FREE AHMED

Mail from the Human Rights Centre - For the Record

2006-01-12T18:23:00.000+03:00

انتهاكات خطيرة لحقوق الإنسان في البحرين:

احتجاز تعسفي وملاحقة ومحاكمات غير عادلة بحق عشرين مواطنا بينهم مدافعون عن حقوق الإنسان

- التناقضات والانتهاكات المتعلقة بالقضية

- تفاصيل الجلسات الأولى للمحاكمات

يتابع مركز البحرين لحقوق الإنسان بقلق بالغ محاكمة مجموعات المواطنين –بينهم نشطاء حقوق إنسان – بدوافع تبدو أنها سياسية وانتقامية. والجدير بالذكر أن العديد من المتهمين في هذه القضية سبق وان تعرضوا لاعتداءات قوات الأمن أو الاعتقال خلال الشهور الستة الأخيرة بسبب نشاطاتهم. وأن أربعة من هؤلاء، وهم حسن عبدالنبي وحسن الحداد ونادر عبدالإمام ومحسن السلمان كانوا ضمن عشرة أشخاص اعتصموا في مبنى الأمم المتحدة في ديسمبر الماضي للمطالبة بالحماية من تهديدات السلطة، فيما تعرض اثنان آخرون من نفس المجموعة، وهم عبدالرؤوف الشايب وسيد شرف الستري لاعتداء قوات الأمن أثناء تواجدهم في المطار، ويعتبر البعض ذلك تصفية للحسابات قامت به السلطة ضد الناشطين المذكورين ورسالة قوية لغيرهم من الناشطين ومؤسسات المجتمع المدني الذين يطالبون بإصلاحات حقيقية وتعزيز الحريات العامة وحقوق الإنسان. وكانت أحداث المطار قد تواكبت مع قضية أخرى في نفس الاتجاه تمثلت في استدعاء جهاز الأمن لكل من رئيس جمعية العمل الوطني الديمقراطي والناشط الحقوقي عبدالنبي العكري بسبب انتقاداتهم للسلطة في جريدة القبس الكويتية.

إن ما سيرد في هذا البيان يكشف بشكل موجز بأن السلطة قد تعاملت مع قضية المعتقلين في حادثة المطار بدوافع سياسية وليس قانونية، وأن هذه القضية ذات علاقة بانتهاك المعايير الدولية لحقوق الإنسان المتعلقة بالحق في حرية التعبير، والحق في حرية التجمع، وبالاستخدام المفرط للقوة من قبل قوات الأمن، وبالحجز التعسفي، وسوء استخدام النيابة العامة لسلطاتها، وعدم استقلالية القضاء. وإن الشواهد تدل على أن المتهمين في هذه القضية لا يتمتعون بفرصة حقيقة للحصول على محاكمة عادلة. وبناء على جميع ذلك، يطالب مركز البحرين لحقوق الإنسان بإطلاق سراح المعتقلين فورا. وإذا كان ثمة قرائن حقيقية على قيام أي شخص بالتخريب فيجب أن يكون ذلك ضمن إجراءات عادلة وفقا للمعايير الدولية، ولا يمنع ذلك الإطلاق الفوري لسراح المعتقلين. ويطالب المركز بالتحقيق الفوري والمحايد في لاتهامات الموجهة لقوات الأمن بالاستخدام المفرط للقوة. ويوصي المركز باستخدام هذه القضية لتقييم أداء النيابة العامة واستقلالية القضاء، كما يطالب المركز بتعويض المتضررين من أية انتهاكات للقانون والمعايير الدولية.

الجدير بالذكر أن أهالي المعتقلين قد بدءوا حملة للتحرك على إطلاق سراح المعتقلين، وقد واجهت قوات الأمن فعالياتهم حتى الآن بعنف، وأن مركز البحرين لحقوق الإنسان يساند بشكل كامل تحرك لجنة أهالي المعتقلين ويقوم بتوثيق قضايا المعتقلين والاعتداءات التي تقوم بها قوات الأمن ليتم إصدار تقارير موثقة حول القضية ورفعها للجهات الدولية المختصة.

الانتهاكات والتناقضات المتعلقة بالقضية:

أولا: تضارب موقف السلطة بـشأن "المتهم" الأساسي ومعاقبة المتعاطفين مع قضيته: أقدمت السلطة بتاريخ 25 ديسمبر 2005 على إلقاء القبض على الشيخ محمد سند بتهمة المساس بأمن الدولة بسبب مطالبته علنا بإجراء استفتاء على شرعية النظام السياسي في البحرين بإشراف الأمم المتحدة. ولكن بدلا من تقديمه للنيابة العامة أو المحاكمة كما كان مزمعاً، تم إطلاق سراحه بعد أربع ساعات، ثم تم استقباله في اليوم التالي من قبل نائب رئيس الوزراء، وكان ذلك التحول نتيجة التفاعل الشعبي مع القضية الذي انعكس في اعتصام المتضامنين معه في مطار البحرين. وفي الوقت الذي اضطرت السلطة للتنازل عن القضية الأساسية ضد الشيخ سند، فقد تم اعتقال المتضامنين معه وتقديمهم للمحاكمة. رغم أن التهمة التي كانت موجهة للشيخ سند مبنية على واقعة لم ينكرها هو وتعتبر جناية وفقا لقانون العقوبات البحريني - الذي يتعارض بالطبع مع المعايير الدولية- في حين أن تهم التجمهر والإتلاف الموجهة للمتضامنين معه غير ثابتة وهي جنح وليست جنايات وفقا للقانون نفسه.

