ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #391
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** Bahrain
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** ADHRB raises the Culture of Impunity among officials in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
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In Saudi Arabia, the gruesome killing of former Saudi official and journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul is a vivid example of culture impunity. While for several years the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was blamed and accused for the brutal killing. After the release of the US intelligence report it should be clear and beyond the reasonable doubt that the actual person responsible behind giving the orders of the killing is no one but Mohammad bin Salman. What made the Saudi Crown Prince engages in such crime is the believe that government officials can get away with any crimes of human rights just because they can and because they are above any accountability.

In Bahrain, the picture is not very much different. Where we have the son of the king Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa engaged in consistent human rights violations where he personally tortured opposition figures, human rights defenders, and athletes. Instead of investigating the crimes he committed, the Bahraini king promoted him to a higher post in his government. This is yet another example of how culture of impunity has spread in Bahrain among highest officials in the country.

The only way this issue could be addressed comprehensively is when officials like MBS and Nasser bin Hamad face international consequences whether from this body or the security council or the new passed Magnitski Act.

Read the full article here ([link removed])

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** Irish TD Tables Question About the Human Rights and Democracy Situation in Bahrain
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A member of the Dáil Éireann, Seán Haughey TD, put forward a written question ([link removed]) to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, regarding the current situation of human rights and democracy in Bahrain and what Ireland is doing to address it. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) welcomes this parliamentary question and thanks Deputy Haughey for bringing attention to the ongoing human rights abuses and the plight of human rights defenders and political activists in Bahrain.

The question: “…if Ireland is supportive of the promotion of democracy and basic human rights in Bahrain; if Ireland can advance these objectives through the membership of the EU and the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”

In his response ([link removed]) to Deputy Haughey’s question, Minister Simon Coveney stated that “[r]espect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy” and that “[t]he human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of serious concern”. Furthermore, Minister Coveney noted that “[a]lthough Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, we [Ireland] are concerned by ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the targeting of human rights defenders”. Minister Coveney also noted that Ireland currently “engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain through the European Union” and that at the EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue, chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, “[a] number of issues of
concern were raised with Bahrain at the forum, including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture, and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation”. He also stated that Ireland has raised concerns on the human rights situation in the UN Human Rights Council.

Read the full article here ([link removed])


** Profile in Persecution
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** Ali Mohamed Hasan
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Ali Hasan was 22 years old when he was arrested along with his two cousins at their house in the Karanah area. During the period of the investigation, Ali was subjected to numerous human rights violations. He was tortured in order to obtain confessions from him and suffered a serious hand injury as a result; this was not mentioned in court despite his examination by a forensic doctor. He was found guilty in a mass trial on 31 January 2021, for joining a terrorist cell. He remains in Dry Dock Detention Center awaiting his transfer to Jau Prison.

On 16 January 2020 at dawn, Special Forces and CID officers in civilian clothes, who witnesses saw carrying Ali’s photo with them, raided Ali’s house in the Karanah area to arrest him. His two cousins who were sleeping with him in the house were also arrested and charged in the same case.

Ali was not brought to a judge in the first days after the arrest; instead he was taken to the investigations building to be interrogated. He was later transferred to Building 15 of Jau Prison, then to the Police Academy. There, he was tortured throughout the three-week-long investigation in an effort to get him to confess to the charges raised against him. Investigation and civilian officers from the Ministry of Interior blindfolded Ali before repeatedly subjecting him to slaps on his body (particularly his ears) and psychological torture. He was also hit on the head, and his hair was pulled forcefully so there would not be traces of bodily harm. At first, Ali hid the truth to refrain from worrying his family. However, his family later found out that he had been brutally attacked to such an extent that he was close to death. One of his hands also got injured and its skin was removed. He was then transferred to a forensic doctor who confirmed the existence of the injury.

