Posted on 2010/09/23
Front Line is gravely concerned that the Prosecutor General of Bahrain has denied that a file has been opened regarding human rights defender Mr Ali Abdulemam, who has not been seen since his arrest on 4 September 2010.
alleged torture when they appeared separately and individually befThe denial follows an announcement by the Bahraini authorities on 22 September that detained human rights activists will for the first time be allowed to receive visits from their lawyers and families, who will also be informed of the detainees’ whereabouts for the first time.
Posted on 2010/09/23
Front Line is gravely concerned that the Prosecutor General of Bahrain has denied that a file has been opened regarding human rights defender Mr Ali Abdulemam, who has not been seen since his arrest on 4 September 2010.
alleged torture when they appeared separately and individually befThe denial follows an announcement by the Bahraini authorities on 22 September that detained human rights activists will for the first time be allowed to receive visits from their lawyers and families, who will also be informed of the detainees’ whereabouts for the first time.
Following this announcement, on 23 September 2010, Ali Abdulemam’s brother, Mr Hossain Abdulemam, went to the Office of the Public Prosecutor to apply for permission to visit Ali Abdulemam in prison. However, an employee at the office told Hossain Abdulemma that Ali has not appeared before the Public Prosecutor and that there is no record of him or personal number for him in the office.
Under the 2006 “Law to Protect Society from Acts of Terrorism” – the legislation cited with regard to the recent arrests of Ali Abdulemam and at least 23 other Bahraini activists and opposition leaders for an alleged “terrorist plot” – the security forces have the right to detain individuals for a maximum period of 15 days before either bringing them before the Public Prosecutor, or releasing them. Ali Abdulemam’s initial 15-day period of detention expired on Sunday, 19 September. His detention now appears to continue in contravention of the applicable Bahraini legislation.
Ali Abdulemam, a leading human rights defender and blogger who runs an independent online news forum, was arrested on 4 September after receiving a phone call from the National Security Apparatus of Bahrain summoning him for questioning. He has not been seen since. In a public statement reported shortly after Ali Abdulemam’s disappearance, the Interior Ministry of Bahrain acknowledged his arrest, denying that he and other detainees had been detained because of their political views.
“Any assumption that Mr. Abdulemam has been arrested purely on the basis of any political views he may hold is entirely inaccurate,” the ministry reportedly said. “[It] is connected solely to evidence of his involvement with senior members of the terrorist network… authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of Mr. Abdulemam’s involvement in the terrorist plot.”
Furthermore, the Public Prosecutor’s denial follows reports in Bahrain’s state-run media that Ali Abdulemam had already appeared before the prosecutor some days after his arrest. Unconfirmed reports alleged that he had confessed to his part in the alleged terrorist plot.
Front Line is gravely concerned regarding the Public Prosecutor’s denial of having processed Ali Abdulemam’s case, as it reinforces fears that he may have been tortured or ill-treated whilst in detention. Front Line and other international human rights organisations have documented numerous cases of torture and ill-treatment in Bahrain’s detention centres. In addition, other recently arrested human rights activists, including Abduljalil Al Singace, Abdul Ghani al-Khanjar, Mohammad Habib al-Miqdad, and Abdulhadi al-Mokhaider, are reported to have ore the Public Prosecutor.
Front Line demands the initiation of a fair, transparent and legitimate legal process in relation to Ali Abdulemam’s case, failing his immediate and unconditional release from detention. It is believed that his arrest is directly linked to his human rights activities, particularly his work in support of freedom of expression in Bahrain. Front Line reminds the Bahraini authorities of their obligations in this regard under both international standards and national legislation.
