Bahrain(Further Information):
PRISONER DESCRIBES TORTURE TO COURT

TEACHERS ARRESTED FOR STRIKING IN BAHRAIN

The former president and vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) have been detained since the end of March. They are now facing trial and Amnesty International believes they are likely to be prisoners of conscience.

Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, together with several other board members of the BTA, were arrested in March and April 2011. While their colleagues were released, they were brought to trial before the National Safety Court of First Instance (a military court) on 15 June on charges which include “inciting hatred towards the regime”, “calling to overthrow and change the regime by force”, “calling on parents not to send their children to school” and “calling on teachers to stop working and participate in strikes and demonstrations”. After further hearings on 22 and 29 June - their trial was transferred to a civilian court and postponed until further notice.

Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama was raided on 29 March by more than 40 security officers. She was reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama where she remained for about a week during which she was reportedly beaten, including with objects, and held in solitary confinement. She is believed to have been transferred to the custody of the military and held there for around two months, before being transferred again to a detention centre in ‘Issa Town in Bahrain, where she is currently held. Jalila al-Salman’s family were not aware of her whereabouts until soon after her transfer to the detention centre in ‘Issa Town and have only been allowed to see her there on two occasions. The second of these visits was on 16 July, and was under very strict surveillance.

Amnesty International has reviewed statements issued by the BTA. One of them, published on 13 March, called on teachers and employees of the Ministry of Education to go on strike, and on parents not to take their children to school during large-scale demonstrations in Bahrain. Amnesty International has also listened to speeches delivered by Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb that made similar appeals. It has, however, seen no evidence that either of them advocated violence of any kind in these or other activities. Consequently, although the organization does not have the full details of the evidence presented so far in the trial, it believes that they are likely to be prisoners of conscience detained solely for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly as leading members of the BTA.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

After the February-March 2011 unrest in Bahrain, the Minister of Human Rights and Social Development dissolved the board of the BTA and other associations and substituted the board members by government-appointed members. Local human rights organizations have reported that many teachers and members of the BTA have been subjected to torture, detention and harassment for their participation in peaceful protests. All teachers have reportedly been released except the two mentioned above.

Hundreds of people have been detained in Bahrain in connection with anti-government protests since mid-March when Bahraini armed and security forces crushed the protests. Scores of detainees, including medical doctors and prominent opposition activists, were brought before military courts for leading the protests and in some cases for calling for regime change. On 29 June the King of Bahrain issued a decree transferring all cases being examined by military courts to ordinary civilian courts.

Name: Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb
Gender m/f: Jalila al-Salman - female
Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb - male

UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/040/2011 Issue Date: 26 July 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

TEACHERS TO BE TRIED BY A MILITARY COURT

The former president and vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA), who were detained at the end of March, will be tried before a military court on 29 August. Amnesty International believes they may be prisoners of conscience.

Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb will be tried before the National Safety Court of First Instance, a military court, on 29 August. The two have already appeared before this court three times; on 15, 22 and 29 June, on charges that include “inciting hatred towards the regime”, “calling to overthrow and change the regime by force”, “calling on parents not to send their children to school” and “calling on teachers to stop working and participate in strikes and demonstrations”. They deny the charges. Jalila al-Salman, former vice-president of BTA, was released on bail on 21 August. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb remains in detention.

Their trial was supposed to have been transferred from the National Safety Court to a civilian court, following the issuance of a decree by the King of Bahrain on 29 June referring all cases linked to the February-March 2011 anti-government protests to ordinary civilian courts. However, on 18 August the King issued a new decree (Decree 28/20011) stating that the National Safety Court of First Instance will continue to deal with felony (serious criminal) cases whereas all misdemeanour (less serious) cases will be referred to ordinary civilian cases.

Amnesty International has reviewed statements issued by the BTA and has also listened to speeches delivered by Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb calling on teachers and employees of the Ministry of Education to go on strike, and on parents not to take their children to school during demonstrations in Bahrain. These do not include advocacy of violence and while Amnesty International does not have full details of the evidence presented to the trial court, it considers that they appear to have been targeted solely on account of their leadership of the BTA and their legitimate exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. As civilians they should not be tried by a military court; trials of civilians before such courts breach their right to fair trial.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

After the February-March 2011 unrest in Bahrain, the Minister of Human Rights and Social Development dissolved the board of the BTA and other associations and substituted the board members by government-appointed members. Local human rights organizations have reported that many teachers and members of the BTA have been subjected to torture, detention and harassment for their participation in peaceful protests. All teachers have reportedly been released except the two mentioned above.

Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama was raided on 29 March by more than 40 security officers. She was taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama where she remained for 10 days during which she was reportedly beaten, including with objects, and held in solitary confinement. She was then transferred to the custody of the military and held by the military for around two months, before being transferred again to a detention centre in ‘Issa Town in Bahrain, where she was held until her release on bail on 21 August. Jalila al-Salman’s family were not aware of her whereabouts until soon after her transfer to the detention centre in ‘Issa Town.

Hundreds of people have been detained in Bahrain in connection with anti-government protests since mid-March when Bahraini armed and security forces crushed the protests. Scores of detainees, including medical doctors and prominent opposition activists, were brought before military courts for leading the protests and in some cases for calling for regime change. On 29 June the King of Bahrain issued a decree transferring all cases being examined by military courts to ordinary civilian courts.

Name: Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb
Gender m/f: Jalila al-Salman - female
Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb - male

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/043/2011 Issue Date: 23 August 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

TEACHERS' MILITARY TRIAL RESUMES

The trial of the former president and vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) resumed before a military court on 29 August, and has been postponed until 25 September. Amnesty International believes they may be prisoners of conscience.

Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘ Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb were brought before the military National Safety Court of First Instance for the fourth time on 29 August; they denied all the charges against them. Jalila al-Salman, former BTA vice-president, had already been released on bail on 21 August while Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb is still detained. The trial will resume on 25 September.

During the 29 August trial session, judges apparently refused demands by Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s lawyer that he should be released on bail, and apparently also refused to have new witnesses called to give evidence.

The King of Bahrain announced on 28 August that he would pardon some of the protesters on trial, but no more information has been released on names or charges. According to press statements he said, "There are those who are charged with abusing us and senior officials in Bahrain, we today announce that we forgive them."

Amnesty International has reviewed statements issued by the BTA and has also listened to speeches delivered by Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb calling on teachers and employees of the Ministry of Education to go on strike, and on parents not to take their children to school during demonstrations in Bahrain. These do not include advocacy of violence and while Amnesty International does not have full details of the evidence presented to the trial court, it considers that they appear to have been targeted solely for their leadership of the BTA and their legitimate exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. As civilians they should not be tried by a military court; trials of civilians before such courts breach their right to fair trial.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Arabic or your own language:
-- Expressing concern that Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Deeb are being tried before a military court although they are civilians, in breach of their right to fair trial before an independent and impartial court;
-- Expressing concern that they may have been targeted solely on account of their leadership of the BTA and legitimately exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, in which case they are prisoners of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally
-- Urging the authorities to protect them from torture or other ill-treatment and to order immediately a full, impartial and independent investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of Jalila al-Salman, publish the results and bring to justice any persons found responsible.
 

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 11 OCTOBER 2011 TO:

King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty
 

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness
 

Minister of Justice
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs,
P.O. Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 31 284
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/045/2011 Issue Date: 30 August 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

BAHRAIN TEACHERS GIVEN JAIL SENTENCES

The former president and vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) have been sentenced by a military court in Bahrain to 10 and three years in prison respectively. Amnesty International believes they may be prisoners of conscience.

On 25 September Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman were sentenced by the National Safety Court of First Instance, a military court in Bahrain, to 10 and three years in prison respectively. They were charged with, among other offences, using their positions within the BTA to call for a strike by teachers, halting the educational process, inciting hatred of the regime and attempting to overthrow the ruling system by force, possessing pamphlets and disseminating fabricated stories and information.

Jalila al-Salman, former BTA vice-president, was released on bail on 21 August after spending nearly five months in detention, during which she alleges she was ill-treated and verbally abused. She is currently not in jail. She told Amnesty International: “We need the support of Amnesty International supporters. We know they are doing their best and we want to thank them for all they have done for us until now, but we still need their support.”

Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, former BTA president, has been in detention since his arrest on 6 April. He alleges that he was held in solitary confinement for 64 days and tortured in prison, including by being beaten on the head, back and legs and being forced to remain standing for prolonged periods of time. Their lawyers say they will appeal the sentence and are demanding that the appeal be heard before a civilian court of appeal.