Read the full article here ([link removed])


** ADHRB at the UN
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** HRC46 Written Statement: The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
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Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) submitted a written statement, to the Human Rights Council during its 46th session concerning the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen and the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In March 2015, an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened militarily at the request of the Yemeni President. This conflict has resulted in the largest humanitarian crisis in the world and has resulted in the deaths and injuries of thousands of Yemeni civilians. The conflict has resulted in over 24 million people – approximately 80 percent of the population – in need of dire humanitarian assistance, including over 12 million children. This humanitarian crisis has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as sanitation and clean water are in short supply and only half of the country’s health facilities are operational, with many that remain functional lacking basic necessities such as masks and gloves, let alone the oxygen and other necessary supplies to treat COVID-19. The conflict has resulted in civilians lacking access to the most basic of services, an economic crisis, a culture of impunity among local security forces, and collapsed governance, health,
education, and judicial systems. Moreover, the ongoing violence has resulted in large amounts of internally displaced persons (IDPs) which further impedes the humanitarian response. This, coupled with a destroyed economy, high levels of unemployment, and the lack of salaries for many of those employed in the public sector, has resulted in millions of Yemenis being forced into debt and unable to support their families.

Read the full text of the statement here ([link removed])
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HRC46 Written Statement: Environmental Violations committed by the Government of Bahrain

Bahrain resides within the heart of the Arabian Gulf, an archipelago of 33 natural islands with an additional 51 artificial ones, it comprises a total area of 765 sq. km. The largest of Bahrain’s islands is Manama, the capital, and comprises approximately 85 percent of the country’s total landmass. Manama consists mostly of rocky and bare terrain, apart from the narrow fertile strip located along the island’s North and North-Western Coast. Bahrain has a population of approximately 1.5 million people and is particularly vulnerable to plastic waste. Bahrain’s waters have been historically known for their richness of wildlife and are home to over 200 different fish species. Fishing, particularly pearl fishing, plays a significant role in Bahraini history as it was the primary means of subsistence for the Bahraini people for centuries. The sea is so important to Bahraini identity and culture that its name means two seas in Arabic, a tribute to its natural heritage of sweet water springs and
salty seawater.

Read the full text of the statement here ([link removed])


** GCC in the Wire
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- Qatar-Bahrain media war escalates after ‘offensive’ report by Al Jazeera (The Arab Weekly) ([link removed])

MANAMA--Recent TV broadcasts out of Doha and Manama have reflected mounting tensions between the two Gulf countries despite the reconciliation agreement reached last January during Al Ula summit in Saudi Arabia.

- Top Saudi official issued death threat against UN's Khashoggi investigator (The Guardian) ([link removed])

A senior Saudi official issued what was perceived to be a death threat against the independent United Nations investigator, Agnès Callamard, after her investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

- Labour Hartlepool by-election candidate said Saudi Arabia was ‘modern and progressive’ after going on £8,700 trip paid for by regime (The Independent) ([link removed])

Labour's candidate for the upcoming Hartlepool by-election described Saudi Arabia as a “modern, progressive” country after going on a junket organised by its autocratic regime, it has emerged.

- Alone in Oman: Covid worsens abuse for trafficked women (The Guardian) ([link removed])

Isha knew she was in trouble when her passport was snatched from her hands. The 27-year-old from Sierra Leone had just arrived in the Omani capital, Muscat, believing she was to start a well-paid job at a restaurant. Instead, her recruitment agent bundled her into a car and drove her to a house where she was told she would be working as a live-in maid.

- Saudis, Egypt embark on long road to ending Arab rift with Qatar (Reuters) ([link removed])

DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Egypt have begun tackling thorny issues with Qatar to rebuild ties, easing an inter-Arab feud seen by the United States as benefiting only mutual enemy Iran, but two Gulf states have been slow to follow suit as promised, diplomats say.

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Are you a victim of a human rights abuse in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, or other GCC states?

Document your case with the Special Procedures of the United Nations through
** ADHRB's UN Complaint Program ([link removed])
.

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