CIHRS: Crackdown on Human Rights Defenders Sweeps Arab Region
 

16-12-11 09:00 AM

Seeds of Repression Planted in Year of Revolution
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December 14th, 2011
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) hails the courageous work of the many human rights defenders in the Arab region who were – and still are – one of the locomotives for change. 2011 has been marked as a year of hope instigated by the Arab uprisings which called for more freedoms and liberties and an end to corruption and human rights violations. Yet this year of revolution is ending with looming consequences for Arab human rights defenders across the region who, as a result of their work, continue to be subjected to unchecked attacks and repression.

Tactics such as arbitrary arrests and detention based on trumped-up charges continue to be wielded against activists, bloggers, and rights defenders. Accusations such as “conspiracy against the state with foreign powers,” “insulting top officials,” “disturbance of public peace” and “involvement in terrorist activity” are among the now-famous charges often used to silence opposing voices and those demanding respect for human life and dignity. 2011 has been characterized by massive reprisals against human rights defenders, including detentions and trials, arbitrary arrests, torture and other forms of physical abuse, house and office raids, confiscation of belongings, and restrictions on their freedom of movement. The past month alone has witnessed a massive crackdown on several prominent activists and organizations across the region.

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In Bahrain, and as the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry outlines major human rights violations committed against peaceful protesters and those who supported them during mass demonstrations earlier this year, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and Front Line Defenders Middle East coordinator remains in detention since his arrest on April 9, 2011, and after he was sentenced to life in prison by an exceptional tribunal based on trumped-up charges of terrorist activity. He was severely tortured and threatened with rape while in detention. Abdulghani Khanjar, the head of the Committee of Victims of Torture, and recognized blogger Ali Adulemam, were also sentenced to 15 years in prison and life imprisonment respectively on similar charges. Both defenders are currently in hiding.

Additional forms of intimidation against human rights defenders in Bahrain include an ongoing intimidation and smear campaign and death threats by ex-state security official, known for his connection with the government, against Nabeel Rajab, president of BCHR, Mohamed Al Maskati, president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and Youssef Al Mahafdha, board member of the BCHR. The three defenders are among the few remaining advocates of human rights and freedoms insideBahrain.

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