by human rights activists as dissidents who oppose the rule of the Al Khalifa family. The political prisoners have presented four main demands: An end to the isolation of the prisoners held in Building 3 and others placed in buildings with criminal prisoners in violation of their classification; Increasing the time allowed outside the cell (which is now only one hour every day) and to allow prayers in congregation at the building mosque; Amended visit rules to relieve constraints like glass barriers and allow non first-degree relatives and Provision of proper medical care and access to education.
There has been strong support among the people for the prisoners strike. Native Bahrainis staged demonstrations and protests at several towns including: Al Sahla Al Janoubiyah, Nuwaidrat, Karzakkan, Demstan, Bani Jamra and Sanabis. Also several people outside prison went on hunger strike in solidarity with the political prisoners. They include Sheikh Ghazi Al-Sammak and local activist Ali Muhanna. Sayed Ali Alawi from Saar Town also joined the hunger strike under the motto: We have rights. He said the hunger strikers will not end their action until their demands are met. At least 15 of them have collapsed due to a sharp drop of sugar levels in the blood. On Sunday, a group of religious scholars called on able members of the public to join the mass hunger strike at Jau Prison. Ten detained political leaders signed a statement supporting the action by the prisoners including: Abdul Wahab Hussain, Hassan Mushaima, Dr Abdul Jalil Al Singace and Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja.
Political prisoner Ahmed Saleh Ali said: the detainees are falling one after the other as a result of the strike. Ali Sangoor who has spent over 10 years behind bars said that the prison officials are denying them medical care for the ailments that they themselves had caused. Majid Ashoor and Isa Hassan blame the prison officials for the ailments that could result from the hunger strike.
Meanwhile, the khalifis have escalated their attacks on the political prisoners. Yesterday Ahmed Jaffar was transferred to solitary confinement one day after beginning his hunger strike. He had been handed by the Serbian authorities to Bahrain two years ago. Mohammad Hassan Al Raml, 63, was rushed to hospital after his medical condition had become critical.
On another front, regime forces have raided several homes and detained native Bahrainis in revenge for their support of the mass movement against the khalifi dictatorship. In a raid on his home in Duraz, Jawad Mirza Al Durazi was arrested yesterday. From Al Markh town, Sayed Ali Sayed Sadiq was also arrested and remanded in custody for one week. Two other native Bahrainis from Al Ekr town were also detained: Abdulla Shawqi and Maitham Al Mughanni.
In the 2023 Press Freedom Index Bahrain ranked 171st, making it one of the ten worst countries in the world in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression. This, in itself, is an indictment of a regime intent on denying the natives their basic freedoms, especially that of speech and opinion. Over 95 percent of the 1300 detainees were arrested because of their opinion that they had expressed in various ways including statements and protests.
The human rights prominent activist, Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja has been transferred to hospital suffering from irregular heart beats. For 12 years, Al-Khawaja has been unjustly imprisoned, tortured and denied necessary medical treatment. He is on yet another hunger strike protesting inhumane prison conditions. Doctors worry he may not survive. “Abdulhadi may not survive… for more than a few days” said Dr. Damien McCormack from Ireland who has been following Al Khawaja’s situation for years. On 14th August Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders said: “I’m very worried by recent reports on Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s health, as he spends a 12th year in prison for his peaceful defence of human rights in Bahrain. Adbulhadi should not be in prison. He should be released.”
A prominent Saudi scholar and Snapchat influencer has been arrested by Saudi authorities which is evident of the kingdom’s extreme crackdown on social media users. The arrest of Mohammed Alhajji, a public health expert who completed his dissertation in the US, follows the disappearance and recent arrests of other prominent influencers for “crimes” that include the perceived criticism of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and support for women’s rights. There was no indication of why the influencer – who was seen as apolitical and supportive of the Saudi government – was detained. Alhajji had been scheduled to speak at an event in Riyadh on Sunday, but observers noted that a tweet describing the event had been deleted in recent days.
On Thursday 10th August a popular orator from the Eastern Province, was also detained. Mustafa Al Faraj, the brother of Aqeel Al Faraj who was executed in March 2022 together with 80 others in one day, was arrested from his workplace.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
16th August 2023
