9 May 2011
Front Line expressed its shock and horror at the physical condition of its former Protection Coordinator Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja when he was presented for trial in Manama on Sunday 8 May 2011. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja had visibly been brutally beaten and had reportedly been taken to the military hospital to undergo a 4-hour operation during his period in incommunicado detention. Witnesses to the opening of the trial process reported he bore the evidence of having endured severe torture. He was reportedly the victim of 4 fractures to the side of his face and continues to have problems eating.
9 May 2011
Front Line expressed its shock and horror at the physical condition of its former Protection Coordinator Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja when he was presented for trial in Manama on Sunday 8 May 2011. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja had visibly been brutally beaten and had reportedly been taken to the military hospital to undergo a 4-hour operation during his period in incommunicado detention. Witnesses to the opening of the trial process reported he bore the evidence of having endured severe torture. He was reportedly the victim of 4 fractures to the side of his face and continues to have problems eating.
Further Information
Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was one of 21 individuals presented for trial charged with a variety of charges including ”organising and managing a terrorist organisation” and “attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country.”
Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and was until February 2011 employed by Front Line as its Middle East and North Africa Protection Coordinator. He stepped down from this international role with Front Line to engage with the peaceful protests in Bahrain. Front Line is profoundly shocked by the violent treatment Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has received, and calls for an urgent independent inquiry into his treatment and for those responsible to be brought to justice. More than 120 human rights defenders across the Middle East and North Africa have called for Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s release.
Front Line also expresses serious reservations about the possibility that those who have been charged will receive a fair trial given the reports of torture in detention, the extensive incommunicado detention of those charged and the denial of proper access to lawyers of their choice in advance of the initial session of the trial on Sunday 8 May. There are also serious concerns about the rules and procedures of the ”National Safety Court” and whether these comply with international standards for fair trials. Front Line intends to send human rights monitors to the trial hearings.
Front Line also expresses concern that human rights defender Mr Ali Abdulemam was one of those listed for trial in absentia as part of the same trial. Ali Abdulemam is an internationally renowned blogger and advocate for freedom of expression. He was previously detained between September 2010 and February 2011 on similar charges. These charges against Ali Abdulemam have no credibility, and as no credible evidence was presented against Ali Abdulemam in the previous legal process, Front Line concludes that these charges are politically motivated.
Front Line urges the authorities in Bahrain to:
1.Immediately and unconditionally release Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja;
2.Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the acts of torture sustained by Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja while in incommunicado detention, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
3.Immediately drop all charges against all human rights defenders, including Mr Ali Abdulemam, as it is believed that they are solely motivated by their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
4.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Bahrain are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.
