Bahrainis detained for peaceful protest, Saudi executions on the rise
The khalifi regime of Bahrain has intensified its campaign of repression against the natives. A wave of arrests has continued as the people insist on achieving a serious fundamental political change leading to a democratic transformation. On Monday 28th October Sayed Jaffar Al Mahfood from Saar town was detained after he had been summoned by the notorious CID officers. On the same day Abdulla Hussain Hassan from Malkiyah was arrested. Sayed Mohammed Hashim from Al-Markh town was also detained. On Saturday 26th October Ali Jaffar Islami from Duraz and Bassem Mohammed Al Basri from Sitra were detained when they were summoned by the CID officers. From Duraz, Ali Jaffar Khalil Al Ufsoor was remanded in custody for one week. The detention of another political prisoner, Ahmed Ali Mirza has been extended for 15 more days. The detention of Sayed Hassan Sayed Ahmed Mahdi has been extended by 15 more days. He was arrested after taking part in a peaceful pro-Palestine protest. Most recent detentions are linked to peaceful protests. Yesterday the regime’s prosecutors added two more weeks to the detention of Jamil Al-Shuwaikh. He was arrested on 18th October for no logical reason. Also, the detention of Sayed Hassan Isa, from Al-Markh town has been extended for two more weeks.
The serious disturbances at the notorious Jau prison have continued unabated. The political prisoners are protesting against the persistent power cuts that have continued since 14th July and the cutting of the hot water supplies. The inmates have removed the cell windows facing the outside of the prison in a serious escalation that could lead to major confrontations with the khalifi forces. On 26th October the riot police intervened and attempted to storm Bloc 7 which had been under the prisoners’ control since 26th March. The systematic policies against the rights of the prisoners include the provision of smaller meals and the lack of proper medical care and irregular family visits. The prison officials intensified their pressure by summoning more forces to encircle Blocs 6, 7 and 9 where the protesters have been staging their sit-ins.
The family of political prisoner, Hussain Marzooq are extremely worried for his well-being as the regime’s forces attempt to crush the prisoners’ rebellion against the inhumane conditions in the jail. They have not heard from him for more than one week despite approaching the prison officials for information. Many other families are also challenged by the circumstances and the lack of news from inside the torture chambers.
The continued detention of Mr Ali Muhanna, a teacher and an outspoken native Bahraini who stood up against the khalifi aggression has been in jail for more than three weeks. No legal reason was given for his arrest. He has been subjected to intensive interrogation about his tweets in support of the political prisoners and against the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. Mr Muhanna has been open about his views and stands, raising his voice against repression and in defence of the native Bahrainis who are arbitrarily detained by the khalifi dictatorship.
The harsh treatment of the native Bahrainis on death row is disturbing. Human rights activists have described this treatment as inhumane and argued that it does not calm the volatile situation in the khalifi jails. Native Bahraini Hassan Mahdi who has been on death row for several years has been subjected to horrific treatment in recent weeks. The regime’s prison officials have transferred him to the isolation wing for asking the prison officials to allow a visit by his father before undergoing a serious operation for cancer. He was not able to speak to his father even by phone. When Mohammed Ramadan and Hussain Mahdi, both on death row awaiting execution, showed solidarity with him, they were subjected to enforced disappearance.
Eleven organisations including Alqst and Fair Square Projects have voiced key concerns about FIFA’s Independent Human Rights Context Assessment of Saudi Arabia. They have raised deep misgivings at AS&H Clifford Chance’s flawed human rights assessment of the Saudi 2034 bid. The global firm risks being linked to abuses which result from the tournament. The assessment either entirely neglects to mention or offers no substantive analysis in relation to: the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly; the right to freedom of religion; the right to adequate housing; the right to non-discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity; and the rights to join and form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.
Following yesterday’s execution of four Yemeni men on drug-related charges, the Saudi authorities have executed at least 235 individuals in 2024. This again shows their disregard for human life and raises grave concerns for the lives of hundreds of others sentenced to death. Ten people were executed by the Saudi authorities in the past week. On Wednesday seven were killed, according to the official news agency. Five of them were Yemenis charged with drug smuggling. They include Yahya Lutf Allah, Ali Azeeb, Ahmed Ali and Salem Nahari. A Pakistani citizen was also beheaded. Two days ago two other people were also beheaded; Mohammed Tawfiq Saleem Arafah, a Jordanian and Sahl ibn Mit’eb Al Sahri, a Saudi citizen.
Ahmed al-Sultan is a Saudi engineer in his fifties. He was arrested two years ago and subsequently died in jail following medical negligence by the Saudi authorities, who ignored his urgent need for health care. Human rights activists have called for an investigation of the circumstances of his death and called on the authorities to provide adequate care to the prisoners.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
29th October 2024