ثانيا: من بدأ المواجهة، وما هو حجم التخريب الفعلي: في اليوم التالي لحادثة المطار صرح المقدم ماهر أحمد بوعلي مدير مديرية شرطة مطار البحرين الدولي بأنه "إثر ضبط (خالد حميد منصور سند) المطلوب في قضية ماسة بالأمن الوطني، في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساء تجمع بعض الأشخاص داخل صالة الوصول بالمطار بلغ عددهم حوالي 100 فرد، وقاموا بإلقاء هتافات وإحداث الفوضى والإرباك بالصالة وهو ما دعا الشرطة إلى إنذارهم بالخروج من صالة المطار، ولما لم يمتثلوا تم التعامل معهم وإخراجهم من الصالة وتفريقهم، وفي هذه الأثناء قاموا بإحداث شغب وتكسير عدد من البوابات الرئيسية للمطار، وقد تمكنت الشرطة من السيطرة على الوضع وإعادة الهدوء إلى المكان، كما تمكنت من القبض على أربعة من مثيري الشغب والتخريب وسوف يتم اتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية اللازمة حيالهم وعرضهم على النيابة العامة للتحقيق معهم فيما نسب إليهم" (المصدر: أخبار الخليج 26 ديسمبر 2005)

من خلال التصريح الرسمي المذكور يتبين أن وزارة الداخلية قد ادعت بأن: عدد المتجمعين كان حوالي 100 شخص، وأن التكسير حدث بعد أن قامت الشرطة بإخراجهم من الصالة وتفريقهم بالقوة وليس قبل ذلك، وأن من تمكنت الشرطة من القبض عليهم كانوا أربعة أشخاص فقط، (حيث أن بقية المعتقلين تم اعتقالهم بعد ذلك بأيام).

* لقد قامت النيابة العامة بإصدار قرار الحبس بحق المشتبه بهم العشرين ومن ثم تقديمهم للمحاكمة بناء على شهادات رجال الأمن فقط ودون النظر في ظروف الحادث ودون الاستماع إلى أقوال مئات الشهود الذين كانوا في المطار.
* لم تحقق النيابة في الادعاءات باستخدام قوات الأمن للقوة بشكل مفرط ضد المتجمعين ومن بينهم المعتقلين أنفسهم رغم آثار الضرب الواضحة على أجسادهم

وإن ذلك يلقي بظلال ثقيلة على استقلالية النيابة العامة عن السلطة التنفيذية وحياديتها وتبعيتها المفترضة للقضاء.

ثالثا: تهمة التجمهر في المطار: يمنع المرسوم المتعلق بالاجتماعات والمواكب اجتماع أربعة أشخاص أو أكثر في مكان عام بدون إخطار مسبق، وهو قانون ينتهك أساسا المعايير الدولية لحقوق الإنسان. ورغم ذلك فإنه من المستغرب تطبيق هذا القانون على المتواجدين في المطار الدولي لاستقبال أو توديع أي شخص. ومن المثير للاستغراب أيضا انه قد ثم توجيه تهمة التجمهر لعشرين شخصا من بين حوالي مائة شخص تجمعوا في ذات القضية حسب بيان وزارة الداخلية (أكثر من 300 شخص حسب المصادر الصحافية). وبين هؤلاء عدد من رجال الدين والشخصيات المعروفة.

رابعا: لماذا مطار البحرين: اختارت السلطة القبض على الشيخ محمد سند في مطار البحرين، في حين كان هو قد أدلى بتصريحاته قبل ذلك بشهرين وهو في البحرين، وكان بالإمكان استدعائه قبل سفره أو بعد عودته لمنزله. وبناء على ذلك فإن السلطة تتحمل المسؤولية الأساسية في أن يحدث ما حدث في المطار وليس في مكان آخر. ولم يتم حتى الآن تقديم أي دليل لما شاع في وسائل الإعلام بأن هناك من خطط لاستهداف مطار البحرين .

