Bahrain: “Social Media Misuse” and Suppression of Dissent Violate ICCPR
ADHRB remains deeply concerned about the continued systematic suppression of dissent in Bahrain. This occurs through the reduction of freedom of expression and social media usage of individuals, and has pervaded the legal system by way of the Press and Media Bill drafted by the Cabinet of Bahrain in 2019. This bill was drafted to modify the Press Law of 2002, and introduces the harmful concept of “social media misuse” and tougher penalties when the law is breached.
“Social media misuse” is defined as using social media to threaten community peace, cause division, and weaken national unity. This broad definition serves as a ploy for the state-sponsored pattern of systematic suppression of individuals who disapprove of the government. To do so, the bill focuses particularly on crimes of defamation, insult, spreading rumors, and damaging individuals, bodies, entities, and state institutions.
This bill targets independent users of social networking sites––going so far as to criminalize tweets and other activities on social media platforms––as well as journalists and directors of independent newspapers. For example, Al-Wasat, the only independent newspaper in Bahrain according to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), was forced to close in 2017. Other newspapers have been similarly targeted and forced to shut down, pay large fines, and, in some cases, employees have been forced to serve time in prison for the sole reason of having shared critical views on the government.
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A Belgian Senator and Member of Parliament Tabled Questions About the Human Rights Situation in Bahrain
On 18 November 2020, MP Hugues Bayet submitted a question in the Belgian Parliament Chamber and on 24 November 2020, another question was submitted in the Belgian Senate by Senator Bert Anciaux. Both Senator Anciaux and MP Bayet’s questions were submitted to Madame Sophie Wilmès, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) welcomes these parliamentary questions and thanks both Senator Anciaux and MP Bayet for bringing attention to the ongoing human rights abuses and the plight of human rights defenders and political activists in Bahrain.
MP Bayet asked, translated from French:
“I had already been able to question your predecessor in January 2020 about the human rights situation in Bahrain. Indeed, as many NGOs report, between acts of torture, arbitrary detentions and executions, this country has not been an example in terms of fundamental rights in recent years, even though it is party to various international treaties protecting human rights. Unfortunately, the situation did not improve. In June and July 2020, the Bahraini Court of Cassation confirmed the death sentences of four new people. They now have no access to any means of appeal to hope to escape this tragic situation and their sentences can be applied at any time.
“Twelve people are currently on death row in Bahrain because of their political opposition to the current regime. This despite the fact that all of them have confessed under torture. Their only hope is that the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Kahlifa, will decide to commute their sentences.
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Several Paris-based NGOs call upon the Mairie de Paris to cease all form of support for Bahrain “sport-washing” campaign
Since 2011, the Bahraini government violently represses any form of opposition and violates the human rights of its population. A number of political opponents have been sentenced to death by the authorities because of their involvement in the pro-democracy movement. Yet since July 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain also owns 20% of the shares of the Paris Football Club. The City of Paris is one of the club’s oldest partners. While the Council of Paris is preparing to vote on renewing the yearly subvention the City allocates to the Club, several Paris-based human rights NGOs, including ADHRB, have decided to call upon the City of Paris to integrate a dialogue on human rights and the death penalty to its relationship with the club. The Paris FC regularly intervenes for free with many young Parisians through diverse socio-educational programs.
Read The declaration HERE
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