Forces Surround Bahraini Capital to Prevent Anti-Prime Minister Rally
Organizers Call off Rally Fearing for Safety of Participants
Another Violation of Freedom of Expression and Gathering Added to the Deteriorating Bahraini Record
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 07063000
Forces Surround Bahraini Capital to Prevent Anti-Prime Minister Rally
Organizers Call off Rally Fearing for Safety of Participants
Another Violation of Freedom of Expression and Gathering Added to the Deteriorating Bahraini Record
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 07063000
Three major violations are added to the Bahraini authorities’ slate of human rights violations, as the authorities have put people’s safety at risk and prevented the voicing of opposition to the policies of the Prime Minister by use of threats and show of force. Freedom of expression is a sanctified human right and is regretfully being continuously compromised in Bahrain as the authorities continue in banning and forcefully preventing demonstrations and peaceful protests.
The Bahraini Special Security Forces (SSF) commenced from the early hours of the afternoon
in closing down all the main entrances to the Ras-Al-Rumman area in the centre of the capital Manama, where a rally was to be staged by civil and human rights activists in protest to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme presenting the Bahraini Prime Minister an “Achievements in Human Settlements” award. The Bahraini Prime Minister, who has been in power for 37 years is known for corruption and is responsible for torture and human rights violations in the past era .
The rally was to begin at Ras-Al-Rumman and end at the United National building in Manama. However, the area was closed down and the SSF were spread in large numbers in all the gateways to the Bahraini Capital, preventing access. This act came following threats by the Ministry of Interior, a couple of days ago, of using live ammunition against protesters should the rally proceed. The Organizers decided, at the last minute and after following the developments, to call off the rally in fear for the safety of the participants and have voiced their concerns at the Interior Ministries method of dealing with freedom of expression and peaceful protests.
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights objects to the Bahraini authorities’ continuous use of unnecessary force and show of power in addition to its use of threats in dealing with activists and peaceful protests. Furthermore, the BCHR commends the organizers for calling off the rally in order to avoid confrontation.