Bahrain: Arbitrary arrest / fear of torture: Muhammad Ja'far al-Ma'raj, 'Abd al-'Ali Jassim (32), 'Ali Yusif Hassan (25), 'Abd al-Hussein Hussein Ma'raj Mal Allah (28), 'Ali Fallah 'Abdullah (21)
AI has learned that the above named people were arrested between 29 June 1995 and 2 July 1995. AI fears that they may be at risk of torture in incommunicado detention. All five arrests were reportedly carried out by the security police and the riot police between 2 and 3am; the men were allegedly beaten and handcuffed and had their homes searched before being taken into custody. Their current whereabouts are unknown. Reports indicated that the five men may have been arrested for campaining on behalf of people arrested in connection with "pro-democracy" demonstrations and for helping the families of those detained. If this is the case, AI will consider them to be prisoners of conscience.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: MDE 11/14/95
Distr: UA/SC
UA 164/95 Arbitrary Arrest / Fear of Torture 7 July 1995
BAHRAIN Muhammad Ja'far al-Ma'raj
'Abd al-'Ali Jassim (aged 32)
'Ali Yusif Hassan (aged 25)
'Abd al-Hussein Hussein Ma'raj Mal Allah (aged 28)
'Ali Fallah 'Abdullah (aged 21)
Amnesty International has received reports that Muhammad Ja'far al-Ma'raj,
'Ali Yusif Hassan 'Abd al-'Ali Jassim, 'Abd al-Hussein Hussein Ma'raj Mal Allah
and 'Ali Fallah 'Abdullah were arrested between 29 June and 2 July 1995 and
fears that all five men may be at serious risk of torture or ill-treatment.
Muhammad Ja'far al-Ma'raj was arrested at his home in al-Qur'ya on 29 June
1995. 'Ali Yusif Hassan and 'Ali Fallah 'Abdullah who are also from al-Qur'ya
were arrested at their homes on 30 June. On 2 July, 'Abd al-'Ali Jassim was
arrested at his home in Jidd Haffs and 'Abd al-Hussein Hussein Ma'raj Mal Allah
was arrested at his home in Nuwaidrat. All five arrests were reportedly carried
out by the security police and the riot police between the hours of 2 and 3am.
The men were allegedly beaten in front of their families and handcuffed and
had their homes searched before being taken into custody. Their current
whereabouts are unknown and Amnesty International fears that they may be
subjected to further ill-treatment or torture.
Amnesty International does not know the precise reasons for their arrest.
However, reports received indicate that the five men may have been arrested
for campaigning on behalf of prisoners arrested in connection with
"pro-democracy" demonstrations, which have been taking place in Bahrain since
December 1994, and for helping the families of those detained. If this is
true, Amnesty International would consider them prisoners of conscience.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Widespread arrests have taken place in Bahrain since early December 1994, as
security forces have attempted to crush a popular "pro-democracy" movement.
Demonstrators have been calling on the government to reconvene the National
Assembly (dissolved by the Amir in 1975) to respect the provisions of the
country's 1973 Constitution and to release all political detainees. Most of
the detainees have been held incommunicado and Amnesty International has
received numerous reports of torture and other ill-treatment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in English or in your own language:
- seeking information about the reasons for the arrest of Muhammad Ja'far
al-Ma'raj,'Abd al-'Ali Jassim,'Ali Yusif Hassan,'Abd al-Hussein Hussein Ma'raj
Mal Allah and 'Ali Fallah 'Abdullah and details of any charges to be brought
against them;
- requesting information on their whereabouts, seeking assurances that they
are being humanely treated and urging that they be granted immediate access
to lawyers, relatives and independent doctors in accordance with international
standards;
- seeking assurances that all detainees arrested since December 1994 are being
treated humanely in accordance with international standards, urging that their
whereabouts be made known to their families and urging that they be granted
immediate access to their relatives, lawyers and independent doctors;
2
- urging the prompt release of all those arrested since December 1994 unless
they are to be charged with a recognizable criminal offence.
APPEALS TO:
The Amir
His Highness Shaikh 'Issa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Office of His Highness the Amir
PO Box 555
The Amiri Court
Rifa'a Palace, Bahrain
Telexes: 8666 Qasar BN; 8500 Qasar BN
Telegrams: His Highness the Amir, al-Manama, Bahrain
Faxes: +973 668884
Salutation: Your Highness
Minister of Interior
His Excellency
Shaikh Muhammad Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
Minister of Interior
PO Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9572 PSMKT BN or 7889 PMPO BN
Telegrams: Minister of Interior, al-Manama, Bahrain
Faxes: +973 276765
Salutation: Your Excellency
Prime Minister
His Excellency
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
PO Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain
Telexes: 9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: to diplomatic representatives of Bahrain accredited
to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 18 August 1995.