Daily protests challenge khalifi legitimacy, Saudi activists sentenced
The families of Bahraini political prisoners have been protesting daily to demand the immediate and unconditional release of their beloved sons from khalifi jails. Over the past week daily protests took place in Bilad Al Qadim, Duraz, Karranah, Karzakkan, Abu Saiba, Ma’amir, Maqsha, Dar Kulaib, Bani Jamra, al-Markh, al-Sehla, al-Dair, Samahij, al-Malikiyah, al-Sanabis, Nuwaidrat, Salmabad, al-Hamala, Sitra, Abu-Quwwa and Demstan. The regime insists on holding native Bahrainis as hostages, many of whom have spent more than ten years in incarceration.
On 17th April scores of political prisoners were subjected to horrific treatment for demanding improvement in medical, sanitation and human care. Inmates at Blocs 12 and 13 of the notorious Jau Prison had been protesting inside jail after one their colleagues, Abbas Malallah was left to die for lack of medical care. At mid-day khalifi special forces stormed the buildings, threw sound grenades and rushed to beat the inmates with their truncheons. They directed serious blows to the faces of the prisoners. Many received serious injuries to their faces and were seen bleeding heavily. The floor of bloc 13 was covered in blood. Political prisoners Saeed Abdul Emam and Sayed Alawi Al Wada’ei sustained horrific wounds as the attackers encircled each of them beating and kicking them. Sayed Al Wada’ei was lifted and thrown on the floor. The attack was led by two notorious officers: Ahmad Al Hamadi and Mohammad Abdul Hamid. Before the attack started, the cameras in the corridors were covered to stop them documenting the khalifi crime.
The prisoners were further punished by being denied the evening meal to break their fast. Meanwhile inmates at Bloc 20 are refusing to receive their dawn meal in protest against the forced disappearance of their fellow inmates. Following the horrific attack on Saturday, scores were led away from their cells and forcibly disappeared. They are demanding to know their fate after sustaining cruel torture. Meanwhile inmates at Bloc 20 are refusing to receive their dawn meal in protest against the forced disappearance of their fellow inmates. Following the horrific attack on Saturday, scores were led away from their cells and forcibly disappeared. They are demanding to know their fate after sustaining cruel torture. Concerns are rising for the health of Mohammad Al Da’saki who has, over the past two weeks, been suffering various ailments with high temperature and stomach pain. The lack of treatment eventually caused his heart valve to collapse. He was rushed to hospital where an emergency operation was performed. His health remains critical.
The mother of three political prisoners has not received any call from them for more than two weeks. Muhsin, Raja’ei and Mohammad Ali Baddao, inmates at Bloc 13 have been subjected to horrific treatment and torture and denied contact with their family. Their mother is extremely concerned for their safety.
The three brothers of political prisoner, Mohammad Al Daqqaq were detained for two nights at Al Nu’aim and Dry Doc prisons for demanding his release. He has Sickle Cell blood disease which makes him extremely vulnerable to Covid-19. The three brothers, Anwar, Yasser and Younus Al Daqqaq were forced to pay BD3000 ($8500) before they were released.
Yesterday Saudi human rights defender Mohammed Al Rabiah was sentenced to six years in prison by the Specialised Criminal Court (SSC) for criticizing the regime. In recent weeks, the Saudi authorities have sentenced several human rights defenders and peaceful critics to lengthy prison terms, including Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, Israa al-Ghomgham and Mohammed al-Otaibi. Sheikh Mohammad Moosa Al Sharif has been sentenced to five years. He is a pilot with the Saudi Airways and a member of the international scientific committee of the Holy Quran.
Families and friends of human right defender and co-founder of Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) Mohammad Al Qahtani have not heard from him since he tested positive with Covid19 few weeks ago. His wife and family are extremely worried. Saudi officials have been denying their requests to speak to him to check on his health and safety.
The eighth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain Alhathloul. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the spring plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), held in a “hybrid” format in Strasbourg. Accepting the award on her behalf in a virtual address, Loujain’s sister Lina Alhathloul thanked the award committee: “International support is the only way we can expose the injustices in my country and protect the victims. Thank you for giving us the strength to continue our fight.”
Bahrain Freedom Movement
21 April 2021 (info@vob.org, www.vob.org)