خامسا: استخدام وسائل الإعلام ضد المتهمين: قامت السلطة بحملة إعلامية واسعة استغلت فيها سيطرتها على وسائل الإعلام، لتصوير ما حصل في المطار على أنه مؤامرة لاستهداف المطار كمنشأة أمنية، وقد تمثلت تلك الحملة في تصريحات رسمية من قبل كبار المسؤولين في الدولة، وطريقة صياغة الأخبار وإعداد البرامج في الإذاعة والتلفزيون، وتحقيقات ومقالات صحافية، ومقابلات وبيانات استنكار وشجب من الجمعيات السياسية والنواب الموالين للدولة. في حين امتنعت وسائل الإعلام عن نشر الوقائع وأقوال الشهود العيان، وتم حجب الآراء من جهة المتهمين أو الجهات المحايدة. ولذلك فقد كانت مفاجأة كبيرة للرأي العام الذي كان يسمع عن تخريب مبالغ فيه لمنشآت المطار عندما نشرت الصحف بأن لائحة الاتهام تضمنت بأن حجم التخريب في المطار لا يتجاوز كسر في واجهة زجاجية للمطار وبعض المقاعد بصالة القادمين بكلفة إجمالية قدرها مدير المطار 460 ديناراً (جريدة الوطن 8 يناير 2006). إن ذلك يكشف خطورة سيطرة السلطة على وسائل الإعلام وتأثيرها على سير العدالة، ويبين كيف أن المتهمين قد تم تجريمهما قبل تقديمهما للقضاة دون مراعاة المبدأ العام الذي يقضي بأن المتهم برئ حتى تثبت إدانته.

سادسا: التطويل المتعمد لفترة الحبس الاحتياطي: عندما تم تقديم المتهمين للمحاكمة بعد أكثر من 10 أيام من التوقيف، احتج المحامون لدى القضاة بعدم السماح لهم بمقابلة موكليهم، وعدم إطلاعهم على ملف الإدعاء، وطالبوا بإطلاق سراح المعتقلين أثناء سير المحاكمات، فاتخذ القضاة في المحاكم الثلاث التي قدم لها المتهمون قرار تأجيل القضية لمدة تتراوح بين 16 إلى 28 يوماً ليتاح للمحامين اللقاء بالمتهمين والإطلاع على ملف القضية، ولكنهم قرروا في ذات الوقت استمرار الحبس.

* لقد منعت النيابة العامة المتهمين من اللقاء بالمحامين قبل تقديمهم للمحاكمة، رغم أن ذلك من حقوقهم الأساسية منذ اليوم الأول للاعتقال ليس فقط وفقا للقوانين الدولية ولكن وفقاً للقوانين البحرينية أيضاً.
* أن النيابة العامة هي السبب في تأجيل المحاكمة، ولكن القضاة قرروا إبقاء المتهمين في السجن لمدة أطول رغم عدم تمكن القضاة من النظر الفعلي في القضية والاستماع للدفاع، وعدم وجود أية دواع لاستمرار الحبس أثناء فترة المحاكمة.
* أجمع القضاة في المحاكم الثلاث على قرار استمرار الحبس في فترة المحاكمة، مما يثير الشك بأن القرار كان سياسياً وقد تم اتخاذه بشكل سابق للمحاكمة ومن قبل جهة أخرى.

تفاصيل المحاكمات:

تم خلال يومي 7 و8 يناير الجاري عرض قضايا عشرين متهما أمام المحكمة الجنائية الصغرى بتهم المشاركة في التجمهر وإتلاف الممتلكات العامة. وقد تم تقييد دخول أهالي المتهمين لقاعات المحكمة، ولم يتمكن المتهمون من الاجتماع مع محاميهم قبل جلسات المحاكمة أو بعدها. كما تم منع الناشط الحقوقي نبيل رجب نائب رئيس مركز البحرين لحقوق الإنسان من الحضور لمراقبة الجلسات.

وكانت المحكمة الصغرى الجنائية الثانية قد قررت يوم 7 يناير استمرار حبس المجموعة الأولى المكونة من سبعة من المتهمين مع تأجيل النظر في القضية إلى 23 يناير الجاري للاستماع إلى شهود النفي ولإطلاع هيئة الدفاع على أوراق الدعوى، وهؤلاء المتهمون هم 1/ نادر إبراهيم عبدالامام، 32 عاماً، جدحفص، (عضو لجنة الدفاع عن النشطاء وسجناء الرأي) 2/ حسن عبدالنبي، 25 عاماً، سترة، (منسق لجنة العاطلين وكان قد تعرض للاعتداء والاختطاف سابقا من قوات الأمن) 3/ بدر أحمد الجزيري، 40 عاماً، الديه، 4/ ياسر خليفة، 31 عاماً، جدحفص، 5/ جواد عبدالله السلمان، 24 عاماً، جدحفص، 6/ حسن مجيد الجشي، 20 عاماً، المنامة، 7/ قاسم محمد خليل، 19 عاماً، كرزكان. وكان محامو المتهمين السبعة قد طالبوا أمس بإطلاق سراحهم، فيما طعن المحامي محمد المطوع في دستورية القضية وشيوع التهمة لوجود اكثر من200 شخص بالمطار خلال الأحداث.

وفي نفس اليوم قدم للمحاكمة أيضا المواطن محمد يوسف عبدالله السنكيس، مقابة، وكان قد تم الاعتداء عليه بالضرب واعتقاله من قبل قوات الأمن يوم 30 ديسمبر أثناء اعتصام للمطالبة بإطلاق سراح المعتقلين في هذه القضية. وقد قررت المحكمة إطلاق سراح المتهم بكفالة.

