Call for an end to the Harassment of Human Right Activists in the Region
Harassment of Prominent UAE Human Rights Activists by Special Security Forces
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06080400
Call for an end to the Harassment of Human Right Activists in the Region
Harassment of Prominent UAE Human Rights Activists by Special Security Forces
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Ref: 06080400
A wave of condemnation has spread throughout the Human Rights community following the continuous harassment of Dr. Mohammed Al-Rokan, a prominent Human Rights Activist , Law Professor at the UAE University and member of BCHR board of advisors. Dr. Al-Rokan has been arrested twice in the past three months due to Vocalizing his opinion on certain Human Rights issue in the region and in the UAE. The State Security forces have been accused of harassing Mr. Al-Rokan in an attempt to intimidate him and prevent him from continuing in his activities.
According to a recent Frontline report, the UAE authorities have confiscated the passports of Mr. Al-Rokan and he is not allowed to participate in media interviews or allowed to write articles in the press. The Report states that the two arrests occurred first in July, after an interview by the former to an Arab Television Channel on the Lebanon War, and the second arrest occurred on August 23rd where state security forces arrested him from his office. He was later released without facing any charges.
The BCHR is greatly concerned upon hearing allegations, that the State Security forces attempted to blackmail Mr. Al-Rokan, by threatening to smear his reputation with charges of indecent conduct, an approach that is becoming common with Special Security Forces. Bahrain has witnessed similar cases, the most recent being the case of Mr. Abdel-Raouf Al-Shayeb, president of the Victims of Torture Committee who was sentenced to 1 year in jail after he was tried with charges related to alleged aid of prostitution. He later received political asylum in Britain where he currently resides.
Moreover, the BCHR has learnt that another UAE Human Rights activist, Mr. Mohamed al-Mansoori, a human rights lawyer and President of the Independent Jurists association, has also suffered continuous harassments due to his line of work. A warrant of arrest has been issued in the UAE on Mr. Al-Mansoori, who is currently in London.
The BCHR condemns the harassment of Human Rights Activists in general, and Mr. Al-Rokan and Al-Mansoori in particular, and calls for an intervention of Human Rights Organizations around the world in order to secure their safety and freedom.