“Towards Intensifying the Change Movement in Bahrain while Reducing the Risk to Lives and Safety of Humans”

By the imprisoned human rights defender: Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

20 Feb 2013

Responses to the questions and objections related to the draft initiative: “Towards Intensifying the Change Movement in Bahrain while Reducing the Risk to Lives and Safety of Humans” While in prison – and despite the difficulty of communication – I received a number of questions, objections and comments. I will attempt to respond and make some clarifications, in order to impel further discussion of this initiative which I hope will be adopted by human rights activists in Bahrain, and supported by the parties concerned with the initiative, in order to achieve the main aim and which is escalating the pursuit of legitimate popular demands, while reducing the risk to lives and safety of individuals.

Read the first draft of the initiative: “Towards Intensifying the Change Movement in Bahrain while Reducing the Risk to Lives and Safety of Humans”

Summary of some of the queries and objections:

- The draft, and especially in the introduction, was written in pure human rights terminology, and some of the points were brief and lacked clarification of why they were raised or their relation to the subject of the initiative.

- In two conflicting queries: the first question: Is the wording of this draft not considered as if labelling the revolution and popular movement as violent. On the other hand, the other question: why does the draft not explicitly condemn violence?

- How can this regime be confronted, only by protests and peaceful activities? Especially in the light of the regime’s policy of entirely restricting freedoms, and suppressing peaceful activities and targeting its organizers.

- Does this initiative not give priority to those who push towards accepting the regime…at the expense of those who call for the overthrow and change of the regime, which is the demand raised by a large portion of the masses of this revolution, especially after all the crimes and violations committed by the regime?

- What are the mechanisms of implementing this initiative if it receives acceptance and support? What is the action plan and timeline to implement it? On the other hand…what if the Authority does not respond to this initiative, what is the point of it?

Answers and comments:

1. The legitimacy of the revolution and the rebellion against tyranny, injustice, and existing laws and regulations: the draft initiative included a text from the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, that one is eventually forced to rebel against tyranny and injustice, if human rights are not protected by law. This text does not only give reasons for rebellion but goes as far as giving it legitimacy. In the same context…Article 21 of the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” states that an individual when practicing his or her rights and liberties is only subjected to restrictions recognized by law in a democratic society. This means that the laws in the non-democratic countries, related to rights and liberties, are not legitimate. Hence, the international conventions for human rights legitimize the rebellion against tyranny and injustice, and the laws that conflict human rights which have not been issued in a democratic manner.

2. The importance of rights related to the three fundamental liberties: expression, assembly and organization: the draft focused on the major importance of these rights, it did not only raise these demands as legitimate demands that must be achieved and that in no way can be waived, but it embraced them as vital and essential means to continue the revolution and make it succeed in achieving its goals. Therefore, the draft included that those taking part in the popular protest movement… “will not give up, under any circumstance, practicing their rights in expression, assembling, demonstration and association and peaceful gathering, not only because they are convinced that they are their fundamental rights, but considering that they are the only available method to resist the tyranny and suppression of the Authority” Consequently, these rights may not be compromised in any political dialogue or negotiations, even if it was in return for obtaining other rights such as releasing detainees.

3. Fundamental rights: although the proposed initiative does not target providing a political initiative, it reviews a summary of the political in order to contribute in forming a common vision for those partaking in the revolution. Reviewing the political rights exposes the existing regime and shows its flaws and its lack of true democracy, which also contributes in the legitimacy of the rebellion against it. The draft summed up the political rights: 1. the right of people to decide in utter freedom the form of their political entity, and 2. the right of each individual to participate in managing public affairs of his or her country and 3. the equal rights of individuals with others in holding public posts and 4. no authority of any government without the people’s will, that will that is expressed through fair and periodic elections, based on equality among everyone. These rights determine the basic specifications of a democratic and legitimate political regime.

4. The right to life: The international laws do not permit depriving any individual from the right to live …the right to rebellion and disobedience is controlled by the rights of others, especially the right to life and safety. Committing to these rights is primarily mandatory for governments – as they are the ones that possess the means of oppression and punishment, this does not exempt the revolutionaries from their duty to spare bloodshed whenever possible. The popular movement in Bahrain has more or less been characterized as peaceful and self-controlled, while the Authority has used violence and brutal suppression. However, continuing the political and security tension in its existing form could lead in any moment to the outbreak of mutual violence that could claim the lives of many, as is happening in other countries in the regions.