وفي اليوم التالي (8 يناير) تم تقديم 10 مواطنين في مجموعتين للمحاكمة في نفس قضية التجمهر في المطار وإتلاف الممتلكات العامة. وقد أجلت المحكمة الصغرى الجنائية الثانية إلى 30 يناير قضية ثلاثة من المتهمين وهم: 1/ محسن عبدالله السلمان، 23 عاماً، جدحفص، (وهو عضو إداري في لجنة العاطلين) 2/ حسن الحداد، 25 عاماً، المحرق، (ناشط مستقل) 3/ محمد حسن عاشور، 21 عاماً، كرزكان. في حين أجلت المحكمة الصغرى الجنائية الرابعة إلى 5 فبراير القادم قضية سبعة آخرين وهم: 1/ عاطف مهدي أحمد، الجفير، 2/ يوسف أحمد حسين، المعامير، (عضو في لجنة العاطلين) 3/ فخري عبدالله، السنابس، 4/ ناصر علي ناصر، 33 عاماً، رأس رمان، 5/ محمد مجيد الجشي، 24 عاماً، المنامة، 6/ إسماعيل حسن مكي، جدحفص، 7/ عبدالأمير مدن، 25 عاماً، المعامير. ولم تعتن المحكمة بطلب المحامين وأهالي المتهمين بالإفراج عن المتهمين، فقد مددت حبسهم على ذمة القضية.

كذلك فقد نادى قاضي المحكمة بأسماء متهمين آخرين قال بأن عليهم تسليم أنفسهم ليتم محاكمتهم في نفس القضية، وعرف من بين هؤلاء كل من: عبدالله زين (عضو في لجنة العاطلين)، علي قمبر، سيدعلي سيد مجيد.

For the record...

2006-01-01T11:09:00.000+03:00

From today's Gulf Daily News:

Society makes new Jaw visit

THE second of a series of independent inspections of Bahrain's detention facilities was carried out by Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) at Jaw prison yesterday.

The first visit was conducted last week and the findings of both visits are to be included in the society's Annual Human Rights Report.

A BHRS spokesman said the report would be released in two months, where the conditions of Bahrain prisons will be compared with international criteria drawn up by the UN.

During the two visits, a 15-member team interviewed about 70 prisoners as well as a number of administration staff and made general inspections of the facilities.

Jaw is said to have 550-plus prisoners and 400 security and administrative officials, including 96 with infectious diseases, including three Aids patients, who are kept in separate cellblocks away from other inmates.

Prisoners were asked questions regarding the facilities, cleanliness of toilets, food quality and prisoner treatment. The activists also asked prisoners about any use of violence against them and types of punishment used.

The BHRS is the first non-governmental organisation in the Arab world to visit and interview prisoners.

The society had earlier expressed hopes to conduct inspection visits on an annual basis and send its reports to international organisations concerned with human rights.

Light at the end of the tunnel..

2005-12-20T21:26:00.000+03:00

Ahmed is still held by the authorities for a crime they know he has not committed, while the real criminals are still at large, thanks to an injust and slow court system.

Ahmed's family is still suffering. His children are growing up, his parents are aging and all those who know and love him are aching. Ahmed's pain is the story of justice in Bahrain - even at this age of freedom and democracy.

The struggle we and all the decent people out there have put up to free Ahmed has been a very slow and painful process, one which may see light and unveil the criminal activities of the very people charged with upholding law in Bahrain.

To say that there are no longer political prisoners in Bahrain is a lie -- and Ahmed's imprisonment is testimony to the lies of a regime bent on breaking human rights conventions every step of the way.

Do you really want to know why Ahmed has been denied justice for so long? It was because his family didn't go to the powers that be and beg for forgiveness. Blinded by the lies that Bahrain has ushered in a new chapter of democracy and transperancy, Ahmed's family asked for justice.

If Ahmed has done wrong, punish him. If Ahmed has not done wrong, then punish the authorities who have broken human rights conventions and expose them. There was no arrest warrant. Ahmed was kidnapped by the authorities. He was not given access to a lawyer. He was denied his rights and confessions were extracted from him by force and under threat.

That was a hard bargain, and this is a bent government which cannot be challenged, let alone questioned by nobodys.

The price for asking questions - legitimate questions - is this: imprisonment and humiliation. They want you to acknowledge that your existence lies in their hands. That they are the givers and takers of life, that they are the Almighty, All Controlling. And this is not to be. People with dignity don't stoop that low - even if a dear one is to be held ransom by the authorities forever.

Ahmed's struggle is continuing. Ahmed's suffering may or may not be exposed to the world though. There is news in Bahrain that the tyrant authorities will allow human rights groups to visit prisons and speak to prisoners about their imprisonment conditions. As much as I am pleased with this development, I know and you know very well and the truth will never come out. Instead of visiting the Jaw prison only, human rights groups should fight to visit Bahrain's very own version of Guanatanmo - the CID headquarters in Adliya. That horror house is Farooq Al Maawda's private playground - where prisoners held under custody are routinely punished - just like during the days of the State Security Law.

