(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN is concerned that the writer and scholar, Shaikh Al-Jamri, who has now been in prison without trial for more than three years, might soon be sentenced to a long prison-term for his opposition activities and calls for Bahrain’s National Assembly to be restored. It calls on the new Amir of Bahrain, […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN is concerned that the writer and scholar,
Shaikh
Al-Jamri, who has now been in prison without trial for more than three
years, might soon be sentenced to a long prison-term for his opposition
activities and calls for Bahrain’s National Assembly to be restored. It
calls on the new Amir of Bahrain, who assumed power a few weeks ago, to
order Shaikh Al-Jamri’s unconditional release, thereby demonstrating his
commitment to safeguarding human rights in his country.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 15 February 1999, 17 February 1998, 11 October, 4
October and 19 June 1995**
On 25 February 1999, a trial opened against Shaikh Al-Jamri, a 62-year old
religious scholar, poet and former member of the now defunct National
Assembly. He was arrested on 20 January 1996, along with seven other
prominent Shi’a Muslim clerics, apparently in connection with a petition he
circulated calling for constitutional change.
His detention beyond the three-year period violates Article 1 of the Decree
Law on State Security Measures, in force since 1974, which allows for
maximum administrative detention of three years. Throughout his time in
jail, PEN has received several reports that he has been mistreated. He was
apparently subjected to heavy pressure and threats in an effort to make him
sign pre-prepared legal documents disavowing his beliefs and was previously
hospitalised as a result of the poor conditions of his confinement.
On 21 February 1999, he was finally brought before the State Security court
in Jaw Prison. The judge was a relative of the ruling Al-Khalifa family. No
international observers were allowed in attendance and the session was held
in camera. He was charged with being responsible for all the public
disorders and acts of sabotage in Bahrain since December 1994, despite the
fact that he has never advocated violence and was actually imprisoned for
most of the period. It was agreed that he could be granted three additional
defence lawyers, in addition to the government-appointed lawyer, who was
only allowed to meet with his client for an hour before the session opened.
Shaikh Al-Jamri pleaded not guilty. Since then, trial dates have been set
and deferred, but there are reports that the trial will resume in about two
or three weeks from now. Many commentators believe that he will receive a
harsh custodial sentence of between ten and fifteen years.
The former ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Issa bin Salman al-Khalifa, died on 6
March 1999. His eldest son, Shaikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, was sworn in
as the new ruler of Bahrain. It is still unclear whether the new leadership
of the country will affect the outcome of Shaikh Al-Jamri’s case, but human
rights experts on Bahrain suggest that now is an opportune time to raise his
case.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Amir of Bahrain:
from
his peaceful advocacy of political reform in Bahrain and his call for the
National Assembly to be reconstituted
rights by ordering his release, as his imprisonment undermines the
internationally recognised right to freedom of expression
Appeals To
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa
Amir of Bahrain
Office of His Highness
PO Box 555, The Amiri Court
Rifa’s Palace
Bahrain
Fax: + 973 533033
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
