According to IFEX, on August 13, Abdeljalil Al-Singace, head of the Shiite opposition group Haq (Movement for Liberties and Democracy) in Bahrain, was arrested at the airport in Muarraq upon returning from a conference on human rights conditions in Bahrain and speaking at London's House of Lords on rights violations and environmental degradation. Charges against him include defaming the government and judicial authorities and "publishing false information about the country's internal affairs" with the intent of tarnishing the perception of Bahrain. It is unknown if Al-Singace was allowed to bring his medication and wheelchair to prison, and his family is concerned about the condition of his health.
Following his arrest, seven other leading activists were detained, including: Abdul-Ghani Al-Khanjjar, who attended the same seminar in London; Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahlawi; Jaffar Ahmed Jassim Al-Hisabi; Sheikh Mohammed Al-Moqdad; Sheikh Saeed Al-Nori; Sheikh Mirza Al-Mahroos; and Sheikh Adbulhadi Al-Mukhuder. All of the activists have been held in unknown places and denied visits from their families and lawyers, putting them at risk of mistreatment and torture.
Mass protests against recent arrests have escalated tensions with security forces and Shiite dissidents. According to MSNBC, 160 arrests have been made over the past week, although many lawyers dispute the exact number. The Bahraini government is using its anti-terrorism law to make arrests, which allows longer detentions and harsher penalties.
According to an IFEX report, the upcoming Bahraini election on October 23rd is the motive for the government's crackdown on activists, and that recent arrests are an attempt to quash freedom of expression prior to the elections and are consequently increasing tensions between Shiites and Sunnis.
Please send letters to the Bahraini Embassy in your country demanding that they release Abdeljalil Al-Singace and other activists held on arbitrary charges, and encouraging the government of Bahrain to support freedom of expression and allow a democratic election to take place this October.
[ Read more ] [ Further information ] [ Statement issued by Human Rights Watch ]
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