The Authority is responsible for this, yet the popular movement is not exempted from making every effort to avoid it, without compromising the continuity of the popular movement and its effectiveness in achieving the legitimate goals. If the Authority does not mind sacrificing the lives and safety of people in an attempt to serve their self interest and their stay in power, the revolutionaries however are keen on and dedicated to protecting the lives of others, even if it were their enemies. Moreover, the principles of civil resistance are based on the willingness of the revolutionary to sacrifice his or her life in order to preserve the lives and rights of others.

5. Who is responsible for the violence, polarization and extremism: in addition to what was stated in the Universal Declaration that the general cause for rebellion is tyranny, injustice and unjust laws, the draft initiative cited the “Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI)”, the BICI said that the Authority’s failure to respond to the peoples demand for reform in the first stages of the demonstrations and protests is the reason behind raising the ceiling of demands to: “overthrow of the regime". Hence, the Authority takes full responsibility for the outcome of the situation. The draft then introduces the regime’s failure to seriously and effectively implement the BICI recommendations, as well as the demands of the human rights organizations and international community. Accordingly, impunity continued; the judicial system or security apparatuses were not reformed, nor were the public liberties granted, the detainees were not released either, and its continued practices continued to cause more killings, more detentions, and more unjust trials, and thus the regime bears the primary and major responsibility for all that happened and all that can happen from dangerous developments in the security situation, which makes it lose more of its legitimacy. The regime’s persistence in its policy could lead to stimulating counter-violence and the popular movement turning into violent clashes that could cause large numbers of deaths, and other damages.

6. The necessity of presenting such an initiative comes after analysing the current and expected political and security situation in the near future. The draft initiative indicates that the current situation in Bahrain reveals a political paralysis, and the lack of a ground for real immediate solutions for the crisis, which warns of an aggravating security situation and that threatens of a more critical situation. Consequently, continuing the current situation may linger, that’s why efforts must be made to avoid the worst.

7. The relation between public liberties and violence: the general direction of the popular movement in Bahrain is peaceful protest and non-violent civil resistance. It has been proven from the experience of other nations that providing the minimum liberties of expression and assembly is a prerequisite for the popular movement to maintain its peaceful approach. In addition to that, is the need for at least the minimum of independence of the judiciary, and the international sympathy and attention of the media. This is clearly reflected in the experiences of Mahatma Gandhi against the government of the British Crown, as well as the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. against the American Authorities and the racist laws and regulations. What happened dozens of times in both experiences, is that each time there was an increase in restricting and suppressing the three liberties it caused the outbreak of violence. As for the South African experience, Nelson Mandela – winner of world appreciation and peace awards – when he failed as a lawyer and political activist in putting an end to racial injustice and oppression through political work and peaceful protest, he himself established a military wing for his political organization which turned into covert action and armed struggle.

8. Mechanisms and stages of implementing the initiative and its timeline:

a. The draft initiative supposes that granting public liberties and withdrawing the Special Security Forces, and ending arbitrary arrests and unjust trials will automatically lead to guaranteeing the continuity of the popular movement’s peaceful approach, and reducing the likelihood of the outbreak of violence in future. The draft also points out that the Special Security Forces are the ones that suppress peaceful gatherings, they are the ones that cause the largest number of deaths and injuries among protestors. Withdrawing these Forces and replacing them with regular police, will not only be an indication of launching liberties, but it will be an elimination of a main source of violence and provoking of counter-violence which can escalate seriously.

b. Lifting the restrictions from liberties, and withdrawing the Special Forces is the direct responsibility of the Authority, if not implemented the Authority holds full responsibility not only for the violence and killing carried out by those Forces, but also for any escalation in counter violence in the coming period.

c. Although the Authority bears the responsibility of urgently implementing the BICI recommendations and the pledges it made to the international community – which will directly influence reducing the possibility of an outbreak of violence, the real implementation will not be through the same institutions that carried out the violations, but through transitional justice and the mechanisms agreed on by the different parties with a nongovernmental body monitoring the process.

