Bahreïn: des défenseurs des droits humains toujours détenus, maltraités et torturés

Your Majesty,

I am deeply concerned following reports of the continued ill-treatment and torture of human rights defenders Mohammed Abdullah Al Sengais, head of the Committee to Combat High Prices; Hassan Abdulnabi Hassan and Maytham Bader Jassim Al-Sheikh, members of the Unemployment Committee; and Naji Ali Fateel, member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR). They were arrested between 21 December and 28 December 2007 and are being detained in the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).

On 16 April 2008, a medical report asserted that the human rights defenders had been subjected to torture. This has reportedly led to very painful spinal disk injuries suffered by Mohammed Abdullah Al Sengais, which have caused him sleep deprivation, nausea and psychological trauma. He is currently receiving psychiatric treatment and he is displaying low haemoglobin levels, indicating that he is suffering from malnutrition. The judge of the Higher Criminal Court, Shaikh Mohammed Al-Khalifa, has postponed the prosecution to 11 May 2008.

I believe that Mohammed Abdullah Al Sengais, Hassan Abdulnabi Hassan, Maytham Bader Jassim Al-Sheikh, and Naji Ali Fateel, have been detained and subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading forms of ill-treatment and torture as a result of their legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights. I am extremely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of all human rights defenders who are detained.

I urge the authorities in Bahrain to:

1. Grant the immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Abdullah Al Sengais, Hassan Abdulnabi Hassan, Maytham Bader Jassim Al-Sheikh, and Naji Ali Fateel as I believe that they are being detained solely on the basis of their legitimate non-violent human rights work;

2. Initiate an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the reports of torture and ill-treatment with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice;

3. Take measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the aforementioned human rights defenders while in detention and ensure their freedom from ill-treatment and torture, as is their right under Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

4. Ensure that the treatment of the human rights defenders in custody adheres to all those conditions set out in the ‘Basic Principles for Treatment of Prisoners, adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990’;

5. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders and organisations in Bahrain are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 5 (a) which states that: “For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels, to meet or assemble peacefully,” and to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

Yours sincerely,