Bahraini executed youths remembered, Detained Saudi HRD praised
Bahraini people have marked the cold-blooded killing seven years ago by the khalifi regime of three native Bahrainis. Abbas Al Sami’, Sami Mushaima and Ali Al Singace were executed in the early hours of 15th January 2017 after a flawed trial condemned by human rights bodies. The dictator, Hamad al-Khalifa signed the order to kill them. Bahrainis have accused the khalifi hereditary rulers of violence and gross violation of human rights. Several demonstrations were held in the past two days raising slogans like “Down with Hamad”. There were protests in Duraz, Salmabad, Sitra and other places. Some activists visited the graves of the martyrs to pay respect and draw positive energy to enable the continuation of the struggle.
One day before the seventh anniversary of the execution of the three youths, the khalifi regime continued arresting native Bahrainis and persecuting them. Jassim Al Sami’, 17 was detained on the Saudi-Bahraini causeway on his way to Mecca to perform religious rituals. He is a brother of one of the three martyrs. Another Bahraini youth was also arrested. Mohammed Al Halal, 17 from Sitra was summoned by the torture chamber on 14th January where he was detained. He did not commit any punishable offence. Jaffar Ali Sangur.16. from Sitra has also been arrested. He had been sentenced in absentia for six months. He was accused of taking part in peaceful protests.
On 14th January a khalifi court issued six-month prison sentence on Mohammed Abdul Zahra, 17 from Sitra. The charge was “illegal gathering” and “chanting anti-regime slogans”. Last September he was also given a one-year prison sentence. Three Bahraini youths, who were jailed in November for taking part in pro-Palestine protests, have been ordered to stand trial later this month. Mohammed Hani Mohammed, 20 from Al Zahra town, Hussain Abd Ali Marhoon, 18 from Malikiyah and Hussain Al Jaziri, 19 from Sitra had their pre-trial detention extended until their first court hearing scheduled for January 31.
The decision by the khalifi dictators to join the “Red Sea Alliance” formed by the US, UK and several other countries has been widely condemned by the natives. They say it compromises the safety and security of the country at a time of heightened tension. They also say that Bahrain does not share common borders with Yemen and has not been targeted in any way by the Yemenis. The khalifi decision to join the alliance is a provocation of the Yemenis and could seriously backfire. No other Arab country has joined the offensive Alliance.
Last week common law prisoners at a Bahraini jail attacked two political prisoners; Ebrahim AlSamahiji and Ahmed Shaker at Bloc 2, ward 4 of the notorious Jau Prsion. Ahmed was hospitalized for severe eye injuries. The prison officials tried to cover up the attack which demonstrates serious failures on their part. The families of the victims were not immediately informed. Instead of prosecuting the attackers the prison officials imposed solitary confinement on Shaker and AlSamahiji, depriving them of contact with their families.
Despite repeated requests to travel to Bahrain and visit the prisoners, the regime has refused to allow the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in the country. Recently the group sent a reminder of their request to the khalifi officials, but they have received no positive answers. The regime has refused to allow any external human rights body to visit the country for fear of serious consequences. It has a lot to hide from the outside world after decades of persecution, ill-treatment, torture and extra-judicial killings.
It has now been three years since the arrest of Saudi women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab. She is a PhD student at the University of Leeds and mother of two children. Salma is serving a 27-year prison sentence – reduced last year from 34 – for tweeting in support of human rights. Calls have been made by international human rights bodies for her freedom. Index on Censorship remembered her saying: Today, we reflect on the third year of Salma al-Shehab’s imprisonment. Her courage in the face of injustice inspires us all. Join the call for her freedom, use your voice, and let the world hear our collective plea.”
Mary Lawlor, The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders has expressed concern at the ongoing enforced disappearance of Manahel al-Otaibi, a Saudi fitness instructor detained for expressing her support for women’s rights on social media. On 11th January she tweeted: “Hearing deplorable news that #Saudi WHRD Manahel Al-Otaibi, detained on charges related to her peaceful work, has had no family contact for 2+ months. Despite recent social reforms, she was arrested in late 2022 after calling for an end to male guardianship.”
Meanwhile ALQST for Human Rights has tweeted: ALQST is gravely concerned to learn that #Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair has been subjected to beatings from another inmate in Dhahban Prison. We hold #SaudiArabia’s authorities responsible for the welfare of Abu al-Khair and all other prisoners of conscience.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
17th January 2024