To the knowledge of Amnesty International, Mahdi ‘ Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman have never advocated violence and appear to have been targeted solely for their leadership of the BTA and for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. As civilians they should not have been tried and sentenced by a military court; trials of civilians before such courts breach their right to a fair trial.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama was raided on 29 March by more than 40 security officers. She was reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama where she was reportedly ill-treated and verbally abused. She remained there for eight days until she was transferred to a women’s detention centre in ‘Issa Town and kept there in solitary confinement for 18 days. She was then transferred to a cell with other women within the same facility. She was released on bail on 21 August.

Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was detained on 6 April after a raid on his uncle’s house. Both he and his uncle were arrested; his uncle was released 72 days later. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb's family did not know where he was for 24 days. He spent 64 days in solitary confinement during which he says he was tortured. His family and lawyer were only allowed to see him during the first session of the trial on 7 June.

Together with Jalila and Mahdi, scores of health workers, opposition activists, human rights activists and others have been facing military trials in Bahrain. Months have passed since scores of people demonstrated in Pearl Roundabout in February and March 2011, but the human rights situation in Bahrain is still very grim. Hundreds of people suspected of being connected with the anti-government protests are detained amid serious allegations of torture; scores of them have received unfair trials before military courts; and at least 2,500 others have been suspended or fired from their jobs.

Fourteen opposition figures who led and participated in the demonstrations in February and March were sentenced on 22 June to very harsh prison terms, including seven life sentences, on broadly worded terrorism charges. They have appealed their convictions and a verdict in their appeal trial is expected on 28 September.

On 29 June, the King decreed that all cases linked to the February-March 2011 protests would be transferred to ordinary civilian courts; he then issued a further decree on 18 August ordering that the National Safety Court of First Instance continue to deal with felony (serious criminal) cases, while misdemeanour (less serious) cases would be referred to the civilian courts.

Name: Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman
Gender m/f: Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb is male and Jalila al-Salman is female

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/051/2011 Issue Date: 26 September 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

FEARS OF TORTURE FOR BAHRAINI TEACHER

The fomer vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA), Jalila al-Salman, has been re-arrested in Bahrain and sent to jail ahead of her appeal hearing on 1 December. Amnesty International fears she might be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment and that she may be a prisoner of conscience.

At 3am on 18 October Jalila al-Salman’s house was raided by riot police and other security officials. in five jeeps and two civilian cars. They did not show any official arrest warrant but took Jalila al-Salman away saying they were implementing a court order for her arrest. An hour later, she was able to phone her family to tell them she was being held at Issa Town detention centre. It appears that the Bahrain authorities are enforcing the three year prison sentence imposed on her on 25 September 2011 although her appeal to a civilian court is due to be heard on 1 December and other prisoners awaiting appeals have been released on bail.

Jalila al-Salman was tried before the National Safety Court, a military court, although she and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, former vice president of the BTA, who was tried with her, are both civilians. Mahdi received a 10 year prison sentence on 25 September while Jalila received 3 years. They were convicted of offences allegedly committed at the time of mass popular protests in Bahrain last March which were brutally suppressed by the security forces.

Jalila al-Salman was released on bail on 21 August after more than five months in detention, during which she alleges she was ill-treated and verbally abused. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb has been in prison since his arrest.

The High Criminal Court of Appeal is due to hear their appeal on 1 December 2011. Amnesty International believes their trial was unfair and that they may be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely on account of their legitimate exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On 25 September Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman were sentenced by the National Safety Court of First Instance, a military court in Bahrain, to 10 and three years in prison respectively. They were charged with, among other offences, using their positions within the BTA to call for a strike by teachers, halting the educational process, inciting hatred of the regime and attempting to overthrow the ruling system by force, possessing pamphlets and disseminating fabricated stories and information.

When she was detained earlier this year, on 29 March, Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama was raided by more than 40 security officials. She was then reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama and ill-treated and verbally abused. She remained there for eight days until she was transferred to a women’s detention centre in ‘Issa Town, where she was kept in solitary confinement for 18 days. She was then transferred to a cell with other women within the same facility. Jalila al-Salman was released on bail on 21 August after more than five months in detention. She was not present in court when her sentence was announced on 25 September.,

Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was detained on 6 April after a raid on his uncle’s house. Both he and his uncle were arrested; his uncle was released 72 days later. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb's family did not know where he was for 24 days. He spent 64 days in solitary confinement during which he says he was tortured. His family and lawyer were only allowed to see him during the first session of the trial on 7 June. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb has remained in prison since his arrest.

