31 December 2007
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – According to the Bahraini Journalists Association (BJA) and
eye witnesses, on 25 December 2007, the Bahraini Security Forces (BSF)
harassed and verbally and physically assaulted journalists Ali Al-Shehabi
(of “Al-Al-Ayam” newspaper), Husain Al-Orrayed (of “Al-Waqt” newspaper) and
Mohammed Al-Mukharraq (of “Al-Wasat” newspaper).
31 December 2007
SOURCE: Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Manama
(BCHR/IFEX) – According to the Bahraini Journalists Association (BJA) and
eye witnesses, on 25 December 2007, the Bahraini Security Forces (BSF)
harassed and verbally and physically assaulted journalists Ali Al-Shehabi
(of “Al-Al-Ayam” newspaper), Husain Al-Orrayed (of “Al-Waqt” newspaper) and
Mohammed Al-Mukharraq (of “Al-Wasat” newspaper).
The BSF officers also confiscated the journalists’ mobile phones. The BSF
took these actions to prevent the journalists from reporting on the attack
these forces were staging against a peaceful protest taking place outside
the public prosecutor’s office.
Relatives of detained individuals were holding a sit-in, demanding to see
family members who had been arrested in prior days. The public prosecutor
refused their request, amidst spreading rumours that the detainees were
being subject to torture. The BSF forcefully dispersed the protestors. The
BSF officers also assaulted the journalists to prevent them from reporting
on the incident.
The BCHR expresses its concern over the actions of the BSF, which violate
the journalists’ right to freedom of expression and to collect and impart
information, and which reflect poorly on the attitude of local authorities
towards freedom of expression and the practise of journalism in Bahrain.
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