Bahrain
BHR 2/2017
JUA
17 Feb 2017
Mandates: Arbitrary Detention, Disability, Freedom of opinion and expression, Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Human rights defenders, Torture
Information received concerning the arbitrary arrest and detention of six individuals, including one person with an intellectual disability and two minors, for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
“We express grave concern at the allegations of torture and ill-treatment of six individuals [Mr. Ali Hassan Ali Matrouk Al Durazi (20), Mr. FULL NAME REDACTED (16), Mr. FULL NAME REDACTED (17), Mr. Nader Abdulkarim Ahmad Al Jamri (18), Mr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Ahmed Al Jamri (20) and Mr. Kumail Ahmed Youssef Hamida, (18, with intellectual disabilities)] while in police custody and in detention. We express equal concern at their alleged arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as the charges brought against them. Grave concern is moreover expressed at the physical and mental integrity of the six individuals, in particular concerning the consequent deterioration of their health status while in detention, which may require access to specialized medical services. We are particularly concerned at Mr. Kumail Ahmed Youssef Hamida’s situation and about the situation of the two minors. We are concerned that the measures taken by the authorities… appear to be directly related to their activities directed at the promotion of human rights and democratic principles in Bahrain and represent a criminalization of the exercise of the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We are finally concerned that these allegations appear amid mounting pressure exerted over civil society actors and the general crackdown on protestors and dissidents in Bahrain.”
BHR 1/2017
JUA
19 Jan 2017
Mandates: Executions, Torture
Information received concerning the execution of Abbas al-Samea, Sami Mushaima, and Ali Abdulshaheed Yousef al-Singace; and the imminent execution of Mohammad Ramadan and Hussein Moosa.
“We express our grave concern at the execution of Mr. Abbas al-Samea, Mr. Sami Mushaima, and Mr. Ali al-Singace; and the possible imminent execution of Mr. Mohammad Ramadan and Mr. Hussein Moosa, which if carried out would be in contravention with international human rights law. We express further concern about the death penalty carried out against Mr. al-Singace, who at the time of the alleged crimes was believed to have been under 18 years old. We also express serious concern that all the death sentences imposed on the 3 aforementioned individuals may be in contravention of international standards, especially the stringent respect of due process and fair trial guarantees in cases where the death penalty may be imposed, particularly in connection with the use of false confessions extracted under torture as a basis for the ruling.”
“In view of the irreversibility of the punishment of the death penalty, we urge your Excellency’s Government to take all steps necessary to halt the execution of Mr. Mohammad Ramadan and Mr. Hussein Moosa, which if carried out, would be inconsistent with standards of international human rights law. We further appeal to your Excellency’s Government to annul the death sentence against the aforementioned individuals and to ensure a re-trial in compliance with international standards. We also call your Excellency’s Government to establish an official moratorium on death penalty, and to consider its complete abolition.”
BHR 8/2016
JAL
12 Dec 2016
Mandates: Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Health, Human rights defenders, Violence against women, Women in law and in practice
Information received concerning allegations of continuous detention and judicial proceedings against a woman human rights defender which appear to be related to her legitimate human rights activities and represent criminalization of the exercise of her right to freedom of expression, including on the Internet.
“Serious concern is expressed at the repeated arrests and continued detention of Ms. Ghada Jamsheer, which appears to be motivated by her legitimate human rights activities and exercise of her rights to freedom of expression on the Internet. We express equal concerns at the continued persecution and legal proceedings, including the use of travel ban against Ms. Jamsheer, which seem to be aimed at silencing and intimidating this woman human rights defender. We also express concerns about the broader implications of these actions which impacts the general public’s right to access, share and impart information and to actively participate in debates about issues of public interest.”
“Further concerns are expressed at the worsening health of Ms. Jamsheer whilst in detention, given her health condition requiring specialized care and the reported lack of access to such care. We reiterate our concerns at the disproportionate restrictions placed on Ms. Jamsheer’s right to freedom of expression and association through the general ban in force since 2005 against her writing in national media and the blocking of her online blog since 2009.”
Saudi Arabia
SAU 2/2017
JUA
20 Feb 2017
Mandates: Arbitrary detention, Freedom of opinion and expression, Human Rights Defenders, Poverty
Information received concerning the recent arrest and detention of Mr. Issa Al Nukheifi, which seems directly linked to his activities aimed at defending and promoting human rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
“…we are deeply concerned about his arrest and detention, which appear to be in contravention of the right not to be deprived arbitrarily of liberty, as set forth in article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the right to fair proceedings before an independent and impartial tribunal, as set forth in article 10, UDHR. We also express serious concern that these measures appear to be directly connected to the legitimate exercise of Mr. Al Nukheifi’s right to freedom of opinion and expression, guaranteed under article 19, UDHR. This right entails ‘freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media’, and cannot be restricted unless the high treshold of article 19 is met, that is, be provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to respect the rights of others or to protect the ‘morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society’”
“Furthermore, given that Mr. Al Nukheifi’s was consulted in the course of preparations for the mission of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, we are also concerned that his arrest may have occurred, at least in part, in reprisal for his cooperation with the Special Rapporteur.”
SAU 1/2017
JUA
09 Feb 2017
Mandates: Arbitrary Detention, Freedom of opinion and expression, Human Rights Defenders, Torture
Information received concerning the alleged incommunicado and arbitrary detention of Mr. Imam Hasan Taha Al-Waleed and Mr. Mohammad Sayyed Ahmad Al-Qasem, Sudanese nationals and human rights defenders, who are at the risk of torture and ill-treatment, as well as the alleged arbitrary detention of Mr. Essam Koshak, a Saudi national and human rights defender.
“Serious concern is expressed about the arrest and incommunicado detention of Mr. Al-Waleed and Mr. Al-Qasem, which place them at risk for ill-treatment. We express equal concern at the arrest and detention of Mr. Koshak, which appears to be directly linked to his human rights activities and which criminalizes his legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Grave concern is equally expressed at the detention of human rights defender Mr. Koshak and the fact that his detention seems to be directly linked to his activities aimed at human rights protection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his activism on social media networks.”
“We express general concern about the alarmingly high number of allegations we have received recently concerning arbitrary detention and criminalization of prominent human rights defenders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including repeated attempts to limit and sanction the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, especially through online activism and the use of social media to discuss human rights related issues.”
SAU 8/2016
JUA
13 Dec 2016
Mandates: Freedom of opinion and expression, Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Human Rights Defenders
Information received concerning the alleged arbitrary investigations and prosecutions of three human rights defenders, Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al Otaibi, Mr. Abdullah Moudhi Saad Al Atawi and Mr. Issa Al-Hamid, for activities aimed at defending and promoting human rights through the exercise of their right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, as well as through the cooperation with international organizations.
“Serious concerns are expressed at the new investigations against these human rights defenders, which appear to be directly linked to their human rights work and exercise of their fundamental rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression.”
“We further express serious concern at the charges brought against the abovementioned human rights defenders for communicating with international organizations, which appear to also constitute acts of reprisal for cooperating with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.”
“We also express serious concern at the prosecution of these human rights defenders in the Specialized Criminal Court, which was established to try cases of terrorism. In that context, we express concern at the allegations of serious due process violations in this court. We reiterate our concerns at the criminalization of the right to freedom of expression through the use of criminal charges that are incompatible with international human rights standards.”
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