9. What if the Authority does not respond to this initiative, what is the point of it?

a. In the current circumstances, the Authority might not have the inclination to respond to such an initiative. However, the change of the current political and security circumstances or shifting the equations of power, or the worsening of the security situation could lend itself to such an initiative. Therefore, it is important to discuss and finalize it so that is ready whenever needed.

b. Just widely deliberating and discussing this initiative contributes in promoting the culture of peaceful resistance which is based on the principles of human rights.

c. If local activists adopt the idea of the initiative by sending it to the international bodies concerned and publicly distributing it, this will give it moral value that compels the Authority and holds it responsible for any worsening in the situation, and draws attention to the protest movement in its peaceful and civilized nature.

10. Dealing with the suppressive security apparatuses:

a. One of the main strategies of peaceful civil struggle is to neutralize the security forces or turn them into a burden on the regime if they commit idiocies, violations and killing. This is what happened to the Shah of Iran’s regime with his colossal army and his intelligence system “the SAVAC”, and this also happened to the forces of Great Britain in the face of the deprived Indians, as well as Zine El Abidine’s regime in Tunisia when the security apparatuses violation triggered the revolution which got him banished from the country, and what happened to the regime of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt which relied on the intimidating state security forces which faded suddenly before the cries of the masses.

b. Peaceful work, and the readiness of revolutionaries to sacrifice themselves in front of the security forces is an effective method in widening the scope of the revolution and popular movement, and having more groups and numbers enter the process of change and gaining international and regional sympathy, all critical factors in the success of the civil struggle movement. This is what the revolution in Bahrain took notice of since the beginning, and what it should maintain adamantly even during difficult circumstances.

11. Does this initiative push towards overthrowing or reforming the regime? The purpose of this initiative is not to state the position towards the form of the future political regime. The legitimacy and credibility of any political regime does not depend on its form, whether it was a constitutional monarchy or a republican, presidential or parliamentary, but to what extent it respects human rights, dignity and liberties.

Finally:

The outbreak of protests and popular revolutions is a sign that people have passed the state of fear and moved into a state of anger; the challenge is then to organize the state of anger and employ it to achieve the just demands with the least possible amount of sacrifice and bloodshed. The popular movement in Bahrain has in a stunning manner succeeded in adopting the approach of peaceful struggle and civil disobedience. So that the regime does not continue its arbitrary policy towards increased violence, the people, activists and organizations, carry a heavy burden in avoiding that, and the political and human rights international bodies also bear a major responsibility in the immediate action to stop the recklessness of the regime in Bahrain, and to work on providing the circumstance that assists the popular movement in continuing to commit to the peaceful approach it has embraced and excels in.

Final observation:

These comments are opinions that are subject to alteration, and this proposed initiative is not a personal possession, yet it outlines the evaluation and what gives it the power and effectiveness is adopting and supporting it with the largest number possible of activists and people.

With sincere love and appreciation

Publication of a Judicial Observation Mission Report

19 Feb 2013

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), publishes today a report, which presents findings of a judicial observation mission conducted on the trial in appeal of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab. The report concludes that a series of violations of the right to fair trial marred the judicial process and that Mr. Nabeel Rajab is suffering judicial harassment for merely advocating for and exercising the right to peaceful assembly in Bahrain.

Read full report

While February 14, 2013 marks the second anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protests in Bahrain, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, Deputy Secretary General of FIDH, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), remains detained in Jaw Prison, serving a two-year prison sentence. On December 11, 2012 the Appeals Court in Bahrain confirmed his conviction on charges of calling for and participating in peaceful gatherings on three occasions. As of today, he has been in detention for 217 days.

The Observatory sees the detention and sentence of Mr. Nabeel Rajab as arbitrary and solely aimed at sanctioning and preventing his human rights activities. Indeed, Mr. Rajab has been targeted for his tireless efforts at highlighting gross human rights violations in Bahrain, in particular since the beginning of the popular uprising in the country in February 2011 through the use of Twitter, Facebook, and other social network tools and media outlets as well as his participation in public gatherings.

