serious concern for the health and safety of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja
13 May 2011
An independent international trial observer was yesterday refused entry into the courtroom by the Bahraini authorities. The observer, a barrister from Tooks Legal Chambers in London, was mandated by Front Line to observe the trial of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former Front Line Protection Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa. She travelled to Bahrain to observe the hearing of 12 May. The trial started at the Lower National Safety Court on 8 May 2011.
serious concern for the health and safety of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja
13 May 2011
An independent international trial observer was yesterday refused entry into the courtroom by the Bahraini authorities. The observer, a barrister from Tooks Legal Chambers in London, was mandated by Front Line to observe the trial of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former Front Line Protection Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa. She travelled to Bahrain to observe the hearing of 12 May. The trial started at the Lower National Safety Court on 8 May 2011.
Further Information
The Bahraini authorities’ decision to refuse entry to international trial observers is in open contradiction to the statement issued by the Bahraini Lower National Safety Court on 8 May 2011 and widely publicised on Bahraini printed and broadcast media. According to the statement “attending trials is permitted for all civil society institutions, human rights organizations and media representatives to reflect the Kingdom’s keenness to respect its international commitments in the field of human rights.”
Security officials refused to allow the observer in the courtroom on the basis that her ordre de mission had not been faxed one week in advance of the hearing. However, the hearing of 12 May had only been scheduled at the end of the opening hearing, on 8 May, thus making it impossible for the relevant correspondence to be faxed seven days ahead. Moreover, the authorities were informed of Front Line’s intention to send a trial observer on 6 May, and were duly notified of the observer’s credentials in advance of yesterday’s hearing.
A security official explained to the observer that the trial was open to the public but that international observers, in addition to sending their ordre de mission a week in advance, must receive a written permission to attend. The official also added that this was a “military situation” and a “military institution” and that is why there were rules that needed to be followed. This appears to be in contradiction to public statements released by the Government of Bahrain declaring that the National Safety Court is not a military court.
The observer was repeatedly asked to leave the court premises, which she initially resisted. However, while in a waiting room together with family members who awaited to see the defendants, security officials repeatedly intimated to the families not to speak to the international observer. Furthermore, family member of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja were told that they would not be allowed to see him unless the international observer left the court premises. The wife and daughters of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja were not allowed to meet him despite the fact that observer immediately left once this threat was issued.
According to witnesses to the court hearing, Albdulhadi Al-Khawaja made several attempts to make a statement but was repeatedly silenced. However, he eventually said loudly that he had been threatened that very morning (12 May) and was fearful for his life.
As earlier reported, at the 8 May hearing Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja presented evident signs of ill-treatment and possibly torture. He reportedly suffered four fractures to the side of his face and continues to have problems eating. During his incommunicado detention he was reportedly admitted to the military hospital of al-Riffa to undergo a 4-hour operation.
Front Line deeply regrets the decision of the Government of Bahrain to hide itself from international scrutiny, despite earlier public declarations stating otherwise. Front Line reiterates its shock at the violent treatment Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has received and remains seriously concerned about his health and safety in detention.
Front Line urges the Government of Bahrain to uphold “the Kingdom’s keenness to respect its international commitments”, allow international trial observers, and effectively investigate the serious allegation of torture and ill-treatment in detention.