As the trial of 11 human rights defenders and other political activists gets underway in Bahrain today (Thursday 28 October) Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, based in Dublin, reiterates its doubt whether the trial will meet international fair trial standards.
Front Line feels that the right of Ali Abdulemam and the 10 other human rights defenders named below may be prejudiced by:
– the fact that all the detainees were subjected to incommunicado detention
As the trial of 11 human rights defenders and other political activists gets underway in Bahrain today (Thursday 28 October) Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, based in Dublin, reiterates its doubt whether the trial will meet international fair trial standards.
Front Line feels that the right of Ali Abdulemam and the 10 other human rights defenders named below may be prejudiced by:
– the fact that all the detainees were subjected to incommunicado detention for significant periods of time – lack of access to their lawyers , including denial of the right to private visits – unsubstantiated claims in the Bahrain media that they had confessed to participating in a terrorist plot – the failure, to date, by the Bahraini authorities to fully investigate allegations of torture of the detainees
On 4 September 2010, human rights defender and blogger Ali Abdulemam received a phone call summoning him to appear at the office of the NSA. He was later arrested at approximately 9 pm and was in incommunicado detention until 23 September since when he has had limited access to his family and lawyers. Some of the detainees were eventually allowed access to their lawyers but were not allowed to have private meetings.
“Front Line is concerned that this denial of full access to their lawyers may prejudice their right to a fair trial”, said Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line in Dublin today.
Front Line is also concerned at allegations of torture during pre-trial detention and is calling for the full investigation of these charges.
Ali Abdulemam is one of 11 human rights defenders detained during the recent clampdown on human rights and political activity. “The recent clampdown takes place in a climate of increasing repression in which the authorities systematically seek to to limit the legitimate activities of human rights defenders”, said Ms Lawlor.
Human Rights defenders have been subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, threats and harassment. Despite provisions for basic rights in Bahraini law and the fact that it has ratified a number of international human rights treaties, the enjoyment of civil and political rights is,in practice, limited.
Front Line is calling on the Bahraini authorities to grant the accused full access to their lawyers, legal representatives and families and to allow the accused the right to a fair trial as guaranteed under international law.
Front Line also urges the Bahraini authorities to carry out a full and independent inquiry into allegations of torture against the human rights defenders while in prison.
Front Line requests international observers to attend the trial of the accused human rights defenders.
Front Line also appeals to international organisations and governments to call upon Bahrain to ensure that the accused receive a fair trial.
The human rights defenders currently awaiting trial are:
1. Ali Abdulemam, arrested on the 4th of September 2010, owner of bahrainonline.org 2.Dr. Abduljalil Al-Sengais: arrested on 13 August 2010, spokesman and Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy: 3.Abdul-Ghani Khanjar: arrested on 15 August 2010 is spokesperson for the Bahraini National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture: 4.Suhail Al-Shehabi: arrested on 19 August 2010 is active in a number of associations including the Committee of the Relatives of Detainees and the Committee of the Unemployed; 5.Ahmed Jawad Al-Fardan: arrested on 19 August 2010 is a member of the Committee of the Relatives of Detainees in Karzakan; 6.Ali Jawad Al-Fardan: arrested on 20 August 2010 is a member of the Committee of the relatives of Detainees in Karzakan; 7.Salman Naji: arrested on 21 August 2010 is a member of the Committee of the Unemployed; 8.AbdulHadi Al-Saffar: arrested on 22 August 2010 is chairman of the Committee Against High Prices and actively involved in other associations including the Committee of the Relatives of Detainees; 9.Hassan Al-Haddad: arrested on 23 August 2010. He is member of the Committee of the Unemployed. 10.Mr Jaffar Al-Hessabi, independent human rights defender supporting the rights of detainees in Bahrain, arrested on 16 August 2010. 11.Dr Mohammed Saeed arrested on 17 August is a board member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. ENDS
For Further Information please contact:
Jim Loughran Head of Media and Communications- Front Line. Tel+353 1 212 37 50 Mob+353 1 (0)87 9377586 Email jimloughran@frontlinedefenders.org
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/13656