“Mr. Rajab’s trial reflects Bahrain’s policy and practice of criminalising the exercise of the right to freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly and silencing human rights defenders and other dissenting voices” declared Gerald Staberock, OMCT Secretary General.

Between September and December 2012, the Observatory carried out four missions to Manama to monitor the hearings of Mr. Rajab’s trial. The report recounts the details of these missions and demonstrates that the trial in appeal against Mr. Nabeel Rajab failed to comply with international standards of fair trial. “The entire procedure was fraught with serious human rights violations from the time of arrest, through detention, trial and conviction” said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President.

Mr. Nabeel Rajab was initially detained on July 9, 2012 for his participation in “illegal” assemblies in January, February and March 2012 during which the authorities alleged that acts of violence were committed by some participants. Said gatherings were organised to call for the release of human rights defenders and political activists, to denounce corruption, to call for political and economic reforms, to denounce human rights violations and to call for a fair distribution of wealth and an end to torture.

Though the Bahraini authorities have committed on several occasions to implement the recommendations issued by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), including the release of all prisoners of opinion, Mr. Nabeel Rajab is still detained. He is held in a prison together with ordinary criminals, though most other prisoners of conscience are held together in a separate unit.

Read full report

KEY DEVELOPMENTS » Kingdom blocks international reporters and press groups.

» As repression persists, one journalist is killed and another imprisoned.

19 Feb 2013

The authorities continued to restrict critical reporting and independent news coverage a year after protesters began calling for reform in Bahrain. In February and April, the government denied visas to journalists and press freedom groups, including CPJ, and detained and deported several foreign journalists, effectively barring international news coverage of the unrest surrounding the Formula One Grand Prix and the first anniversary of the protests. Despite King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa’s pledge to uphold press freedom and reform, conditions did not improve. A journalist was detained for months after criticizing a proposed union between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and an appeals court upheld the life sentence of critical blogger Abduljalil Alsingace, who has been imprisoned since March 2011. A well-known videographer was killed while filming a pro-reform protest in March.

Read full report on cpj.org

European Weapons Aid the Authorities’ Crackdown

Photo: Peaceful protestor standing in front of riot police on 14Feb in Duraz Village

Date: 14 February 2013

(Bahrain) – The human rights situation is rapidly deteriorating in Bahrain on the second anniversary of the pro-democracy movement. Security forces in full riot gear have swarmed the streets with armored vehicles and helicopters; many streets are filled with tear gas. The government’s response has been, throughout the day, wildly out of proportion to the largely peaceful demonstrations.

Since the earliest hours of the day around dawn, protesters took to the streets in large numbers, groups of hundreds gathered in all parts of the country, the vast majority of which were peaceful. Protesters have established roadblocks of their own to prevent riot police from driving at high speed into the villages. The security forces used consistently excessive and disproportionate force against protesters across Bahrain throughout the day.

Photo: Hussain Al-Jazeeri photos

Due to the culture of impunity being practiced by Bahrain authorities and the continued use of excessive force, a 16 year-old protester, Hussain Ali Al-Jazeeri, died this morning as a result of a close-range direct hit from a police officer’s shotgun to his abdominal area (Copy of the death certificate). He was shot while he was peacefully protesting in the area of Daih. There is no evidence that AlJaziri was representing any kind of threat to the policeman who fired on him and killed him. Al-Jazeeri died in the ambulance before reaching the hospital. This video shows the medic who was trying to rescue Al-Jaziri in the ambulance ( http://youtu.be/76dYQPj5Sbw ). The Bahraini riot police continue to use the birdshots against the peaceful protests in Bahrain even after 2 years, during which dozens were killed with shotgun, including the first man who was killed on Feb 14, 2011, Ali Mushiama.

Photo : Left : Shotgun Injuries, Right: Extensive use of Teargas

Dozens of injuries were documented today, including tear gas suffocation, shotgun pellet injuries, fractures and bruises. The number of shotgun pellets injuries have rapidly increased today. Many of those injuries were in vital areas of the body including the face and chest.

Photo : A protestor getting arrested.

