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Articles - Bahrain

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Bahrain

Retrial announced for al-Khawaja and other activists

Bahrain has announced a retrial for hunger-striking political activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and 20 others accused of plotting against the state in the Arab Spring protests last year, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International and Human Rights Watch. The IFEX members are disappointed that the activists remain in custody pending the retrial, and are calling for their immediate release.

Bahrain

At least 31 extrajudicial killings since official commission of inquiry, says Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Since an official commission of inquiry reported last November, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has documented at least 31 "extrajudicial killings" in Bahrain. Most of the deaths were from teargas inhalation, including three in the past week alone, and three were as a result of torture in custody, says BCHR in a new report. Human Rights Watch also issued its own report following a national commission's assessment that lauded the government's progress.

Bahrain

Activists attacked, arrested on protest anniversary

On Tuesday's one-year anniversary of Bahrain's uprising, security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters trying to retake Pearl Square, the epicentre of last year's protests, and arrested dozens - including several international observers, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and news reports.

Bahrain

Protesters, IFEX members mark uprising anniversary

Bahrain spent the week preparing for Tuesday's one-year anniversary of its uprising by deploying thousands of security forces to confront anti-government protesters, rejecting journalists' applications for entry visas, and arresting and deporting two international observers from the U.S. IFEX and its members are calling for support on 14 February to help avoid further violence. Find out what is happening and what you can do here.

Bahrain

Government's promises of reform unfulfilled, mission announces at Arab Free Press Forum

Bahrain has failed to deliver on promises of reform despite a highly-touted commission of inquiry, says a report from an international mission to the country. "Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed" finds that rights violations continue daily, and individuals jailed during the government crackdown in February and March 2011 remain in prison.

Bahrain

Baby's death, arrest of al-Khawaja threaten government's commitment to reform

The arrest of international cause célèbre "Angry Arabiya" and the death of a five-day-old girl as a result of a tear gas attack have become the latest events threatening to overshadow Bahrain's promises of reform following a highly critical report into the pro-democracy protests earlier this year, say the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Index on Censorship and other IFEX members.

Bahrain

International mission calls for freedom of human rights defenders

All human rights defenders and activists should be freed in Bahrain, said an international mission supported by IFEX, which visited the country this past week to investigate the current state of freedom of expression. The call comes in the wake of a much-anticipated report from the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) presented on 23 November, as well as a human rights report issued by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and other local groups.

Bahrain

Teachers, doctors and rights activists sentenced, some to life in prison

Bahrain's widely boycotted by-elections on 24 September and 1 October were the background setting for multiple military court hearings that condemned dozens of journalists, activists, teachers and doctors to long prison terms. They were targeted for speaking out in favour of reforms during demonstrations in February or simply for doing their jobs, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and other IFEX members. Among those arrested during the elections were 45 female protesters, some of whom have been reportedly tortured.

Bahrain / Egypt / Kuwait

Governments attack Twitter activists

The governments of at least three Arab countries - Egypt, Bahrain and Kuwait - have launched investigations into or prosecuted Twitter activists, provoking other countries in the region to follow suit, reports the Arabic Network of Human Rights Information (ANHRI).

Bahrain / Awards

Bahraini rights activist Nabeel Rajab honoured with Ion Ratiu Democracy Award

As president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and one of the country's leading rights activists, Nabeel Rajab has been closely monitored by the government, barred from leaving the country, beaten and harassed. His family home has been attacked with tear gas and armed invasions. One night, while he slept, dozens of masked gunmen stormed his house and abducted him, then drove him around in a vehicle all night and assaulted him - before returning him home. The Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington is honouring Rajab with this year's Ion Ratiu Democracy Award (IRDA) to give international recognition to his courageous fight for democracy in Bahrain.

Bahrain

National dialogue doomed as Al-Wefaq pulls out and crackdown continues

The prospects for peace in Bahrain are not looking as bright now that the main opposition party, Al-Wefaq, has pulled out of the national dialogue, and the government continues to crack down on its critics, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and other IFEX members.

Bahrain

Military court sentences rights activists to life

Eight Bahraini human rights and political activists - including former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) Adbulhadi al-Khawaja and renowned blogger Abduljalil al-Singace - were given life sentences today by a military court, which found them guilty of plotting a coup against the government during two months of unrest earlier this year, report BCHR, Human Rights Watch, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and the "Guardian".

International / Bahrain

Bahrain testimony a highlight of "best ever" IFEX conference

Security forces prevented IFEX member Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), from attending the IFEX General Meeting and Strategy Conference in person in Beirut last week. But they couldn't prevent him from talking about recent human rights abuses in Bahrain via Skype, nor IFEX members and partners who were listening from initiating an international mission to Bahrain in the coming days. This was just one of the many highlights of the IFEX 2011 conference.