I don't want to brag .. but it was Ahmed's outcry for justice and his hunger strike that prompted human rights activitists to call for a visit to prisons. And look at how long it took for the corrupt authorities to budge. Do they think that by delaying the prison visits for a year or two or three or even 10 will make people forget the atrocities being committed by the tormentors every day in a country government by law - if only such laws exist on paper?

These feelings of injustice grow in people like cancer.. and when it spreads throughout the body, it is too late to treat. People in Bahrain still live in fear. And fear is not a dignified way to live in what authorities claim is a democratic era.

But lay assured, their corruption will one day be exposed. Afterall, there should be light at the end of the tunnel.

Freedom? How dare you !

2005-06-17T01:40:00.000+03:00

Ahmed reappeared in court on June 13.

Like before, it was a farce. They hand-cuffed him and put him in a Jeep from the Adliya Guantanamo prison all the way to court in Diplomatic area where people were staring at him - some whom he knew who couldn't believe their eyes.

The point where one is ashamed in a country with no shame is long gone.

At court, one of the other suspects lawyer asked for an adjournment although the judge had earlier said that this will be the last trial and that he would issue a verdict.

Without hestitation, the honourable judge adjorned the session. The charade is over. The circus will pack up and return to the torture chambers of Adliya.

For the first time since Ahmed's arrest in May last year, Ahmed opened his mouth and said this wasn't fair. How long will this trial continue for? What did the judge do: He ordered Ahmed out of court.

This judge can take his verdict and stuff it up his @$$ for this is a court with no legitimicy as far as the decent people of Bahrain are concerned.

I am sorry for speaking on the behalf of Bahrainis for they are a nation with no pride and no shame to allow such a farce continue without raising an eye brow.

I sure am not proud to be a Bahraini and it will take a very long time to win back my loyalty and allegience to this joke of a nation.

case postponed

2005-06-04T14:37:00.000+03:00

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Ahmed's case was supposed to be heard today and has been adjourned today until further notice.

What can I say? What do you want me to tell you about Bahrain? About my home? My kingdom? My memories? My past?

Hopefully, it will soon not be my future because there is so much pain, injustice and innocent blood spilled, people crucified for no reason other than they are natives, unfulfilled dreams, shattered expectations and zero aspirations.

I used to think that people who spoke in this manner were unloyal to Bahrain. I used to look at them with suspicious eyes. I used to tell them they were traitors.

Now I know why they have simply given up on Bahrain. Now I can tell you why I have given up. Now I am ready to share with you why I am urging people to give up, pack up and leave.

People who speak up about injustice in my country, in my backyard and in my home are not traitors. The traitors are those who know how many atrocities are being committed everyday and are keeping quiet about them because they don't have Bahrain's interest at heart and only work to meet their petty selfish whims.

The officials who know what is happening and who brush away people's complaints about injustice are the traitors. They should be burned at the stake.

There should be a witch hunt - no that's too extreme - for the culprits who are tarnishing Bahrain's reputation by denying people their civil rights and breaking each and every single clause in the constitution everyday are known.

Forget Law 56. Forget the past. Let's turn a new page and fight fire with fire, for the murderers and torturers and traitors are still free and are still abusing their positions and throwing all the human rights conventions out of the window because they understand too well that they are way way above the law.

If you can't ask for justice from officials who broke the law before 2002, let's join hands and declare a war against the criminals in power today.

Shura Council members wake up

2005-05-24T09:08:00.000+03:00

Today's GDN made me laugh... I mean, what has the whole world been screaming for all those years: a just and legal legal system.
Yes, the people of Wonderland deserve a LEGAL legal system and not the haphazard one being run here by the mafia.
Read on...

"Training plan for judges
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
JUDGES and employees at the Public Prosecution could soon be sent for training at a specialist legal centre to be set up in Bahrain.
The plan was first unveiled by Justice Affairs Minister Dr Mohammed Al Sitri during a meeting with the Shura Council's legislative and legal affairs committee.
It was announced yesterday by committee secretary Abdulrahman Al Ghatam as Shura Council members discussed proposed changes to a law governing the country's judiciary.
"The minister has clearly said it is coming and we hope it will come soon," said Mr Al Ghatam.
Development
He added that the idea must first go to the Cabinet for approval before the centre can go ahead.
In addition, Mr Al Ghatam said the Justice Ministry is working on a study on Bahrain's judiciary, which it plans to present to the Shura Council and parliament.
Meanwhile, Shura Coun-cillors approved changes to the Bahrain judiciary submitted by member Dr Mansoor Al Arrayedh.
Dr Al Arrayedh said a new training centre is vital to enhance Bahrain's legal system.
He added that the current selection process for judges is not efficient and said existing judges are lacking in training.
"We want judges who are capable of handling everything," he said.
"The nature of court cases has changed and they are having to deal with new kinds of cases compared to before."
Dr Al Arrayedh said changes to the law are needed to ensure that it keeps pace with reforms initiated by His Majesty King Hamad.
"Cases are not simple like before and they will continue to get complicated - especially with the development of technology," he said, referring to the emergence of technology such as bluetooth.
"A judge who was able to handle cases before might not be able to handle these new cases."
Meanwhile, Shura Council second vice-chairman Man-sour Bin Rajab said Dr Al Arrayedh's proposals are in line with the government's vision.
"The judicial system needs development - everyone knows that," he said.
"Today's cases are not just related to immorality, decency or the judges' personal opinion.
"Continuous education and training is necessary in all fields - especially one in which important decisions are made based on evidence."

