Bahrain Justice & Development Movement - London, UK

Weekly update on the movement for democracy in Bahrain

25th Dec 2012 - 7th January 2013 Issue 5

BAHRAIN WEEKLY
News from inside Bahrain: Political Prisoners sentences upheld

Bahrain in the media: Stalemate in Bahrain interview with Maryam Alkhawaja

In Bahrain, cameras are weapons

The appeals of 13 opposition gures have been rejected by Bahrains highest appeals court. It signaled the last chance for the men to have their convictions quashed or at least sentences reduced. Eight of the 13 face life sentences, including prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, whilst another 5 face 15 years behind bars. Read more here and statement from opposition party Al Wefaq here. Police verdict in case of Karim Fakhrawi dees BICI

Two police ofcers have been sentenced to 7 years each in prison over the death of opposition Bahrain Uprising: Unseen businessman and journalist Karim Fakhrawi. The BICI but Ongoing had concluded that his death was caused by torture, but the 7 year sentence is only for abuse of a prisoner. The BICI also recommended investigating Bahrain jails two those at the highest level responsible for torture in an policemen over Karim attempt to avoid the scapegoating of low level ofcers. Read more from Fakhrawi death us here Photojournalist abducted Ahmed Humaidan, a Bahraini photojournalist, was abducted by plain-clothed police ofcers on Saturday 29th December from a mall. His whereabouts was only known almost 24 hours later when he was allowed to make a phone call to his family to inform them he was alive. He said he is being interrogated at the Criminal Investigation Department, without the presence of a lawyer. Ahmed has won 143 international awards for his photography and becomes another journalist being targeted by the authorities. Read BCHR report here. Widespread repression in new year Al Wefaq report that 2nd January saw a major security crackdown across 40 different areas of Bahrain. Security forces used a range of weapons on civilians and blocked a number of main roads, with a large number of arrests. Said Yousif Almuhafdah update Human rights activist Said Yousif Almuhafdah remains in detention to this day, since his arrest on 17th December. His case will be review on 9th January 2013, where a decision will be made on extending his detention. He stands accused of dissemnating false news over Twitter. BCHR update decision' Another Bahraini Human Rights Activist Faces TwitterRelated Charges NGOs on Bahrain:

Bahrain: Charges Against Rights Defender Raise Concerns Bahrain: rejection of imprisoned activists' appeal an 'unjust

News from outside Bahrain: Youtube links: Police slap a women whilst she tries to help a child being arrested Compilation of police abuses at the turn of the year Very young child smothered in tear gas Thousands join protest Democracy is inevitable Direct shot from police to head of protester Police breaking down in a door in house raid Bahrain slammed by international community over political prisoners The international community has reacted strongly to the decision to uphold the sentences of the 13 political prisoners, with statements from the UK, UN, US, France and others, along with international NGOs. UK Middle East Minister Alistair Burt said he was dismayed by the decision, in one of his most strongly worded statements to date, whilst UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said he deeply regretted it. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Freedom House all condemned the move. See the full reaction from us here. Bahrain Watch document denials of entry to Bahrain in new campaign Access Denied A new project from the group Bahrain Watch has documented the dozens of cases where Bahrain has refused entry to journalists, NGOs, researchers and others. Government ofcials have regularly declared that Bahrain is open to all, but this project sheds light on the hollowness of these claims. Visit the impressive project here. Rights groups call for investigation into UK surveillance company A British surveillance rm, Gamma International, has come under re for allegedly providing Bahrain with tools to spy on opposition activists. Human Rights campaigners have called on the UK authorities to investigate the selling of equipment to regimes with poor records on human rights. Read More here

Quote from Bahrain: Maryam Alkhawaja, acting President of Bahrain Centre for Human rights and daughter of prominent jailed HRD Abdulhadi Alkhawaja "The verdict was expected because of the lack of independence of the judicial system in Bahrain, and the lack of international consequences for such strong human rights violations."

Useful links: Al Wefaq website Bahrain Justice and Development Movement Manama Document

About Bahrain Justice and Development Movement Bahrain Justice and Development Movement (BJDM) is based in London, UK and promotes democratic reform in Bahrain. We work with opposition gures both inside and outside Bahrain, supporting their efforts to raise awareness of the situation in Bahrain, as well as advocating political reform of a democratic nature. Contact: info@bahrainjdm.org www.bahrainjdm.org / http://bahrainjdm.hopto.org

Bahrain Centre for Human Rights Bahrain Watch