From left to right Activists: Jaffar Al-Hessabi, Mohammed Saeed, Abdulghani Al-Khanjar, Abduljalil Al-Sengais
Posted on 2010/08/18
Front Line is seriously concerned that human rights defenders arrested over the last days in Bahrain are being denied access to lawyers and to their families. The whereabouts of Dr. Abduljalil Al Singace and Abdul Ghani al-Kanjar remain unknown and they have reportedly been denied access to their families and to their lawyers since their arrest on 13 and 15 August 2010 respectively.
From left to right Activists: Jaffar Al-Hessabi, Mohammed Saeed, Abdulghani Al-Khanjar, Abduljalil Al-Sengais
Posted on 2010/08/18
Front Line is seriously concerned that human rights defenders arrested over the last days in Bahrain are being denied access to lawyers and to their families. The whereabouts of Dr. Abduljalil Al Singace and Abdul Ghani al-Kanjar remain unknown and they have reportedly been denied access to their families and to their lawyers since their arrest on 13 and 15 August 2010 respectively.
Mr Mohammad Al-Tajir, lawyer for Dr. Abduljalil Al Singace, has so far been unable to locate his client and has not been given any official reason for his arrest. Mohammad Al-Tajir believes that interrogation of Abduljalil Al Singace has been carried out without legal representation. By 16 August the authorities had not brought Abduljalil Al Singace before the public prosecutor or formally charged him with any offence, although they had been in custody for more than the 48-hour limit for filing charges specified under Bahraini law. The Public Prosecution Office reportedly told Mohammad Al-Tajir that his clients had not yet been give case numbers. However, it is reported that Abduljalil Al Singace will face charges of sedition and making unauthorised contacts with foreign bodies.
Front Line is concerned about Abduljalil Al Singace’s treatment whilst in detention; he is disabled and cannot walk unassisted, requiring the use of a wheelchair. It was reported that he was handled roughly by the authorities at the time of his arrest. Concern about ill-treatment or torture is particularly high when detainees are held incommunicado and without access to lawyers or family members.
Two further human rights defenders have reportedly been arrested: Mr Jaffar Al-Hessabi and Dr Mohammed Saeed. On Monday 16 August, Mr Jaffar Al-Hessabi was arrested at Bahrain International Airport while returning from a trip to Iran. Jaffar Al-Hessabi previously lived in London for 15 years, where he has been an advocate for the release of political prisoners and for the promotion of democracy and freedoms in Bahrain. It is believed that his arrest is linked to his participation in peaceful protests and other events in London which were recorded. At approximately 3.00am on Tuesday 17 August, Dr Mohammed Saeed was arrested at his home. He is a board member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, an independent human rights organization that has been denied legal registration buy the Bahraini Government..
See the original Front Line Appeal on 15 August 2010