Bahrain: Damning report by Freedom House
A damning report has been published by the Washington-based Freedom House, that describes itself as “a clear voice for democracy and freedom around the world. The overview of the Freedom House 2008 report states clearly the following: “The government of Bahrain pursued its crackdown on opposition activists in 2007.
Critics of the ruling al-Khalifa family staged regular public gatherings demanding greater human and political rights, which security forces forcibly dispersed. Authorities continued to limit free expression, blocking access to popular websites and detaining prominent figures who publicly criticized state leaders. Meanwhile, simmering sectarian tensions between the country’s majority Shiite population and the ruling Sunni minority persisted during the year.”
The policy of repression has continued unabated throughout the year. Several local NGOs have published a joint statement condemning the recent decision by the ruling family to punish civil servants severely if they oppose the regime in anyway. The Civil Service Office has issued details of this policy of revenge against those who take part in public demonstrations even if they take place outside office hours. The punishment could reach the stage of dismissal. Last week the ministry of education and the various departments attached to it issued a circular to all employees with some details of the intended revenge actions. It said: “Anyone who calls for, takes part in or encourage strikes in the government sectors will be liable to punishment that could reach dismissal from his/her job”. Five local NGOs signed a statement against this escalation in the war by the ruling family against Bahrainis. Among the signatories are the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Haq Movement, the Society of Bahrain Youth for Human Rights, the Bahraini Society for Human Rights and the Society to support public freedoms.
Meanwhile the ruling family has decided to delay further the release of prisoners falsely accused of committing arson attacks. A foreign policeman died last December in suspicious circumstances (and is widely believed to have been killed by other policemen after a row among them). The farm of a notorious torturer (Abdul Azia Atiyyat Allah Al Khalifa) was also attacked. The court session, presided over by a member of the ruling Al Khalifa family, yesterday adjourned the trial until 6th October. The Bahrainis who appeared at the show trial exposed their horrific tortures and detailed their ordeal during the session, but the Al Khalifa failed to take action to investigate the crime of torture against the powerless prisoners.
They named Ali Qambar as one of those who had committed gross violations of human rights against them and administered inhumane acts against several of them. The Al Khalifa judge refused to order an investigation into this crime and, instead of ordering their immediate release, has adjourned the trial. Among the torture techniques administered against them is subjecting them to stand for long periods, using electric shocks, pouring cold water onto them, denying them family visits and cursing their religion.
At another level, senior religious scholars have signed a statement condemning the banning by the ruling family of building mosques and matams (congregation halls used by Shia Muslims to commemorate their martyrs). The statement is a rare step by the scholars who have sought not to escalate the encounter with the ruling family, and it indicates the extent of anger simmering in the hearts of Bahrainis as the ruling family continues its single-handed crimes against the people of Bahrain.
The decision came at a time when fingers of accusation are pointed to senior members of the Al Khalifa for failing to distributed housing units intended for those who have no house or shelter. It was reported that a senior female member of the ruling family has snatched all the houses intended for the homeless although people had been informed that they had been given a house. More than 200 of the homeless have taken part in a peaceful picket for several weeks asking for their houses to be returned to them.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
9 Th September 2008