On National Day, Bahrain turns into a security quagmire
Authorities prevent an annual demonstration in commemoration of martyrs and torture victims
On National Day, Bahrain turns into a security quagmire
Authorities prevent an annual demonstration in commemoration of martyrs and torture victims
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expresses its grave concern over the Bahraini authority’s decision to prevent a scheduled demonstration on 17 December 2009 in commemoration of martyrs and victims of torture. The Committee of Martyrs and victims of torture calls for this demonstration on an annual basis and followed the usual procedures and laws required to carry out a peaceful demonstration. Despite this the authorities refused to allow the demonstration to go ahead on this day which coincides with the coronation celebrations in what the state terms National Day.
Since the nineties, the Committee for martyrs and victims of torture has used 17 December to remember and pray for their loved ones. 17 December 1994 was the day in which the first two martyrs of the popular uprising were killed. Hani Ahmed Alwasti (22 years) and Hani Abbas Khamis (24 years) were shot dead in protests calling for the return of the parliament and the constitution. On the same day in 2007, another martyr was also killed, Ali Jassim, when participating in a demonstration to mark this annual event.
Bahrain witnessed severe unrest and a popular uprising between 1994-1997 demanding political reform, the return of parliamentary life and constitution which was abandoned by the previous Emir, as well as demanding an end to sectarian discrimination against the shia and the release of political prisoners. During this period, around 40 citizens were shot dead by special security forces, consisting mostly of foreign mercenaries, or as a result of severe torture whilst under police arrest.
The Committee for martyrs and victims of torture marks this day to demand from the authorities an investigation into these cases in order to ascertain and punish those responsible for death and abuse and to bring them to trial in a fair court so that the victims and their families can gain justice and compensation. The authorities have thus far refused to acknowledge or cooperate with the committee. In fact a royal decree (law 56) has given immunity to all those in the security forces who may have committed any crime prior to 2002, and in some cases has given officials implicated in these crimes promotion to higher position, as well as medals and gifts.
Whilst the state television channel was airing continuously the coronation celebrations organized and staged by the government, the contrasting reality was the image of many villages and suburbs of Manama turning into a battle field, surrounded by security forces ready to attack protestors who chose to defy the ban. This build up of security had begun up to a month earlier. On the day, all routes into the area where the demonstration was planned to take place were blocked, and helicopters were monitoring the villages from the sky. As a result, many confrontations occurred between people living in the villages and the security forces. Arrests of protestors took place, some of them children. The BCHR is aware of the following arrested persons:
AbdAlrasool Alsafi[1] (16 years), who suffers from mental problems and is under the care of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of those with Special Needs
Yousif Ahmed (14 years)
Hasan Ali Asghar (17 years)
Ali Hasan Saleh (15 years)
Abdullah Jaffar Abdulwahab (19 years)
Most of those arrested seem to be from Sitra and surrounding areas. Confounding the situation is the security force’s use of tear gas, live ammunition and rubber bullets against protestors and passersby in the village. The protests around National Day have engulfed many areas in Bahrain, sparing few. Abdali Mohammed Hasan, an MP, was also hit by rubber bullets as he stood outside his home in Nuwaidrat on 18 December.
The BCHR is concerned that the prevention of peaceful and legal demonstrations is driving the frustration and anger of a few who resort to violent means of protest. The BCHR also believes that preventing channels of expression and peaceful gatherings is a glaring violation of human rights and freedom of expression. Article 20 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights which states that everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Based on the above, the BCHR calls on the authorities to stop preventing peaceful protests that respect the law – a right enshrined in international treaties ratified by Bahrain. The BCHR also demands that the Bahraini government begins an open and effective dialogue to discuss past crimes of torture and death in the nineties as part of truth and reconciliation process to allow the families of the victims to gain justice and move on.
