Bahrain: Demise of Sheikh Al Jamri, the historic leader
The demise of Sheikh Abdul Amir Al Jamri was announced in Bahrain yesterday after an illness that lasted three years. Last night, tens of thousands of citizens joined the spectacular funeral that stretched over several kilometres in a show of defiance unparalleled in recent years.
Sheikh Al Jamri was the main religious figure during the national uprising against the Al Khlaifa regime between 1994 and 2000. He was mercilessly treated by the ruling family. First he was imprisoned in April 1995 with other senior activists and thousands of citizens, following the attack on his village, Bani Jamra in which two people were murdered. He was released in September of that year, only to be re-arrested few months later. On 21st January 1996, Sheikh Al Jamri and other senior political figures were arrested under the notorious State Security Law which had been imposed by the British colonial officer, Ian Henderson. While in prison Sheikh Al Jamri was maltreated, threatened with retribution and subjected to vicious psychological pressures in order to force him to give up his struggle. The worst was to come during the reign of the present ruler.
Sheikh Hamad became the ruler, in line with the system of hereditary dictatorship, after the death of his father, Sheikh Isa, in March 1999. The CIA then took a particular interest in the Bahraini situation, and encouraged the new ruler to introduce some reforms in return for more security measures to the domination of the ruling family. This political programme which is now being implemented has created a worse situation to the majority of the population who have been subjected to a fundamental demographic transformation. One of the first initiatives of Sheikh Hamad, was the release of Sheikh Al Jamri in the summer of 1999, under the most humiliating conditions. The Americans allowed him to administer victor’s justice. In the first week of July 1999 the Al Khalifa held a secret trial for Sheikh Al Jamri.
He was sentenced to ten years in jail and a penalty of BD15 million ($40 million). This led to a popular and legal outrage inside and outside the country. The following day (8th July 1999) Sheikh Hamad inflicted the most humiliating act on the country by parading Sheikh Al Jamri from the torture chamber to his palace. He was released only to be placed under house arrest for 18 months. The house arrest was lifted on 23rd January 2001. Two years later, Sheikh Al Jamri travelled to Germany for an operation to his back, during which he allegedly suffered a stroke. Suspicion has been raised about the circumstances of this stroke which had not been detected until a week later despite the fact that he had been under intensive care. The stroke crippled Sheikh Al Jamri’s health and he remained bed-stricken until his demise.
The human waves that participated in his funeral yesterday indicate the extent of love and respect of this unique leader who was present among the people in their hour of need. He will remain alive in the hearts and minds of the people of Bahrain.
Meanwhile, the Al Khalifa mercenaries attacked a peaceful demonstration in Manama on Sunday 17th December which was organised to mark the Day of the Martyrs. It was a vicious attack that led to injuries and arrests.
In London, a seminar was held yesterday (18th December) under the title “Elections without democracy or human rights). Several speakers took to the platform including Lord Avebury, the Vice-President of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee”, Hassan Mushaime, the Secretary General of Haq Movement in Bahrain, Ghada Jamsheer, a woman activist from Bahrain, Dr Salah Al Bandar and Mr Andrew Anderson of Frontline Defenders in Dublin. A one minute silence was observed in respect of Sheikh Al Jamri who had passed away earlier in the day. The event received good coverage from at least two TV stations.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
19 December 2006