Bahrain

IFEX members appeal to world leaders to take action against rights abuses

Even as the King of Bahrain promises to end the state of emergency he imposed in mid-March to quell anti-government demonstrations, journalists, rights activists and opposition leaders continue to be arrested, with dozens of them hastily tried. Forty-two IFEX members and 15 partners are appealing to the international community to end their silence and demand that the Bahraini government take action against the rights abuses.

Bahrain

IFEX defends member BCHR in light of free expression abuses

Last week, the president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab, made history as the first person prosecuted in the Arab world for a tweet, reports the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). He was accused of alerting readers through Twitter to "fabricated" pictures of the tortured body of Ali Isa Saqer, who Rajab alleged died at the hands of security forces in a Bahraini prison. While Bahrain is quickly turning into a police state, IFEX has expressed concern for Rajab and the sudden escalation of arrests and threats against other free expression advocates in Bahrain.

Bahrain

Security forces resort to night-time raids of terror to quell dissent

Nabeel Rajab, the head of IFEX member Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), was briefly held and beaten by security forces on 20 March, days after Bahraini security forces killed at least four protesters and arrested opposition figures. The arrest appears part of a broader government offensive involving pre-dawn raids of terror on the homes of those viewed as supporting pro-democracy protesters, according to BCHR, Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members. Rajab says he is the only human rights defender in Bahrain currently not in hiding or detention.

Bahrain

Authorities free political prisoners in gesture to protesters

In a major concession to protesters, 23 high-profile activists and bloggers who had been accused of plotting to overthrow the government have been released, along with dozens of other political prisoners, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and news reports.

Bahrain / Algeria / Iran / Yemen

Journalists, peaceful protesters violently suppressed

The ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has reinvigorated protests across the Arab region, resulting in clashes between security forces and protesters in Algeria, Bahrain, Iran and Yemen, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch and IFEX members in the region.

Bahrain

Lawyers boycott trial, protesting torture of activists

While riot police surrounded a Bahraini court in the capital Manama, and helicopters flew overhead to derail demonstrations in support of 25 Bahraini human rights activists, bloggers and clerics on trial last week, furious defense lawyers walked out of the courtroom in protest over the torture of detainees, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Bahraini authorities continue to harass and arrest anyone expressing support for the detainees.

Bahrain

Elections go off amid unprecedented crackdown

Thousands of Bahraini voters went to the polls last weekend in parliamentary and municipal elections amid concerns about voting irregularities and an ongoing security crackdown on Shiite opposition figures and bloggers, report the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and Human Rights Watch. Trials for the detained activists are set to begin this week.

Bahrain

Brutal repression of human rights defenders in historic crackdown

Hundreds of Bahraini political activists, human rights defenders and Shiite religious figures have been arrested in recent months - many of them tortured in detention - in the worst crackdown on free expression the country has ever seen, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and Human Rights Watch. Authorities have blocked numerous websites, shut down independent rights groups and threatened rights defenders who have criticised the torture of prominent activists.

Bahrain

Crackdown on rights defenders speaking out about torture and discrimination

Four Bahraini human rights defenders are among those recently jailed incommunicado, charged with inciting violence and terrorism, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and other IFEX members. Twenty-six human rights groups, including the Cairo Institute for Human Rights (CIHRS), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and BCHR, say the counter-terrorism law is being deployed to criminalise free expression and to crush dissent in the lead up to elections on 23 October.

Bahrain

Human rights defenders and independent journalists harassed and threatened

Dozens of human rights groups, including 31 IFEX members, have written to the United Nations to put a spotlight on the Bahrain government's relentless attacks on human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers. Independent journalists have been taken to court for critical writings, rights defenders have been imprisoned, and websites censored. Those under threat include members of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain

Smear campaign against free expression

A large number of fake human rights and civil society organisations have sprung to life in Bahrain, when in reality they are fronts for greater government control, says a new report by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain

King pardons hundreds of activists following international outcry

Bahrain's king has pardoned 178 people charged with breaching state security, including 35 Shi'ite activists whose arrests sparked violent protests and whose case drew international scrutiny, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain

LES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE RISQUENT DE LOURDES PEINES DE PRISON EN PÉRIODE DE RÉPRESSION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Bahrain

ACTIVISTAS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS SE ENFRENTAN A PROLONGADAS PENAS DE CÁRCEL EN MEDIO DE OFENSIVA CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Bahrain

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS FACING LENGTHY JAIL TIME AMID CRACKDOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION

In the Bahraini government's ongoing crackdown on free expression, blogs and social networking websites have been censored, union leaders have been slapped with defamation suits and human rights activists are facing up to 10 years or even life in prison, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19.

