Committee of Solidarity with Activists and Detainees of Conscience in Bahrain
April 7th , 2007.
During yesterday evening (Friday), the Bahraini Special Forces showered Sanabis village with extensive abundance of tear gas and rubber bullets after besieging its main entrances in large numbers. Dozens of citizens had gathered in a peaceful sit-in, raising slogans demanding basic rights and release of detainees of conscience in Bahraini prisons since last February. The Special Forces fiercely attacked the men and women demonstrators using rubber bullets, and dispersed them with heavy amounts of of tear gas.
Committee of Solidarity with Activists and Detainees of Conscience in Bahrain
April 7th , 2007.
During yesterday evening (Friday), the Bahraini Special Forces showered Sanabis village with extensive abundance of tear gas and rubber bullets after besieging its main entrances in large numbers. Dozens of citizens had gathered in a peaceful sit-in, raising slogans demanding basic rights and release of detainees of conscience in Bahraini prisons since last February. The Special Forces fiercely attacked the men and women demonstrators using rubber bullets, and dispersed them with heavy amounts of of tear gas.
This resulted in a ferocious clashes between special forces and protesters in the alleys and roads of the village, lasted for more than four hours continuously from seven thirty in the evening. The S pecial Forces retreated to the vicinity of the village and threw tear gas canisters over houses, and were seen collecting fired rubber bullets, on their way back. All shopping stores closed their doors early on, and village roads were junked with blazed tires and garbage containers, which were distributed in different locations to impede the progress of the security forces.
Eyewitnesses reported casualties among the protesters – mostly because of suffocation caused by dense gas fill the sky of the village. Other witnesses also reported that Special Forces raided one of the houses on the western side of Sanabis (Marwazan area) and arrested two youths. Women in the house quarreled with the security forces for their release. The response of Forces was further tear gas. The youths were later released after brutally beaten.
Early yesterday afternoon (Friday), the security forces had been previously mobilized, in great numbers (about 20 jeeps, two trucks and a bus), in the open yard in front of “Jawad” petrol station in “Hilla” village, to prevent launching of “Economic Rights” Marathon, called upon by five human rights and public affairs organizations. Upon refusal and obstruction of the security authorities to the take off of the Marathon, organizers quickly changed the starting point of to another place on the its route “Barbar village” and succeed in launching it with participation of dozens of citizens who marched on foot until they reached the final destination, “Abu Subh” coast in Duraz village, where they assembled there. However, the security forces reached, at a later time, and landed in large numbers in a show of force parade, which caused fears to the visitors and sea-sighters. This has lead the organizers to finish quickly and willingly dispersed before any ill-consequences. It should be noted that the organizers of the Marathon (the Unemployed Committee, the Commission of Adequate Housing, the Committee for Improved Living, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights) has announced a program of sports-media “Marathon” in different areas in Bahrain, to raise public and community awareness of the importance of their economic rights.
On the other hand, series of arrests are still persisting, as a young man, Mahmood Hassan Saleh- from Daih village, was arrested on last March 29th after being brutally beaten until shedding blood in different part of his body. Two days after his arrest, Mahmood was brought eye-masked together with members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and closely guarded by the security forces, which surrounded the small orchard in the region between Sanabis and Daih. Mahmoud was introduced to the grove with photographers of the Ministry of the Interior, who was filming with video camera all the happening events. On morning Monday, April 2, Ali Ahmed Saleem (19 years) – “Hellat Abdelsaleh”, was arrested from the place of work which was besieged by the special forces.
As for the detainees facing prosecution on charges of “crowd and riot”, according to articles 178 and 179 of the Penal Code, the trial of those arrested in the village of Karbabad -Sayed Ali Sayed Akbar (20 yrs), Jaafar Sadiq Kadhem (21 yrs), Mahmood Ali Mahdi (22yrs) – to next Monday, April 9, 2007, to hear witnesses of the defense. However, the trial of youths, Jaafar Salman Yousif (23 yrs) from Karranh, Rahdi Ali Radhi (22 yrs) from Abu Saiba and Jassem Jaafar Madan (25 yrs) from Hamad Town, has been postponed earlier to April 15th. Their lawyers explained to the court the suffering and torture the youth exposed to while in custody, which was evident on their body. The Court decided to have them presented to the coroner. It should be noted that all those young men have been in custody since the beginning of the fourth week of last February, following protests in the region of Bani Jamrah, Karbabad and other areas in Bahrain.
In the same context, the Bahraini Security Authorities declared 18 th of April for the trial of events (mostly in full-study) – – not to exceed 17 years of age- who were released two weeks after their arrest because of their presence in the vicinity of protesting events, took place in the third week of last February.
The deterioration in the security situation is a result of the arrests during mass protests on the human rights demands and other protesting issues, as well as the use of collective punishment against villages in which these peaceful protests and sit-ins occur. This situation will not contribute to the overall stability, and will provide ground for security tension to a crescendo, which will reflect negatively on the situation of public security. This security repression of all means of popular expression will increase the tempo of violence and counter-violence. In return, this does not guarantee a good relationship and mutual trust between the people and the Authorities, a very serious issue in light of tension in the region.
The Bahraini Authorities are primarily responsible for the change in the method of dealing with the means of popular expressions, which must be considered carefully, and their demands are responded to, instead of the forceful and violent suppression. We-in the Committee of Activists and Detainees of Conscience- hold the Bahraini Authorities all the responsibility for the deterioration and degradation of the security situation. We have appealed to the Authorities, and all concerned, to demand the release of all detainees of conscience from prison, and the closure of the file through a positive response to popular demands associated with the rights of the people. Furthermore, we call for officials – responsible for the use of excessive force against protesters and residents, as well as those proven guilty in the torture and abuse of prisoners- to be brought before fair trial, in order to be an example to others, and to ensure respect and protection of human rights.