More on drugs in Wonderland

2005-05-24T09:00:00.000+03:00

I am sorry this blog seems to be the dumping place for the very little which appears on drugs and the corrupt judiciary system in Wonderland in the newspaper.. I am collecting it all here as an on-line archive... for the BOOK I am going to write about the Ahmeds in Wonderland.

This appeared in today's GDN:

349 arrested in drugs clamp
By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI
MANAMA
BAHRAIN police are waging a relentless campaign against drug dealers and users, a top official declared yesterday.
They arrested 349 people in drug-related cases in the first four months of this year, said CID acting director Brigadier Farook Al Maawada.
The Interior Ministry is determined to further intensify its operations to make it even more difficult for drug traffickers and dealers, he said.
Brig Al Maawada was speaking on the sidelines of the 19th meeting of GCC directors of drug-combating organisations, held at the Diplomat Radisson SAS.
They are expected to agree today on a list of recommendations aimed at further improving joint operations to combat drug trafficking in the region.
"Each country is proposing a number of recommendations aimed at further maintaining security in the Gulf, combating drug trafficking and dealing, exchanging information and raising awareness among young people," Brig Al Maawada told the GDN.
"Perhaps one of the most important topics discussed is the means of further strengthening official channels for the sharing of information for a rapid response in anti-drug operations."
He said other issues discussed covered joint training programmes to further upgrade the skills of drug-combating security authorities.
Brig Al Maawada announced earlier this month that police are setting up a 24-hour drugs hotline for people to report suspects.
Rewards are also on offer for people who help the police catch drug smugglers and dealers.
Drug-combating division director Major Tariq Al Nasser said that from January 1 to the end of April, Bahraini authorities arrested 349 people in 327 drug-related cases. "Out of them 341 were male," he told the GDN.
The meeting, chaired by Brig Al Maawada, also features an exhibition of photographs by GCC drug-combating organisations showcasing drug consignments seized and the methods used to smuggle drugs.
It also included a number of items, which drug traffickers used to smuggle drugs into GCC countries, including copies of the Quran and a child's doll.

Press coverage

2005-05-19T17:56:00.000+03:00

This article appeared in the Gulf Daily News in Bahrain, highlighting Ahmed's plight:

Here's the link:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/1yr_arc_Articles.asp?Article=111496&Sn=COMM&IssueID=28050

Here's the article:

Vol XXVIII NO. 50

Monday

9 May 2005

Delays destroying faith in justice system
By Les Horton
A little Bahraini girl celebrates her first birthday today with her family gathered around her, except for her father.
For he is in a Bahrain prison cell, where he has been since just before she was born, despite the fact that he has yet to be convicted of any crime.
This young father-of-two was arrested at the beginning of May last year on suspicion of drug-related offences and has repeatedly been remanded in custody after frequent adjournments by the court.
In many other countries the prosecution case would have been thrown out, or the defendant at least released on bail, the first time they asked for an adjournment because witnesses were not present, or because their investigations were not complete - but not here.
On Saturday this once hard-working young man, who held down a decent job and supported his young family, appeared once again in court and his case was put back for a further month, to allow for further police investigations.
Bail has been repeatedly refused, despite the fact that he has no previous criminal record, has a stable family home to go to and is highly unlikely to abscond.
His family are decent people and would be the first to agree that he should be punished if he has broken the law.
But they cannot understand why he has been kept in custody for so long when others who have faced far more serious charges have walked free on bail.
Their faith in the police and the judicial system has been destroyed, at a time when the Interior Ministry is calling for a new partnership with the community in the fight against crime.
Ironically, Bahrain goes before a United Nations committee in Geneva later this week to report on what it has done to meet its commitments under a human rights treaty to which it is a signatory.
One basic human right is the right to a fair and speedy trial and to be kept in custody for so long without that trial is surely an example of the"cruel and degrading treatment or punishment" outlawed by that same global treaty.
I am told that should this young man eventually be acquitted, or he if is convicted and his sentence is less than he has already served, he will be compensated at the rate of BD5 a day.
But, as one of his sisters says, he will never recover from an experience which has already cost him his livelihood and brought him to the brink of total mental breakdown. Nor will his family ever recover the trust they once had in the authorities responsible for justice in this country.