Bahrain

20 MEMBRES DE L’IFEX DEMANDENT LA FIN DU HARCÈLEMENT DES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS

Bahrain

VEINTE MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN PONER FIN A ACOSO DE ACTIVISTAS DE DERECHOS

Bahrain

20 IFEX MEMBERS CALL FOR END TO HARASSMENT OF RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

The Bahraini authorities continue to silence human rights activists by using draconian articles in the country's penal code and anti-terrorism laws. Led by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), 20 IFEX members are calling for the activists' immediate release, and the amendment of Bahrain's laws so that they conform to international human rights conventions.

Bahrain

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX CONDAMNENT LE HARCÈLEMENT DES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Bahrain

MIEMBROS DE IFEX CONDENAN ACOSO A DEFENSORES DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS

Bahrain

IFEX MEMBERS CONDEMN HARASSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

At a human rights event in Washington, D.C. last month, the head of IFEX member Bahrain Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab and two other human rights defenders discussed how Shia citizens of Bahrain are continually shut out - of government jobs, the best education opportunities, the media, places to worship.

Bahrain

LES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE SE VOIENT INFLIGER DE LOURDES PEINES DE PRISON

Bahrain

IMPONEN SEVERAS SENTENCIAS DE CÁRCEL A DEFENSORES DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS

Bahrain

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS GIVEN HARSH JAIL SENTENCES

Eleven human rights activists and demonstrators who were "unjustly" detained following protests in December have been given jail sentences of one to seven years, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain

GOBIERNO ALIMENTA TENSIONES SECTARIAS PARA JUSTIFICAR OFENSIVA CONTRA PRENSA

Bahrain

LE GOUVERNEMENT RAVIVE LES TENSIONS SECTAIRES AFIN DE JUSTIFIER LA RÉPRESSION DE LA PRESSE

Bahrain

GOVERNMENT STOKES SECTARIAN TENSIONS TO JUSTIFY CRACKDOWN ON PRESS

Just over a month after the Bahrain government said it would eliminate prison sentences for journalists and lift some bans on censored publications, it has done a massive U-turn. Authorities in the country are cracking down on opposition journalists, websites and even mosque leaders for apparently stirring up sectarian tensions and threatening national security, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain

LIBEREN A DEFENSORES DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS, DICEN 55 GRUPOS DE DERECHOS

Bahrain

LIBÉREZ LES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE, DISENT 55 GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DES DROITS

Bahrain

RELEASE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, SAY 55 RIGHTS GROUPS

Twenty-one IFEX members are among 55 rights groups worldwide calling on the Bahraini authorities to immediately release the dozens of human rights activists and demonstrators who were "unjustly" detained following protests in December.

Bahrain

DEFENSORES DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS ATACADOS

Bahrain

LES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE ATTAQUÉS

Bahrain

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS UNDER ATTACK

Human rights defenders in Bahrain have been subject to a fresh wave of arrests, abuse and possibly torture following protests last month in which an activist was killed, report the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo) and other rights groups.

Bahrain

¡ACTÚE! ENVÍE UN MENSAJE A LÍDER DE JUVENTUD DE BAHREIN QUE SE ENFRENTA A DIFICULTADES LEGALES

Bahrain

AGISSEZ ! ENVOYEZ UN MESSAGE AU DIRIGEANT DE LA JEUNESSE DE BAHREÏN QUI ÉPROUVE DES DIFFICULTÉS JUDICIAIRES

Bahrain

TAKE ACTION! SEND A MESSAGE TO BAHRAINI YOUTH LEADER FACING LEGAL TROUBLE

Mohammed al-Maskati is a young activist from Bahrain who has fought for human rights across the Arab world, from rallying for jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer to making local media outlets aware of human trafficking activities. Now he is facing serious legal issues that could end his career. Show your support by signing a petition and expressing your outrage through your own organisations, media contacts or blogs.

Bahrain

VEINTISÉIS MIEMBROS DE IFEX CRITICAN ATAQUE MÁS RECIENTE DEL GOBIERNO CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Bahrain

26 GROUPES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DÉNONCENT LA DERNIÈRE ATTAQUE DU GOUVERNEMENT CONTRE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Bahrain

TWENTY-SIX IFEX MEMBERS SLAM GOVERNMENT'S LATEST ATTACK ON FREE EXPRESSION

Journalist and editor convicted of criminal defamation. Popular film banned. Women's rights defender forbidden from appearing in media. These were just some of the headlines last month in Bahrain, where the right to freedom of expression has been recently targeted and curtailed. Twenty-six IFEX members and 21 other organisations, led by Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), are demanding that the authorities stop their latest clampdown on free expression.