The Bahrain authorities arbitrarily arrested a number of peaceful protesters during the day. In an attempt to prevent information on human rights abuses from spreading; agency photojournalists Mazen Mahdi (DPA), Hassan Jamali (FP) and Mohammed Al-Shaikh (AP) were arrested this morning while they were covering the protests despite the fact that they have valid ID; they were released several hours later without any explanation of why they were arrested.

Due to the fact that there are many protests organized during the night and in the coming days, the BCHR fears that the escalation of the violations will continue. The security forces continued the widespread use of pellet shotguns, despite the fatality that occurred this morning.

The birdshot canisters, which were found on site where AlJaziri was killed today, are from Cyprus Victory Starlight cartridges. In other areas, Italian manufactured weapon (Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun) and German-owned South African Tear Gas canisters were spotted as being used against protesters.

Cyprus Victory Starlight cartridges

German-owned South African Tear Gas canisters

Italian manufactured weapon (Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun)

The BCHR calls on the United States, the United Kingdom, the UN and all other allies and international institutions to put pressure on the Government of Bahrain to stop its use of excessive force in response to the continued peaceful protests, and to consider a meaningful solution to resolve the persistent political issues of instability in the country.

The BCHR calls on the European Governments and other ally Governments to Bahrain to stop supplying the government of Bahrain with arms that are used against peaceful protesters, which cause severe injury and death among them.

Read more in BCHR Anniversary Report: The BCHR Releases Report on Deaths and Detentions to Mark Two Year Anniversary of Protest Movement http://bahrainrights.hopto.org/en/node/5644

Photo: Nabeel Rajab (left, in white) and Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja (right, in blue) at a protest in 2011.

14 Feb 2013

Bahrain on the 2nd anniversary of 14 February 2011 protests: Bahrain- Human rights defenders are targeted by the government due to their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities.

On the second anniversary of the Bahraini uprising for human rights and democracy, The Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) renew their calls for the immediate release of all the detained human rights defenders in Bahrain. We call for the immediate release of the co-founder of both the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja who worked for years locally and on the international level to promote and defend human rights in MENA region and Bahrain in particular. We call also for the immediate release of the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the newly elected –while in prison- General Secretary of the GCHR Board, Nabeel Rajab, who have been targeted for his peaceful human rights activities especially after the crackdown on protesters during February and March 2011. We call as well to put an end to the ongoing crackdown on all other human rights defenders and activists who are either in jail, in exile, in hiding or awaiting trials that probably will be resulted in prison sentences against them.

On Feb 14, 2011 the Bahraini people took to the streets demanding freedom, human rights recognition, and democracy for their own country. The peaceful protesters were met with sever repression that included the use of excessive force against. As a result of that many innocent citizens either lost their lives or got wounded. Also, during the same period from 16 March to the end of May 2011, the country was placed under the state of National Security, giving full power to the army and security forces. This was the time when some human rights defenders such as Nabeel Rajab have played vital roles in reporting and documenting and publishing information about the massive human rights violations in Bahrain and the indiscriminate attacks on people. By talking directly to the media, using the social media networks at time of travel ban, communicating with international human rights organizations and the UN various human rights bodies, Nabeel Rajab and his colleagues were able to keep the eyes on Bahrain and expose the violations to the world, which have eventually resulted in a sufficient pressure that succeed in both ending the emergency status and the set up of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) by order from the King of Bahrain himself. Leading human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has become a target for the authorities' crackdown from the very beginning, due to his huge human rights work in the years before including founding the BCHR. On 9 April 2011, Al-Khawaja was brutally arrested and knocked down unconscious. He was bleeding due to deep cuts close to the left eye and suffered a number of fractures in the jaw, cheek and nose that required a four hours surgery immediately after his arrest in order to treat his injuries. He was later subjected to sever torture that was documented by the BICI[1] and which was described in details to the Court of Appeal in May 2012 [2]. He was put on a military trial and got life sentences in June 2011 for alleged charges of “attempt to overthrow the Government by force" along with another 20 human rights defenders and activists. In January 2013, the Court of Cassation has upheld the sentences despite all evidences of torture including the fact that Al-Khawaja still suffers from his jaw injury [3]. Between February to May 2012 Al-Khawaja went on a hunger strike that lasted 110 days for freedom, however he was force-fed by the authorities to which he decided to end his hunger strike after he succeed to shed light on the ongoing human rights violations happening in Bahrain. Today, Al-Khawaja is going through another hunger strike started on 2 February 2013 demanding the removal of all the restrictions imposed on the on communications between the detained activists and their families and lawyers [4]. Al-Khawaja has been awarded in 2012 the freedom award from Freedom House along with his two daughters Maryam and Zainab in addition to the Danish newspaper Politiken’s annual Freedom Award which honours "exceptional individuals or organisations struggling to defend or win freedom under hazardous conditions"[5].

