Prime Minister commends treason accusations against BCHR president. BCHR demands investigation of Al-Bandar Scandal, securing of freedom of expression, and an end to harassment and prosecution of activists
Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)
25th February 2007
Ref: 07022501
Prime Minister commends treason accusations against BCHR president. BCHR demands investigation of Al-Bandar Scandal, securing of freedom of expression, and an end to harassment and prosecution of activists
Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR)
25th February 2007
Ref: 07022501
As a part of a campaign against a one week visit by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) to the United States, Anwar Abdulrahman, the editor-in-chief of “Akhbar Al-Khaleej” and “Gulf Daily News, wrote an editorial on the 18th of February titled: “Globalization conspiracy” which criticized a meeting organized by the ‘American Enterprise Institute’ (AEI) in Washington. The article, which was commended on the following day by the Bahraini Prime Minster, included the following:
… on Wednesday morning in Washington, this same group [AEI] staged an extraordinary meeting with Bahraini citizen Abdul Hadi Khowhaja and British passport holder of Sudanese origin Dr Salah Al Bander, of ‘Bandergate’ fame. Its declared aim – to discuss Bahrain’s future structure.
[…]In opening remarks Bletka described Bahrain as a dictatorial regime whose reforms are purely cosmetic. Dr Al Bander then pronounced that although Bahrain has achieved much, it has failed to establish an impartial judicial system, the Press is stifled..
[…]Toby Jones’ paper in the ‘conference’ alleged that our election was unfair, branding MPs non-democratically chosen and therefore not truly representative of Bahrain’s people. Finally, Abdul Hadi Khowhaja’s address referred to all political reforms as a sham… Abdul Hadi Khowhaja’s address referred to all political reforms as a sham.
[…]Is this not an act of conspiracy? Is this not a betrayal of trust? Is this not an act of treason by any country’s standards?
[…]It seems clear that America’s legal framework is seriously flawed and compromised if it can judge a country merely by listening to two known agitators. It makes us wonder. Is America run by sane or insane people, allowing their country to drift into serious moral decadence? American officials visiting Bahrain or living here are only too happy to praise excellent relations between the two countries. As a result trade has passed the $1 billion mark for the first time. Yet they allow such a shameful gathering to take place in their land.
[…]I can find no better expression than that used by 16th Century English writer Sir John Harrington, who said: “Treason doth never prosper, and if it prospers, none dare call it treason”.
Prime Minister Hails Accusations:
On 19th February, Akhbar Al-Khaleej published as a headline a statement by the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, commending the aforementioned Editorial. The Prime Minister also said: “Forums, TV Satellites and external activities should be used to exhibit the achievements that have been acquired in the Kingdom of Bahrain.. not for undermining it.” The Prime Minister stressed on: “exploiting openness to serve the country and its stability, and discouraging those who attempt to abuse this openness and use the mosques and religious places to achieve their objectives”. This statement is understood to be pointing to Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, the President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Hassan Mushaima, the general secretary of HAQ Movement, who were arrested on the 2nd of February, 2007 for delivering speeches criticizing government violations including the scandal which was revealed in the Al-Bandar Report (see Ref:07020201).
It is worth noting that the release of Mr. Al-Khawaja, Mr. Mushaima and Shaker Mohamed took place on the same date of their arrest. The release was on bail, based on their current residential address. The release took place after the spread of protests in different places in the country. Following which the two semi-governmental newspapers (Akhbar Al-Khaleej and Al-Watan) started a campaign to defame the charged activists, demanding that the government punish them. The two newspapers did not publish the speeches based on which they were accused or the press conference that was organized by both Mr. Al-Khawaja and Mr. Mushaima following their release.
Reasons Behind Defamation and Prosecution:
Mr. Al-Khawaja revealed in that press conference that the true reason behind the arrests, defamation and prosecution is because both the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the HAQ Movement had been actively engaged in revealing the Government human rights violations, sectarian discrimination, political naturalization and the ransacking of public wealth and lands; as well as for the active role of the two organizations in publicizing the Al-Bandar Report, the scandal that reveals the involvement of high givernment authorities in a secret web and plan to monopolize the election, implement sectarian exclusion and penetrate civil society.
Charges and punishment:
The Public Prosecution announced that it will bring Mr. Al-Khawaja, Mr. Hassan Mushaima and Mr. Shaker Mohamed to court based on four charges: Promotion to change the political system of the state, public incitement of hatred against the regime, announcement of false news and captious rumors, propagation of excitatory propagandas that could damage the order and devastate public interest and public incitement to disobey the law and praising issues that are considered crimes. These charges could lead to imprisonment of more than 15 years based on articles no. 160, 165, 168, 173 under “crimes related to States Internal Security” of the Penal Code that was issued by decree no. 15 of 1976 after dissolving the National Assembly, and amended to be more stringent by decree law no. 9 for the year 1982 (See attachment for translation of the articles). International human rights bodies and organizations have repeatedly denounced the security measures in the Bahraini Penal Code. Recent international reports revealed that Bahraini judicial laws lack impartiality and integrity, which will reduce the opportunity for the accused to receive a fair trial.
Based on the above, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights urges the following actions:
- To maintain freedom of expression and to halt harassing and prosecuting human rights defenders and political activists for expressing their views and opinions.
- To amend the Penal Codes in conformity with the international standards of Human Rights and to stop using restrictive laws that strangles freedoms.
- To drop false charges against Mr. Al-Khawaja, Mr. Mushaima and Mr. Shaker and to stop the media campaign against them.
- To remove the ban on publicizing and using information related to the Al-Bandar Scandal and to urgently and impartially investigate and reveal the truth about it.
For further information:
Nabeel Rajab: Mobile: +397 39633399, Email: nabeel.rajab@bahrainrights.org
Website: www.bahrainrights.org
Attachments
Articles of the Penal Code no. 15 of 1976 amended by decree law no. (9) 1982 based on which the president of the BCHR and others were charged
- Article 160: Should be punished by imprisonment for no more than ten years any person who promotes or favors in any manner the overthrow or change of the political, social or economic system of the State with the use of power or threat or any other illegal method.
- Article 165: Should be punished by imprisonment or a fine anyone who incites with the use of one of the publicity methods hatred of the ruling regime or contempt towards it.
- Article 168: Should be punished by imprisonment for no more than two years and/or a fine not acceding BD200 any person who willfully broadcasts any false or malicious news, statements or rumors or spreads adverse publicity, if such conduct results in disturbing public security, terrorizing people or causing damage to the public interest
- Article 173: Should be punished by imprisonment for no more than two years and/or a fine for no more than BD200 anyone who incites others with the use of one of the publicity methods to non-compliance with the laws or praises something that is deemed a crime.