To the knowledge of Amnesty International, Mahdi ‘ Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman have never used or advocated violence. They appear to have been targeted solely for their leadership of the BTA and for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. As civilians they should not have been tried and sentenced by a military court. Trials of civilians before such courts breach their right to a fair trial.

Together with Jalila and Mahdi, scores of health workers, opposition activists, human rights activists and others have been facing military trials in Bahrain,. However many of them are now facing appeals before civilian courts. Months have passed since scores of people demonstrated at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama in February and March 2011, but the human rights situation in Bahrain is still very grim. Hundreds of people have been detained in connection with the anti-government protests, many of whom are still, and there have been serious allegations of torture. Sores have been tried before unfair military courts; and at least 2,500 others have been suspended or fired from their jobs.

Fourteen opposition figures who led and participated in the demonstrations in February and March were sentenced on 22 June to very harsh prison terms, including seven life sentences, on broadly worded terrorism charges. Their sentences were upheld on 28 September by the national safety Court of Appeal, a military court.
On 29 June, the King decreed that all cases linked to the February-March 2011 protests would be transferred to ordinary civilian courts; he then issued a further decree on 18 August ordering that the National Safety Court of First Instance continue to deal with felony (serious criminal) cases, while misdemeanour (less serious) cases would be referred to the civilian courts.

For the original UA and other updates please see http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/040/2011/en
http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/043/2011/en
http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/045/2011/en

Name: Jalila al-Salman (f) Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb (m)
Gender m/f: both

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/057/2011 Issue Date: 19 October 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

BAHRAINI TEACHERS’ APPEAL GOING AHEAD

Jalila al-Salman, former vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA), was released on 1 November following her re-arrest in October. Her appeal and that of her colleague Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, former president of the BTA, is on 11 December.

Jalila al-Salman was first arrested on 29 March. She was held in prison for over five months. During that time, she alleges, she was subjected to ill-treatment and verbal abuse. She was released on bail on 21 August, but sentenced by the National Safety Court of First Instance, a military court, on 25 September to three years in prison. She was not present in court at the time. She was rearrested on 18 October and subsequently released on bail on 1 November pending an appeal hearing. Her colleague Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was tried and sentenced by the same court to 10 years in prison. He remains in prison, having been detained since his arrest. Both were convicted of using their positions to call for a strike by teachers, halting the educational process, inciting hatred of the regime, attempting to overthrow the ruling system by force, possessing pamphlets and disseminating fabricated stories and information, among other charges.

Both made appeals against their sentences, which will be heard by the High Criminal Court of Appeal on 11 December. Her lawyer has reportedly said he will ask the appeal court also to lift an outstanding travel ban on Jalila al-Salman. Amnesty International believes Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman have not used or advocated violence. They appear to have been targeted solely for their leadership of the BTA and for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. As civilians they should not have been tried and sentenced by a military court.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

When she was detained earlier this year, on 29 March, Jalila al-Salman’s house in Manama was raided by more than 40 security officials. She was then reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama and ill-treated and verbally abused. She remained there for eight days until she was transferred to a women’s detention centre in ‘Issa Town, where she was kept in solitary confinement for 18 days. She was then transferred to a cell with other women within the same facility. Jalila al-Salman was released on bail on 21 August after more than five months in detention.

Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was detained on 6 April after a raid on his uncle’s house. Both he and his uncle were arrested; his uncle was released 72 days later. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb's family did not know where he was for 24 days. He spent 64 days in solitary confinement during which he says he was tortured. His family and lawyer were only allowed to see him during the first session of the trial on 7 June. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb has remained in prison since his arrest.

Together with Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman, scores of health workers, opposition activists, human rights activists and others been tried before military courts in Bahrain. Many of those convicted are now facing appeals before civilian courts. Months have passed since scores of people demonstrated at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama in February and March 2011, but the human rights situation in Bahrain is still very grim. Hundreds of people have been detained in connection with the anti-government protests and there have been serious allegations of torture. At least 2,500 others have been suspended or fired from their jobs.

Fourteen opposition figures who led and participated in the demonstrations in February and March were sentenced on 22 June to very harsh prison terms, including seven life sentences, on broadly worded terrorism charges. Their sentences were upheld on 28 September by the National Safety Court of Appeal, a military court.

