Bahraini Pro-Palestine activists detained, Saudis urged not to execute Al-Derazi
The ongoing Zionist war on Palestinians has intensified the polarization in the political map in Bahrain. The daily demonstrations by the native Bahrainis in support of the people of Palestine is contrasted by the pro-Israel stands of the khlaifi dictators. The past week witnessed unprecedented protests by the people against the declared policy of the regime calling it treachery, betrayal and a war on humanity. The exposure of the khalifi dictator and his clique as enemies of the Palestinian cause has angered the regime and caused it to commit more crimes against the native Bahrainis. The multiple daily protests have covered most towns and villages. Mosque Imams have declared their pro-Palestinian stands openly. Senior religious leaders have been open about their stand from the beginning.
First there have been the statements of support for the Palestinian victims of the Israeli killing machines. Ayatullah Sheikh Isa Qassim has been vocal in his principled stand, lambasting the Zionist attacks on the civilian population. The senior scholars inside Bahrain issued statements of support for the people of Palestine and called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador. The foreign minister of the khalifi regime has been disowned by some members of his tribe for supporting the Zionists. But what has startled many is the reaction of the native prisoners of conscience. From their torture chambers they issued statements expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine and asking the khalifi regime to expel the Israeli ambassador. The senior jailed figures of the Revolution have also issued a statement of support of the Palestinians. The khalifi regime has been angered by these statements that have exposed how isolated are the khalifis and how they are totally at odds with the natives in their perceptions and alliances.
The khalifi security forces have intensified their crackdown against pro-Palestine protests with several people arrested in recent days. The latest to be detained is Yasser Saeed (from Salmabad town). He was arrested after being summoned for questioning by police over his participation in Friday’s mass protests denouncing Israel’s onslaught on Gaza. Other detainees include: Ali Jum’a (from samaheej town), Mohammed Al Qallaf (from Al Nu’aim District of Manama), Sayed Ayman Mustafa Alawi (from Ghuraifa). They have been detained for at least a week ‘pending an investigation.’ Two other native Bahrainis were snatched from inside the khalifi court to serve one year prison sentence: Hussain Ayyoub, from Abu Quwwa and Sajjad Jaffar from Abu Saibaa.
Several activities have been held by the people in support of the Palestinians. The Committee Against Normalisation held a protest opposite the Palestinian Embassy in Manama. The khalifis had refused to grant permission to the protest, but when the Palestinian Ambassador requested the permission, it was given. Today a massive protest is expected to take place at the Financial Harbour in the heart of the capital. There are fears that the khalifis may use force to prevent the protest.
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs tweeted the following: “Hearing disturbing news that Bahraini woman human rights defender (WHRD Ebtisam Alsaegh has been the target of defamatory tweets on her return to Bahrain after #HRC54 side events in Geneva. The tweets have not been taken down. HRDs must be protected from retaliation for engaging with the UN.”
Political prisoner, Mohammed Al Raml, 63 has complained of serious dangers awaiting him that could seal his fate. He said: I feel in constant danger, especially as they transfer me to the hospital. He has been denied suitable treatment and those ailments have gradually become worse.
A Saudi human rights group has raised the alarm about the well-being of a political prisoner. ALQST said it is “very concerned about Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi, detained in Bulgaria since October 2021 after seeking asylum there. He is at risk of being deported to Saudi Arabia, where there are potential threats to his life and liberty.”
On 16th October, a UN expert expressed concern at the imminent execution in Saudi Arabia of Abdullah Al-Derazi, who is falsely accused of committing a crime when he was a child. Despite issuing a Royal Decree in 2020 aiming to abolish the death penalty for child defendants, including those convicted of terrorism offences, it is deeply concerning that the application of the decree remains uncertain,” said Morris Tidball-Binz the UN Special Rapporteur on summary, extrajudicial or arbitrary executions. “There were seven charges listed on Al-Derazi’s chargesheet, none of which were dated. The prosecution’s only evidence was his allegedly coerced confession,” Tidball-Binz said. UN experts have previously condemned the overly broad definition of “terrorism” under Saudi law, which facilitates the qualification of civil disobedience and critical views of the Government as “terrorist” acts. The Special Rapporteur called on Saudi Arabia to publish the text of the 2020 Royal Decree and enforce it for all defendants below the age of 18, regardless of their crime.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
18th October 2023