In much the same way, Human Rights defender Nabeel Rajab has paid a heavy price due to his determination during the period of the highest repression and beyond to defend the people’s right in Bahrain to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. He was briefly arrested in March 2011 [6], his house was attacked twice in April and May 2011 with tear gas canisters that endangered the life of his family and sick mother who passed away last year [7]. He was pulled to military interrogation in May 2011 for his tweets which documented human rights abuses [8]. The security forces physically attacking him during a protest in Manama in Jan 2012 [9]. Then they started to prepare a large set of lawsuits against him, in which all charges were directly linked to his peaceful and legitimate practice of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nabeel Rajab was eventually sentenced to 3 months in prison in July 2012 for a tweet [10] , and then to 3 years in prison for participating and calling for peaceful protest. His sentence was later reduced to 2 years in prison. Nabeel Rajab is still held in prison since 9 July 2012, in isolation from the rest of prisoners of conscience. He was reportedly ill-treated during detention [11]. Nabeel Rajab is a winner of the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award in 2011, presented annually by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC. Also, he is a winner of the British Silbury Prize in 2011 for his humanitarian and human rights activities. The BCHR, led by Nabeel Rajab, won the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Advocacy Award in 2012 in recognition to "campaigners or activists who have fought repression, or have struggled to challenge political climates and perceptions."

Several other human rights defenders are facing trials and possible prison sentences including Zainab Al-Khawaja with at least 7 active cases against her [12] and Said Yousif Al-Muhafdha who is on trial for a tweet [13].

The most prominent Bahraini blogger, and the internet pioneer, Ali Abdulemam, owner of the most popular Web Site in Bahrain "bahrainonline.org" where the first calls for the February 14 protests emerged is still missing today after his disappearance on 16 March 2011. Abdulemam was previously detained between September 2010 to February 2011 and was subjected to severe torture which he has later exposed to the media (watch minute 09:20 of this video youtube.com/watch). He went missing since the crackdown on protests in March 2011 and his whereabouts is unknown. He has a military sentence against him of 15 years in prison for the very same alleged charges of “attempt to overthrow the Government by force". It’s believed that Abdulemam was targeted mainly because of his work to promote freedom of expression through his Web Site.

The GCHR and the BCHR believe that the Bahraini authorities are targeting these human rights defenders solely for their role in exposing the massive human rights violations and communicating it to the world. The government of Bahrain lacks the will to start a real reform in the country after more than a year that passed after the publication of BICI recommendations. The human rights defenders who worked so hard to document and report the massive violations are the ones imprisoned and prosecuted today while the perpetrators walk free in the streets away from being held accountable for their actions.

The GCHR and the BCHR call on the Bahraini government to immediately and unconditionally release all the detained human rights defenders and drop the charges against them. We also call on the government of Bahrain to meet its obligations according to the international human rights treaties to which the Bahrain government is a signature in particular in relation to the protection of human rights defenders.

The GCHR and BCHR respectfully remind the government of Bahrain that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 6 (b and c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (b) As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms; (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters”, and to Article 12 (1 and 2): “(1) Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. (2) The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

References:

1. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dITcxVcLmx8e5SDei3HAGOWe6_Gmdpvaw5dcsDJzjoc/edit 2. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5338 3. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5587 4. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5639 5. http://cphpost.dk/news/international/al-khawaja-receive-politikens-freedom-prize 6. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/3825 7. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4144 8. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4160 9. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4949 10. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5352 11. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5387 12. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5599 13. http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5615