The Arabic Network Denounces Detaining The Blogger Ali Abdelemam. Security Crackdown on Bahraini Activists Steps Up
Cairo , September 6th , 2010
The Arabic Network for Human rights Information strongly denounced the escalated crackdown on political activists and human rights defenders in Bahrain in the past few days. Bahrain witnessed detentions ,torturing activists and blocking tens of websites reporting on these assaults , last of which was detaining the blogger and internet activist Ali Abdelemam and the prosecution decision to prohibit publishing on activists’ case.
The Arabic Network Denounces Detaining The Blogger Ali Abdelemam. Security Crackdown on Bahraini Activists Steps Up
Cairo , September 6th , 2010
The Arabic Network for Human rights Information strongly denounced the escalated crackdown on political activists and human rights defenders in Bahrain in the past few days. Bahrain witnessed detentions ,torturing activists and blocking tens of websites reporting on these assaults , last of which was detaining the blogger and internet activist Ali Abdelemam and the prosecution decision to prohibit publishing on activists’ case.
The blogger Ali Abdelemam received a phone call on 4/9/2010 at Iftar time from Bahraini security to inform him to be present at their office on 5/9/2010 morning at 9:00 am. Ali did not go because there was no official summoning order from an investigation authority. However, he was arrested at noon on charges of disseminating false news on Bahrain affairs on the web site , http://bahrainonline.org , managed by Ali . Lately , Ali has been reporting on retreat of freedoms in Bahrain and on security torturing activists and politicians.
Ali was detained before in 2005 because of content on his website ” National Bahraini Forum” in a similar crackdown . As well, the website was blocked many times because of its critic nature.
This detention comes in a horrifying crackdown on Bahraini activists reminiscent of the gloomy era of the British Head of Security , Henderson , the criminal.
Bahraini security arrested a group of political activists, human rights defenders and religious figures in the kingdom such as Abd El Galil Al Singace , owner of the blog , http://alsingace.katib.org , Salman Naji , Sheikh Abdallah AlMahrous , Mohamed Said BCHR member and many others.
Detainees were physically and psychologically tortured by security in the presence of the prosecution that justified torture instead of deterring perpetuators . This hostile attack also reached to websites and blocked tens of them because they reported torture incidents of which was the site of the biggest political group in Bahrain , http://www.alwefaq.org , and many other sites and blogs. Bahraini authorities also blocked all hidden copies of the blocked sites on Google. The crackdown took restrictive measures on all media in the kingdom in order to act freely against activist in utmost blackout.
ANHRI said , ” This is the fiercest war waged on freedom of expression since the king has assumed power. The prosecution , instead of raising to its duties and opening impartial inquiries into the torture incidents , misinformation , media manipulations and blackout , decided to prohibit publishing any news on investigations with activists. This casts unpleasant shadows on the role of prosecution regarding these assaults and is a serious indication of colluding with security in their ruthless offense on activists”.
The Arabic Network as it expressed deepest dismay at these unprecedented offenses committed by security against freedom of expression in Bahrain , requests the prosecution to act impartially and fairly and start inquiries in transparency instead of prohibiting publishing. ANHRI asks of prosecution to assume its responsibility in serving justice. ANHRI also asks all activists and media personnel worldwide to expose these practices and become substitutes for Bahraini activists of the websites that Bahraini Telecommunications Authority has blocked.
http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=1177