Bahrain

PROTÉGEONS NABEEL AHMED RAJAB, DÉFENSEUR DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Bahrain

PROTEJA A DEFENSOR DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS NABEEL AHMED RAJAB

Bahrain

TAKE ACTION! PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER NABEEL AHMED RAJAB

Since 1 July 2007, Nabeel Ahmed Rajab, vice-president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), has faced ongoing harassment, including being followed daily by civilian vehicles to and from his home. The BCHR is a non-governmental organisation that defends civil, political, economic and social rights in Bahrain, and an interim member of IFEX. Front Line has posted an appeal to help protect Rajab.

Bahrain

CÁMARA ALTA VOTA A FAVOR DE DESPENALIZAR LOS DELITOS DE PRENSA

Bahrain

LA CHAMBRE HAUTE VOTE LA DÉPÉNALISATION DES DÉLITS DE PRESSE

Bahrain

UPPER HOUSE VOTES TO DECRIMINALISE PRESS OFFENCES

Bahrain's upper house of parliament has approved amendments that would scrap prison sentences for press offences, reports Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Bahrain

GOBIERNO ACUSADO DE HACER CAMPAÑA PARA SUPRIMIR DISENSO

Bahrain

LE GOUVERNEMENT EST ACCUSÉ DE MENER UNE CAMPAGNE DE RÉPRESSION CONTRE LA DISSIDENCE

Bahrain

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF CAMPAIGN TO SUPPRESS DISSENT

The vice-president and president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), an interim IFEX member, have become the latest victims of a government campaign to suppress dissent.

Bahrain

AGISSEZ ! BAHREÏN : LES UTILISATEURS DE L'INTERNET RISQUENT SEPT ANS DE PRISON

Bahrain

¡ACTÚE! BAHREIN: USUARIOS DE INTERNET SE ENFRENTAN A SIETE AÑOS DE CÁRCEL

Bahrain

TAKE ACTION! BAHRAIN: INTERNET USERS FACE SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON

23 January 2007

Bahrain

GRUPOS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS CRITICAN LEY ANTITERRORISMO

Bahrain

DES GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DES DROITS CRITIQUENT LA LOI ANTITERRORISTE

Bahrain

RIGHTS GROUPS CRITICISE ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

As Bahrain prepares to hold parliamentary elections in October 2006, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) has expressed alarm that a new anti-terrorism law enacted in August could give authorities more grounds to crack down on opposition critics and civil society groups.

Bahrain

PROYECTO DE LEY AMENAZA DERECHOS DE ASAMBLEA PACÍFICA Y DE EXPRESIÓN

Bahrain

UN PROJET DE LOI MENACE LES DROITS D'ASSEMBLÉE PAISIBLE ET LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Bahrain

DRAFT LAW THREATENS RIGHTS TO PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY, EXPRESSION

The government of Bahrain has introduced draft legislation that could undermine the right of citizens to attend peaceful gatherings and voice their opinions, warn Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19.

Bahrain

REPRESIÓN EN AUMENTO EN MEDIO DE CRECIENTES DEMANDAS

Bahrain

LA RÉPRESSION PREND DE L'AMPLEUR TANDIS QUE SE MULTIPLIENT LES APPELS AUX RÉFORMES

Bahrain

REPRESSION ON THE RISE AMID GROWING DEMANDS FOR REFORM

In Bahrain, citizens are stepping up demands for political and social reform, using public protests, publications and online discussion forums to voice their opinions and concerns, reports the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR). In response, authorities are using increasingly aggressive and violent measures to quell public discontent, according to an EOHR report on free expression in the country.

Bahrain

LES AUTORITÉS ARRÊTENT UN COMMENTATEUR CRITIQUE ET INTERDISENT UN GROUPE DE DÉFENSE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Bahrain

AUTORIDADES ARRESTAN A CRÍTICO Y PROSCRIBEN GRUPO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Bahrain

AUTHORITIES ARREST CRITIC, BAN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP

In Bahrain, criticising political leaders comes with a high price. Just ask Abdul al-Hadi al-Khawaja, vice-president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR). On 25 September 2004, police arrested him a day after he criticised Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Al Khalifa for the country's economic problems and past human rights abuses. Authorities also ordered the BCHR closed and barred it from resuming its activities.