URGENT APPEAL
ACTIVIST RAJAB HOSPITALIZED
FIVE OTHERS AWAIT PROPER TREATMENT AS A RESULT OF ATTACK BY STATE MILITARY FORCES
6th September 2005
Ref: 05090601
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has received today, with concerns, news about a well-known human rights activist, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, who was taken by ambulance to Salmaneyya Government hospital. Mr. Rajab was unable to move a result of severe back pain which he suffered when attacked by the Bahraini military forces while intending to participate into a peaceful demonstration by the Unemployed on July 15th, 2005.
URGENT APPEAL
ACTIVIST RAJAB HOSPITALIZED
FIVE OTHERS AWAIT PROPER TREATMENT AS A RESULT OF ATTACK BY STATE MILITARY FORCES
6th September 2005
Ref: 05090601
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has received today, with concerns, news about a well-known human rights activist, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, who was taken by ambulance to Salmaneyya Government hospital. Mr. Rajab was unable to move a result of severe back pain which he suffered when attacked by the Bahraini military forces while intending to participate into a peaceful demonstration by the Unemployed on July 15th, 2005.
The initial medical diagnosis showed a vertebral slippage in his backbone, which requires surgery. A delicate surgical operation of this kind is a great danger as any failure could result in a total immobility. BCHR demands that the Bahraini authorities to bear its responsibilities and save Mr Rajab from danger by arranging for immediate and secure surgical operation.
It is to be noted that a group of citizens, attacked by Bahraini military forces during gathering to commence a peaceful demonstration for the Unemployed, have been receiving medical treatment n public hospitals, but because of the deficiency of the process, some have reverted to private hospitals irrespective of their downgraded financial situation. These include:
1- Nabeel Rajab, 1964, Human Rights activist, vertebral slippage in back bone (currently in Salmaneyya Governmental Hospital)
2- Hassan Ali Fatil Al-sarri, 22yrs, recently employed, suffering from damaged nerves in his right hand (not receiving any treatment)
3- Imad Husain Abbas Madan, 1983, unemployed, receiving physiotherapy in his neck, difficulty of head maneuver
4- Yousef Ahemd Husain Ali, 1978, unemployed, still receiving treatment in the lower back bone.
5- Mosa abdali Ali Mohammed, 1981, unemployed, still walking with crutches, receiving physiotherapy and treatment in lower backbone and right leg.
6- Abdulhadi Al-khawja, 1961, Human rights activist, still receiving treatment in Salmaneyya Governmental Hospital for broken and malfunction of the upper frontal teeth.
These cases are amongst 94 individuals who were reported to be attacked in peaceful gathering of the unemployed on 19th June 2005 in front of the Royal Court and Riffa police station and on 15th July 2005 near the National Council Building in Manama. Among those attacked were 3 women, 3 human rights activists, 3 journalists. 69 of the victims were youths between 17 and 30 years old.
Although 20 individuals filed cases to the Public Prosecution Office after the two attacks on June 19th, no measures were taken by that office which encouraged the military forces to repeat its third attack on July 15th, less than a month from the previous. The Public Prosecutor has refused earlier to send his representatives to Riffa Police station to collect videos, evidences of attacks and witnesses, an attitude encouraged for the second attack in that station.
Two months have elapsed from the first and second attack, and almost 7 weeks from the third, but the Authorities in Bahrain have not responded to the numerous international appeals requesting an immediate and transparent investigation concluding in showing the facts, prosecuting those responsible, providing medical treatment and rewarding the victims as well as taking measures to prevent reoccurrence in the future.
The victims of attack have consequently decided to form a committee of their own and commence a campaign starting with meeting the King of Bahrain to furnish complete memorandum enclosing full details, proofs and photos. This is in addition to organizing popular activities to push the authorities to take up their responsibilities towards what had happened and preventing it from its reoccurrence.
BCHR is demanding the Bahraini Authorities to disclose the motives for the excessive force used against the peacefully gathered people, without an excuse, the justifications of using the militants who have been covering their faces with masks, and the names of the officials who gave the instructions. Also, BCHR demands the investigations in what appears to be a collaboration from the Public Prosecution Office, and its short fall in compliance with its duties towards the victims and their complains. BCHR demands the disclosure of the photos and videos which were taken by the authorities or those confiscated from the participants in these peaceful gatherings.