Bahrain
16.03.00
Urgent Interventions
Bahrain: arbitrary arrests of children in February and March 2000
Case BHR 160300.CC
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has received information from the Bahrain Human Rights Organisation, (BHRO), a member of the network, regarding the arrest and arbitrary detention of a number of children in February and March 2000.
According to the information received, the children include Hassan Salman Al Laith, 16, Ali Ahmed Jaffar Al Laith, 16, Mohammed Hassan Maki, 16, Jaffar Mohammed Abdul Rasul, 17 ( all were arrested on 10 March from Dar Kulaib area), Hussain Ali Hassan Al Affia, 16 (arrested on 10 March from Shahrakkan area), Khadem Abdula Ali, 14, Hussain Ahmed Abas, 14 and Hussain Ali, 14 (the latter three were arrested on 7 March from Dair Area. They were threatened and intimidated then released on the same day. They had been arrested twice before and were accused of writing pro- democracy slogan).
On 20 February, one citizen, Ali Mansoor, 17, from Abo- Saiba, was snatched from his house.
These cases are part of the ongoing political unrest and the widespread popular movement calling for political reforms and the restoration of democracy.
On 26 August 1975, Amiri Act No. 14 was issued dissolving the National Assembly. Subsequently, Amiri Act No. 4 /1975 was issued suspending Article 65 of the Constitution and other articles relevant to the organization of parliamentary life. These two Acts, which are still in force, constitute a violation of Articles 65, 32/a, and 42 of the Constitution. The constitution establishes that in such an event elections for a new assembly must be held within two months. The ruling family has steadfastly refused to do it, and this refusal is one major factor underlying the current unrest.
These persons were arrested under the 1974 State Security Law which allows for the detention of a person without charge or trial for up to three years and sets a special court system "the State Security Court", a procedure of which falls short of International standards for fair trial.
The International Secretariat recalls that Bahrain is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and as such is obligated to ensure the protection of all children against all forms of illegal or arbitrary detention, as well as protect against torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Recalling previous appeals on Bahrain, involving frequent cases of detention, OMCT is concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of these persons.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Bahrain urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the above- mentioned children and order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
ii. put an immediate end to the use of arbitrary or illegal detention of children and abrogate 1974 State Security Law and all national laws which are not in compliance with international human rights standards;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Addresses
His Highness Ilamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, Office of His Highness the Amir, P.O. Box 555, The Amiri
Court, Rifa’a Palace, Bahrain. Fax : + 973 668884. Telex : 8666 Qasar BN; 8500 Qasar BN
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain. Telex : 9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN. FAX: + 973 533033.
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, P.O. Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain. Fax : + 973 276765 or 290526 or 754303. Telex : 9572 PSMKT BN OR 8333 ALAMAN BN
Geneva, March 16, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has received information from the Bahrain Human Rights Organisation, (BHRO), a member of the network, regarding the arrest and arbitrary detention of a number of children in February and March 2000.
According to the information received, the children include Hassan Salman Al Laith, 16, Ali Ahmed Jaffar Al Laith, 16, Mohammed Hassan Maki, 16, Jaffar Mohammed Abdul Rasul, 17 ( all were arrested on 10 March from Dar Kulaib area), Hussain Ali Hassan Al Affia, 16 (arrested on 10 March from Shahrakkan area), Khadem Abdula Ali, 14, Hussain Ahmed Abas, 14 and Hussain Ali, 14 (the latter three were arrested on 7 March from Dair Area. They were threatened and intimidated then released on the same day. They had been arrested twice before and were accused of writing pro- democracy slogan).
On 20 February, one citizen, Ali Mansoor, 17, from Abo- Saiba, was snatched from his house.
These cases are part of the ongoing political unrest and the widespread popular movement calling for political reforms and the restoration of democracy.
On 26 August 1975, Amiri Act No. 14 was issued dissolving the National Assembly. Subsequently, Amiri Act No. 4 /1975 was issued suspending Article 65 of the Constitution and other articles relevant to the organization of parliamentary life. These two Acts, which are still in force, constitute a violation of Articles 65, 32/a, and 42 of the Constitution. The constitution establishes that in such an event elections for a new assembly must be held within two months. The ruling family has steadfastly refused to do it, and this refusal is one major factor underlying the current unrest.
These persons were arrested under the 1974 State Security Law which allows for the detention of a person without charge or trial for up to three years and sets a special court system "the State Security Court", a procedure of which falls short of International standards for fair trial.
The International Secretariat recalls that Bahrain is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and as such is obligated to ensure the protection of all children against all forms of illegal or arbitrary detention, as well as protect against torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Recalling previous appeals on Bahrain, involving frequent cases of detention, OMCT is concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of these persons.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Bahrain urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the above- mentioned children and order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
ii. put an immediate end to the use of arbitrary or illegal detention of children and abrogate 1974 State Security Law and all national laws which are not in compliance with international human rights standards;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Addresses
His Highness Ilamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, Office of His Highness the Amir, P.O. Box 555, The Amiri
Court, Rifa’a Palace, Bahrain. Fax : + 973 668884. Telex : 8666 Qasar BN; 8500 Qasar BN
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain. Telex : 9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN. FAX: + 973 533033.
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, P.O. Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain. Fax : + 973 276765 or 290526 or 754303. Telex : 9572 PSMKT BN OR 8333 ALAMAN BN
Geneva, March 16, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.