14 October 2010
A professor and blogger has been subjected to violence since his arrest on 4 September, Scholars at Risk reported on 14 October (scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu).
Dr Abduljalil al-Singace, mechanical engineer at the University of Bahrain and Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, was arrested by the authorities on 13 August at Bahrain International Airport as he returned from London with his family. Whilst in the UK, al-Singace attended a seminar on Bahrain at the House of Lords, where he criticised Bahrain’s human rights practices. He was accused of “inciting violence and terrorist acts” yet Bahrain officials are yet to issue a formal charge that would justify his arrest.
14 October 2010
A professor and blogger has been subjected to violence since his arrest on 4 September, Scholars at Risk reported on 14 October (scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu).
Dr Abduljalil al-Singace, mechanical engineer at the University of Bahrain and Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, was arrested by the authorities on 13 August at Bahrain International Airport as he returned from London with his family. Whilst in the UK, al-Singace attended a seminar on Bahrain at the House of Lords, where he criticised Bahrain’s human rights practices. He was accused of “inciting violence and terrorist acts” yet Bahrain officials are yet to issue a formal charge that would justify his arrest.
International reports indicate that after several weeks in detention, Professor al-Singace has been permitted a meeting with legal counsel. His lawyer has reported that during detention, al-Singace has been subjected to severe mistreatment, including sleep deprivation and physical violence, resulting in the partial loss of hearing. In addition, he has been deprived of the crutches and wheelchair he relies upon and is being denied medical treatment. He has been held in solitary confinement since he was placed in a National Security detention centre.
Professor al-Singace was previously arrested in 2009, whilst using his blog (http://alsingace.katib.org) to report on violations of civil liberties and cases of discrimination against Shiite citizens. Twenty three people are currently being held under anti-terrorism legislation introduced in 2006, which is considered to be used as a tool by the Bahrain authorities to arrest human rights activists.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Scholars at Risk recommend that letters, emails and faxes be sent:
1. Respectfully calling on authorities to ensure that Bahrain’s obligations under international law are upheld with regard to Professor Al-Singace
2. Respectfully calling on the authorities to examine the circumstance of Professor Al-Singace’s treatment and detention; and
3. Respectfully calling on authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being, including ensuring immediate and regular access to legal counsel of his choosing, to family and to medical treatment.
APPEALS TO:
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 547
Government Road
Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
Fax: +973 1-753-6343
Email: info@mofa.gov.bh
COPIES TO:
His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Office of His Majesty the King
P. O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, Kingdom of Bahrain
Fax: + 973 1-766-8884
His Excellency Dr. Majid Bin Ali Al Nuaimi
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education Building
Al Istiklal Street
P.O. Box 43
Isa City
Bahrain
Fax: +973 1-768-7866
Email: moe.relations@bahrain.gov.bh
The Honorable _________
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to [YOUR COUNTRY]
[POSTAL ADDRESS]
[FAX]
[EMAIL]
(See http://www.mofa.gov.bh/ for a list of Bahraini embassies worldwide.)
The Honorable _________
Ambassador of [YOUR COUNTRY] to the Kingdom of Bahrain
[POSTAL ADDRESS]
[FAX]
[EMAIL]
Scholars at Risk
c/o New York University
194 Mercer St., 4th floor
New York, NY 10012 USA
Fax: +1 212-995-4402
Email: scholarsatrisk@nyu.edu
Deputy Director
Network for Education and Academic Rights
London South Bank University Technopark
90 London Rd, London, SE1 6LN
Fax: +44 207 021 0880
Email: joyce.near@lsbu.ac.uk