Bahrainis react to the Palestine crisis, Saudis urged to stop death penalty
The events in Palestine have impacted on the native Bahrainis who rushed to the streets to support the cause and express solidarity with the victims. Demonstrations took place in many towns and villages, day and night. Palestinian flags were raised and pro-Palestine slogans were raised. Many drew parallels between Bahrain and Palestine arguing that both countries are under occupation and the people of both countries are subjected to persecution, harassment, killing, displacement and imprisonment. Since the khalifi dictators normalized their relations with Israel three years ago, the people have drawn a line in the relations with their dictators whom they accuse of treachery and betrayal of the Palestinian cause. They also called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from the country. The whole country has been incensed by the statement of the khalifi foreign ministry which was hostile to the Palestinians and sympathetic with the occupiers.
Meanwhile the regime has continued its persecution policies. This week two native youths were arrested after severe interrogation by the torture officers. Saeed Ali Abdulla Abdul Karim and Muhammed Shawqi were detained and transferred to prison cells. The second boy was taken to the Dry Dock Detention Centre.
Two native Bahrainis who had completed their prison sentences have not been released. Alawi Al Wadaei ended his eight years prison sentence and was due to be freed. But the khalifi officials invented a new charge of “assault” during prison riots on 17th April 2021. He was given a new sentence of three years. Hassan Ali Al Shuwaikh had completed ten years but was remanded again to serve the new three years sentence. This ill-treatment amounts to immoral persecution. The new sentences were imposed without proper trials.
Last week political prisoner Mohammed Abbas Abdul Rasool was transferred from his cell to Salmaniya Hospital. He was in a critical condition that demanded an immediate operation. Since his arrest three weeks ago he has been subjected to severe torture causing him severe injuries that necessitated immediate surgery. Another political Prisoner, Abdul Aziz Abdul Reda has been on hunger strike since 19th September in protest against his treatment. He is asking for a retrial in a court of law to prove his innocence. He had committed no crime that is punishable by law and is considered “prisoner of conscience”.
In its annual 2023 Country Report, Freedom House discussed the internet freedom in Bahrain. The report’s overview said: “Internet freedom in Bahrain remains restricted. Authorities frequently block websites and force the removal of online content, particularly social media posts criticizing the government. While social media remains a key space for activism and dissent, self-censorship is high due to the fear of online surveillance and intimidation from authorities. Journalists and activists who work online continue to face criminal penalties, extralegal harassment, and invasive surveillance by the state. The monarchy dominates state institutions, and elections for the lower house of parliament are no longer competitive or inclusive. Since violently crushing a popular prodemocracy protest movement in 2011, the monarchy has systematically eliminated a broad range of political rights and civil liberties, dismantled the political opposition, and cracked down harshly on persistent dissent among the Shiite population.”
This week the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, reiterated his call to Bahrain to release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, being a “prisoner of conscience”. Nyaletsossi said in a video posted by the “Bahrain Center for Human Rights” on the “X” platform that “In February 2023, my colleagues and I raised our concern to Bahrain government about the detention of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja who was arrested in April 2011 for participating in the peaceful protest requesting political reform.”
On the International Day against the Death Penalty on 10th October, 76 parliamentarians from national and EU parliaments have signed a joint statement expressing concern at the alarming escalation in use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia and calling on the Saudi authorities to implement a moratorium on executions and adopt legal reforms. The statement, organised by ALQST, has been signed by 13 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), 28 German MdBs, 11 British MPs, 11 Irish Parliamentarians and 13 French Parliamentarians. It notes the soaring rate of executions since the rise to power of Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman, with 196 individuals executed in 2022 alone and 110 this year so far (as of 10 October). The statement also refers to regressive trends which contradict pledges made by the authorities, including the resumption of executions for drug-related offences and the sentencing to death of several young men for offences that took place when they were minors.
Human rights activists are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of a young Saudi man who has spent five years behind bars. Abdullah al-Derazi celebrated his 28th birthday behind bars. His family is extremely sad and worried for his life. He has been on death for taking part in peaceful protests to call for political reforms. He was only 17 years of age when he joined the demonstrations in the Eastern Province of Arabia.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
11th October 2023