On 29 June, the King decreed that all cases linked to the February-March 2011 protests would be transferred to ordinary civilian courts; he then issued a further decree on 18 August ordering that the National Safety Court of First Instance continue to deal with felony (serious criminal) cases, while misdemeanour (less serious) cases would be referred to the civilian courts.

Name: Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman
Gender m/f: Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, M. Jalila al-Salman, F

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/059/2011 Issue Date: 14 November 2011

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en

 

PRISONER DESCRIBES TORTURE TO COURT

Former president of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb has provided a detailed account in court of his torture and other ill-treatment. Amnesty International is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s, appeal hearing resumed on 2 April 2012. They are the former vice-president and president of the BTA. Two previous hearings had taken place on 9 January and 19 February 2012. During the 2 April hearing, Mahdi Isa Mahdi Adu Dheeb told the court for the first time since his trial started how he had been tortured or otherwise ill-treated. Methods included beatings while he was suspended from his arms and legs, tied behind his back. He told the court that he had been tortured in different locations, including Gurein prison, during the several weeks he spent in solitary confinement. He also said he was beaten by a nurse inside the ambulance that was taking him to Salmaniya Medical complex to be treated for injuries caused by the torture that happened at the beginning of his detention last year.

In previous sessions Mahdi Isa Mahdi Adu Dheeb had been referred for examination by a forensic medical body made up of staff members of Gulf University, Ministry of Health and a forensic doctor from the Public Prosecution. His lawyer challenged the impartiality of this body but the judge rejected the complaint. However, the people that should form this body have not been appointed yet and Mahdi Isa Mahdi Adu Dheeb’s examination has not yet taken place. His lawyer asked the judge to release him on bail but this request was rejected and the trial has been postponed until 2 May.

Amnesty International believes that neither Mahdi Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb nor Jalila al Salman used or advocated violence during the protests of February and March 2011 and the Bahraini authorities have presented no such evidence during the trial. Amnesty International considers Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb to be prisoners of conscience held solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On 29 March 2011, Jalila al-Salman’s house in the capital, Manama, was raided by more than 40 security officials. She was then reportedly taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Manama and ill-treated and verbally abused. She remained there for eight days until she was transferred to a women’s detention centre in ‘Issa Town, in the outskirts of Manama, where she was kept in solitary confinement for 18 days. She was then transferred to a cell with other women within the same facility. Jalila al-Salman was released on bail on 21 August after more than five months in detention. On 25 September the National Safety Court of First Instance, a military court, sentenced her to three years in prison. Her appeal before a civilian court of appeal started on 11 December.

Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was detained on 6 April 2011 after a raid on his uncle’s house. Both he and his uncle were arrested; his uncle was released 72 days later. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb's family did not know where he was for 24 days. He spent 64 days in solitary confinement, during which he says he was tortured. His family and lawyer were only allowed to see him during the first session of his trial on 7 June 2011. Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb has remained in prison since his arrest. He was sentenced with Jalila al-Salman on 25 September by the National Safety court of First Instance to 10 years in prison. His appeal before a civilian court of appeal started on 11 December.

Both were convicted of using their positions at the Bahrain’s Teachers’ Association (BTA) to call for a strike by teachers, halting the educational process, inciting hatred of the regime, attempting to overthrow the ruling system by force, possessing pamphlets and disseminating fabricated stories and information, among other charges.

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) was established by Royal Decree on 29 June to investigate abuses during the March/February protests and other abuses in the following months. The full report was published on 23 November. Hundreds of cases were covered in the report, including beatings of protesters by security forces, mass arbitrary arrests of mainly Shi’a opposition activists and widespread torture, with five deaths resulting from torture in custody. In all, at least 46 people have died in connection with the protests, including five security personnel. The report urged the Bahraini government to establish immediately an independent body made up of representatives of civil society, the opposition and the government; to oversee the implementation of the BICI’s recommendations; to usher in legislative reforms to ensure laws are in line with international human rights standards; and to bring to account those responsible for abuses.

Name: Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman

Gender m/f: Both

Further information on UA: 227/11 Index: MDE 11/021/2012 Issue Date: 3 April 2012

Take action

Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
-- Urge the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
-- Urge them to drop all the charges against Jalila al Salman immediately, since she is on trial only for peacefully exercising her legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association;
-- Urge them to order an immediate independent and impartial investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, publish the results and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 MAY 2012 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 176 64 587
Salutation: Your Majesty

Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama,
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 33 033
Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, al- Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 36 343
Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 227/11 Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/057/2011/en