(WAN/IFEX) – In a 14 November 2000 letter to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the imprisonment of journalist Jassem Hussein Ali. According to reports, Ali, who works for the British publication “The Economist”, was arrested on 1 November at his home near […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 14 November 2000 letter to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, WAN and the World Editors Forum expressed their serious concern at the imprisonment of journalist Jassem Hussein Ali.
According to reports, Ali, who works for the British publication “The Economist”, was arrested on 1 November at his home near Manama and is being held by the security services in al-Qalaa. Police searched his home and removed documents and computer disks. Although no reason has been given for Ali’s arrest, WAN and the World Editors Forum are concerned at reports that he has been questioned over his work for The Economist Intelligence Unit, a business information provider that is part of The Economist Group.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– reminding him that if the arrest of Ali is indeed related to his journalistic activities, it is a clear breach of his right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions
– further noting that the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considers that
“detention, as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of human rights”
– calling on him to ensure that if Ali is being detained for reasons relating to his profession as a journalist he is immediately released from jail
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:The Right Honourable Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa
Prime Minister
Bahrain
C/o H.E. Ambassador to United Kingdom
Fax: +44 207 370 7773Please copy appeals to WAN.
