Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS expresses deep concern about recent attempts to isolate and silence imprisoned Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab. He has been secluded since 13 May after he communicated to his wife over the phone that he had witnessed the savage torture of 8 young political activists by officers at Jaw prison in Manama.
After unsuccessful attempts to communicate with Nabeel for a week, his wife paid him a visit at Jaw Prison on 20 May where he informed her that the authorities were intent on gagging him after he and two prisoners witnessed foreign police officers brutally torture young political activists. Nabeel Rajab is one of Bahrain's most prolific pro-democracy activists. He is presently serving a two-year jail term for using twitter to allegedly "insult" the Bahraini regime.
CIVICUS urges the attention of the international community on the following issues:
- Since the start of pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in February 2011, Nabeel and scores of other human rights defenders have had to face multiple instances of judicial and physical harassment. Many of them have been convicted on the basis of unfair trials including by military courts. They continue to be denied due process and medical access in prison.
- The Bahraini government continues to criminalise gatherings of more than five persons on grounds of undermining of public security. Additionally, the authorities have sped up their crackdown on online activists and bloggers. On 15 May 2013, five online activists and bloggers were tried separately for "criticising the king of Bahrain" on twitter and "misusing the right of free expression."
- Worryingly, Bahrain has postponed for the second time, the impending visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, and other Inhuman or Degrading Treatment which was scheduled to take place from 8-15 May 2013. No alternative dates or a future roadmap has been proposed by the government.
- Bahraini activists who have raised concerns about the human rights situation in the country at international forums including the UN Human Rights Council have had to face severe reprisals at home.
CIVICUS urges the Government of Bahrain to immediately investigate the status and wellbeing of the young political activists at Jaw prison and stop the unwarranted torture and judicial harassment of human rights defenders in violation of international law.
David Kode, Policy and Advocacy Officer at CIVICUS said:
"Bahrain's authorities are openly and flagrantly violating international human rights norms. Through their unwillingness to adhere to international law they are demonstrating that they are a rogue regime worthy of the strongest diplomatic censure by the international community."