Happy Birthday Ahmed !

2005-05-07T15:04:00.000+03:00

Ahmed celebratesa YEAR - yes 365 days- behind bars today.

Last year, he was kidnapped by the Hashish smugglers at the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Bahrain, who wanted a scapegoat for their criminal activities.

Unbeknown to us at the time, Bahrain is the official Kingdom of Hashish! Because there is so much hashish and so few people arrested, they started a new campaign to round up idiots, terrorise them and make them admit to crimes, in the hope that they would be set free.

Now the Shia boys of Bahrain are terrified by the police. See how they react when a policeman stops any one of them on the street. The Bahraini police have been terrorising Bahranis for generations and continue to do so.

Any Bahrani caught by the police is in serious shit. He would admit to incest, fucking goats, pissing on the potrait of ....., burning the ..., in fact, anything, just to get out of their shackles.

This sad state of affairs continue in this place, despite promises of a better tomorrow and the sweet smell of democracy. All that we have today is empty promises, bitterness and the smell of sweat and dirt from a whole year in a dirty smelly cell run by mercenaries from Syria, Muharraq, Jordan, Riffa, Budaiya, Pakistan and Balucistan. The only thing which brings those specimens together is their despise to Bahraini people.

To celebrate this anniversary, Ahmed appeared hand-cuffed in court today for another charade in a kingdom with NO respect for human rights, in a court which have more credibility if it were run by Mickey Mouse.

In line with the constitution, which stipulates that the accused is guilty until proven innocent, Ahmed was returned to his cell, until the CID and Public Prosecutor continue putting a case against him.

Let me recap, Ahmed has been in prison for a whole year awaiting justice. Ahmed has been in prison for 365 days, and those retards are still working on the case. Also, for the umpteenth time, the CID witnesses failed to turn up to testify in the case, which has been adjourned to June 4.

While Ahmed has been rotting in his cell, the terror suspects have been put on trial and released, Khawaja who has called the Prime Minister names put on trial and released, the Internet trio released on bail and are awaiting trial and people who smuggled more than 300kg of Hashish released on bail and are continuing with their roaring business, with support from the police.

Excuse me...in a place where the police know that the police are drug cartels, in a small country where everyone knows what everyone else is up to, why is Ahmed being denied access to a fair and just trial?

What are theh police covering up? Why are they subjecting Ahmed to torture? Why are they still refusing human rights activists access to the Guantamano branch in Adliya? Why? Why are the top officials, who all know about the abuse Ahmed is being subjected to, quiet? Why are his captors still free to abuse their powers and terrorise Bahraini youth?

What is really happening in the Kingdom of Hashish? Is everyone so dopy, they can't see what's happening behind the haze?

Read this! Bahrain, the kingdom of hashish!

2005-05-01T15:18:00.000+03:00

From Vol XXVIII NO. 38 Wednesday 27 April 2005 of the Gulf Daily news:

Drug abuse shock as campaign launched
By ABDULRAHMAN FAKHRI

MORE THAN 26 per cent of Bahraini youngsters are taking illegal drugs, out of which 27pc are aged 15 to 18, a survey has revealed.

The majority of the youngsters take hashish, making up 56.19pc of those surveyed, while 62pc admitted to taking mind-altering pills, 10.48pc to heroin and 8.57pc to cocaine.

The survey was revealed at a ceremony, marking the launch of a nationwide anti-drugs campaign, held last night at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The BD40,000, 10-day campaign is spearheaded by the General Organisation for Youth and Sports and features seminars, exhibitions and sports tournaments to be held at various venues.

The survey, supervised by organising committee member Dana Al Zayani, contains responses on various drug-related questions by 500 Bahrainis, aged 15 to 30.

Questionnaires were distributed to universities, public and private schools and youth clubs, comprising 60pc male and 40pc female.

Around 41pc of them said that they had met an addict and 16pc had friends who are addicts.

Out of those surveyed, 39.89pc said that they got drugs from friends, 16.60pc said from expatriates living in Bahrain and 9.18pc said while travelling abroad.

According to figures also revealed at the ceremony, the number of people who died due to a drug overdose rose from 34 in 2003 to 55 last year.

Statistics showed that security authorities seized 810kg of drugs last year, while the number of people arrested was 826 male and 11 females.

Goys president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, addressing the ceremony, said that the campaign is being launched at a time when the drug addiction problem is increasing.

He said that the most targeted section of society by drug dealers is the youth.

"This campaign aims at upgrading the knowledge of Bahraini youngsters on the dangers of drugs on their lives."

Interior Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Daij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that the ministry was exerting efforts to reduce drug-related crimes. (OH PLEASE!!!! Couldn't help it!!)

"It has recently contributed in a new draft law related to drug trafficking," he said, adding that the new law stipulated that a national anti-drugs committee would be set up comprising representatives from the relevant government organisations.

The event also featured a song, entitled My Life is Lost, performed by Bahraini artistes Adel Mahmood and Hamad Al Jabri.

