ALERT – BAHRAIN
23 October 2007
Three writers for banned Internet site convicted of criminal defamation, fined
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – On 21 October 2007, the Higher Criminal Court convicted three
Bahraini writers of insult and defamation, fined them 200 Bahraini Dinars
(approx. US$530) and charged them 51 BD (approx. US$135) in damages, in
addition to court fees.
The writers were convicted of defaming the director of Dar Al-Manar Elderly
Care Centre and her husband, in an article published in the electronic
ALERT – BAHRAIN
23 October 2007
Three writers for banned Internet site convicted of criminal defamation, fined
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – On 21 October 2007, the Higher Criminal Court convicted three
Bahraini writers of insult and defamation, fined them 200 Bahraini Dinars
(approx. US$530) and charged them 51 BD (approx. US$135) in damages, in
addition to court fees.
The writers were convicted of defaming the director of Dar Al-Manar Elderly
Care Centre and her husband, in an article published in the electronic
journal “Al-Saheefa” ( http://www.alsaheefa.net ). The three writers are Mr
Saleh Al-Amm, a journalist, writer and the editor of the journal; Muath
Al-Meshari, a columnist for “Al-wasat” newspaper; and Fareed Al-Shayeb, a
writer for “Al-Saheefa”.
“Al-Saheefa” is one of the electronic sites banned within Bahrain by the
local authorities.
The case began earlier in 2007, when the public prosecution detained and
interrogated Al-Amm, later releasing him on bail of 500 BD (approx.
US$1330) after charging him with insult and defamation over content on the
website. The Lower Criminal Court sentenced Al-Amm to three months’
imprisonment or a fine of 300 BD (approx. US$795). In addition, Al-Meshari
and Al-Shayeb were fined 200 BD for writing several articles on the website
related to the management of Dar Al-Manar, in which they alleged
administrative and financial corruption.
The three defendants appealed this first conviction in March. However, the
Appeal Court ruled non-jurisdiction and transferred the case to the High
Criminal Court, which declared its ruling on 21 October, charging the three
writers with defamation, as outlined by Article 365 of the Bahraini Penal
Code, Article 15, of 1976.
It is to be noted this Penal Code article and the Press Code number 47 of
2002 have been used, in recent months, to interrogate and prosecute more
than 14 journalists as well as bloggers and website administrators.
The BCHR expresses its concern over the systematic attack on all forms of
free expression in Bahrain, through the use of notorious laws, promulgated
to curtail that freedom.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the Bahraini authorities:
– asking that they stop harassing journalist and writers
– requesting that they lift the bans on all electronic sites dealing with
public, cultural and human rights affairs relevant to Bahrain
– urging them to nullify those laws that infringe upon free expression, to
ensure conformity with international human rights standards
APPEALS TO:
His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-khalifa, King of Bahrain
Riffa, Bahrain
Fax: +973 1721 1363
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
Cabinet Prime Minister
Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 1721 1363
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information contact Nabeel Rajab, Vice-President, BCHR, Manama,
Bahrain, tel: +973 3963 3399 / 3940 0720, fax: +973 1779 5170, e-mail:
nabeel.rajab@bahrainrights.org, info@bahrainrights.org, Internet:
http://www.bahrainrights.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of BCHR.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit BCHR.