Front Line: The Deteriorating Situation for Human Rights Defenders

Front Line – 24 November 2004

Front Line has renewed concerns for the physical and psychological safety of Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, after sources reported that he may have been ill-treated while being forcibly carried into court on 7th November 2004. Observers have described Abdul Hadi as bare-chested and visibly bruised. Front Line calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja as his detention is arbitrary.

Front Line is concerned that the situation for human rights defenders in Bahrain is deteriorating. From reports received approximately 30 people, including human rights defenders, have been arrested and charged under a number of articles of the penal code of 1976, a document which was widely condemned by the UN and human rights organisations throughout the 80s and 90s. Among those detained are Abdul-Raoof Al-Shayeb (Spokesperson) and Mahmood Ramadan (Board member) of the National Committee for Martyrs & Victims of Torture in Bahrain, and Jaffar Hassan Ahmed Isa.

Front Line – 24 November 2004

Front Line has renewed concerns for the physical and psychological safety of Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, after sources reported that he may have been ill-treated while being forcibly carried into court on 7th November 2004. Observers have described Abdul Hadi as bare-chested and visibly bruised. Front Line calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja as his detention is arbitrary.

Front Line is concerned that the situation for human rights defenders in Bahrain is deteriorating. From reports received approximately 30 people, including human rights defenders, have been arrested and charged under a number of articles of the penal code of 1976, a document which was widely condemned by the UN and human rights organisations throughout the 80s and 90s. Among those detained are Abdul-Raoof Al-Shayeb (Spokesperson) and Mahmood Ramadan (Board member) of the National Committee for Martyrs & Victims of Torture in Bahrain, and Jaffar Hassan Ahmed Isa.