Two activists climbed to the roof of the Bahrain embassy in London yesterday. Prominent opposition activist Ali Mushaima was joined by Moosa Abdali to protest human rights violations in Bahrain, ahead of this weekend’s controversial Grand Prix. The pair scaled scaffolding on a neighbouring building in Belgrave Square. Mushaima claimed he was protesting in solidarity with two of the country’s political prisoners, his father Shi’a politician Hassan Mushaima, and prominent activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The activist criticised the decision to allow the Grand Prix to go ahead at the weekend, saying by doing so, Formula 1 supports “dictatorship, torture and repression.”
Prominent Bahraini activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja is now entering his 63rd day of hunger strike. Index joins rights organisations, politicians and academics in calling on Bahrain’s ruler, King Hamad to release him immediately (more…)
Bahraini authorities banned several books from the country’s international book fair, which was held between 22 March and 1 April. The Press and Publications Directorate, which is affiliated with the Information Affairs Authority, banned and confiscated all copies of the book “Political organisations and societies in Bahrain”, co authored by journalist Abbas Almurshid and human rights defender Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, who is currently on hunger strike. Another book by Almurshid, “Bahrain in the Gulf Gazetteer” was also banned by The Press and Publications Directorate. Other books removed from the fair include the novel “Jazaweyat” by Saudi author Fahad Fatik and “Wahhabism” by Saudi author Miqat AlRajehi.
A citizen journalist who was shot during a peaceful protest in Bahrain has died in hospital. Ahmed IsmaelHassan al-Samadi was shot in the thigh whilst filming tear-gas being fired on protesters near Bahrain’s capital. It is believed al-Samadi was targeted for having a video camera, by armed men who were accompanying security forces. Violence has intensified in Bahrain in the run up to the Grand Prix, which will take place later this month.
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights accept the Advocacy Award, which recognises campaigners or activists who have fought repression, or have struggled to challenge political climates and perceptions
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) has played a crucial role in documenting human rights violations, political repression and torture in the gulf kingdom. Despite efforts to silence and discredit it, the BCHR has kept international attention on the brutal government crackdown that began last February. It has prevented the Bahrain government from whitewashing its international image, and at times when news media were severely restricted and foreign journalists barred, it acted as a crucial source of alternative news.
Former BCHR president Abdulhady Al Khawaja is one of eight activists serving life sentences for peacefully protesting at the now-demolished Pearl Roundabout. Like many other activists he claims he has been tortured in prison. It is widely reported that BCHR employees regularly experience threats, violence and harassment. In January 2012, BCHR president Nabeel Rajab was severely beaten by security forces while peacefully protesting.
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As the sporting world prepares to turn their attention to Bahrain on 22 April for its annual Formula One Grand Prix, Kristian Ulrichsen examines the impact of the race on the country (more…)