The song, written specially for the campaign, is a dialogue between a drug addict and a friend trying to give him advice and guidance.

Awards were also presented by Shaikh Fawaz to sponsors of the campaign, including CrediMax, Seef Mall, National Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Credit, Bahraini Kuwaiti Insurance Company and Banagas.

Today's events will include a lecture at Al Hekma International School by guest speakers visiting Bahrain to promote the campaign.

They include Egyptian actor Hussain Fahmi, Saudi drug addiction treatment specialist Yousef Al Saleh, who is a former addict, United Nations Fight Against Drug Crimes director Faisal Al Hijazi, Bahraini singer Adel Mahmood and Dubai police Commander Dhahi bin Khalfan Bin Tameem.

They will also take part at a discussion forum, which will be open to the public at 8pm at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

An exhibition will also be held today at Seef Mall, in co-operation with the Interior Ministry and Bahrain International Hospital.

It will feature free medical tests, awareness campaign posters and photographs, screening of documentaries, explanations by police on drug dealing methods and various materials targeting parents.

Reform the Judiciary

2005-05-01T12:41:00.000+03:00

This appeared in the Gulf daily news on Saturday 23 April 2005:

SPEEDY TRIALS
MANAMA

MANAMA: Bahrain has unveiled an ambitious plan to completely overhaul its judicial system, including new courts to ensure speedy trials. "The plan is to rebuild the system to be more in line with sweeping local and international developments," Justice Minister Dr Mohammed Al Sitri said.

"The entire legal framework is being reviewed, particularly judicial and prosecution procedures," he said.

A comprehensive report on suggested legal amendments will then be submitted to the Cabinet, to be later forwarded to Parliament.

Subpoena procedures and enforcement of court verdicts were also being reviewed, with plans to take tough measures in co-ordination with the Interior Ministry.

"We are keen to expedite the settlement of trade disputes to create an investment friendly environment and preserve individual rights," he said in response to a question submitted by Shura Council member Abdulhussain Bu Hussain on the ministry's development schemes.

Dr Al Sitri also revealed that a project to promote Sharia Courts' proceedings had been submitted to the Cabinet.

There are also plans to set up new courts to ensure speedy trials, particularly those involving minors and traffic violations.

A feasibility study on a planned institute of judicial and legal studies and researches will also be submitted to the Cabinet soon.

A series of training courses will also be held for the Justice Ministry staff, including under-secretaries, assistant under-secretaries, directors, judges and employees.

--------------------

Burning question:
What's to reform? Nuke the damned place up!

Ahmed's Case Update

2005-04-03T14:06:00.000+03:00

Ahmed continues to rot at the Adliya Criminal Investigation Department prison. It has been almost a YEAR since Ahmed has been kidnapped from outside his Muharraq home.

Ahmed is still being denied justice. He appeared in court again today and the judge, Abdulrahman Al Sayed, again threw the case out and asked them to reappear on May 7 because the CID witnesses lawyer Fatima Al Hawaj wants for one of her clients involved in the case did not turn up AGAIN.

This means that Ahmed will continue to be treated as guilty until proven innocent in a kingdom which prides itself of being a democracy.

Why is Ahmed being denied justice? What criteria did Judge Al Sayed use when he released people accused of smuggling 350kg of Hashish into Bahrain on bail? Why is he holding Ahmed indefinitely without access to a fair and just trial when he wasn't caught with anything on him and when the real culprit is already behind bars? What does a corrupt judicial system want to prove?

WHO IS TRYING TO SABOTAGE BAHRAIN'S REFORMS PROCESS and WHY?

Bahrain..the Kingdom of Hashish!

2005-03-06T10:49:00.000+03:00

According to Bahrain Tribune, Bahrain is the the #1 Kingdom of Hashish in the world. Here's the news:

Over 100 times rise in hashish haul registered

Over a hundred times rise in hashish haul in the Kingdom has been registered, writes Mohannad Suleiman.
Authorities last year seized a record of 800kg of hashish compared with only seven kilogrammes in 2003. They also seized 3,784,740 pills of amphetamine, up from a mere 134 in 2003.

The surge in the figures seems to co-relate with the increase in the number of drug offence cases processed in 2004, which reached 748, more than double of the 331 cases in 2003.

According to the head of Narcotics, Major Tariq Nasser, 55 people died from illegal drugs, while a total of 837 people (826 men and 11 women) were involved in related cases.

“Our division seized 800 kilos of hashish, 9,581 grammes of heroin, 21 grammes of marijuana, 26 grammes of qat, 53 grammes of opium and 5 grammes of cocaine,” Maj. Tariq said. According to the Ministry of Interior officer, 233 drug cases were discovered inside Bahrain, while 468 were at the King Fahad Causeway, 45 at Bahrain Airport and two at the sea.

He said that 325 Bahraini nationals were involved in the cases, compared with 454 from the other five GCC states, 12 from Arab states and 46 from other countries.

Free Ahmed Archives

2005-03-06T10:22:00.000+03:00

Free Ahmed Archives can be accessed here