Bahrain: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that the Bahrainian authorities have refused to disclose the whereabouts of human rights defender, Mr Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar, who was arbitrarily arrested, early in the morning of 21 December 2008, from his residence in Mahooze village by state security forces despite there being no arrest warrant against him. No reason has been given for his arrest and his whereabouts are as yet unknown.

Further Information

Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar, 36 years old, has been active in helping the families of the detainees in Bahrain and has also worked to support the Unemployed Committee. He is well known for his role in organising peaceful sit-ins in collaboration with the families of detainees and the Unemployed Committee.

Front Line believes that the arbitrary arrest of Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar is directly related to his legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights, in particular his exercise of the right to assembly. In view of reports of Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar's detention and the fact that his whereabouts are currently unknown, Front Line is gravely concerned for his physical and psychological integrity and believes that this may form part of a campaign to restrict the work of human rights defenders in Bahrain.