UN criticizes Bahrain over toughened 'anti-protest' laws
Bahrain's legal crackdown on demonstrators has been criticized heavily by the UN, which warned that there may be “serious consequences” in anticipation of a protest planned for August 14. The move has also prompted an open letter from human rights groups.
The stricter penalties for protests, which were enacted on July
31, are amendments to the 2006 Law on the Protection of Society
from Acts of Terrorism. The revisions also include increasing the
detention period for committing or inciting an act of terrorism.
But critics believe the toughened laws will be used against
peaceful protesters – not just those committing “terrorist”
activities.
“They also provide for banning sit-ins, rallies and gatherings
in the capital Manama,” spokesperson for the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Cécile Pouilly, said in a statement.
Anti-government rallies have been organized for August 14,
despite the new legislation.
The UN expressed concern that the amendments – which are
supposedly intended to protect the population from terrorism -
may negatively impact human rights.
#Bahrain: Concern abt recommendations for harsher punishments agst #terrorism incl. revoking citizenship http://t.co/bPokCJnevr
— UN Human Rights (@UNrightswire) August 6, 2013
One proposed punishment included stripping citizenship from those
convicted of violence.
“We reiterate that the right to nationality is a fundamental
right protected by Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which provides that no one shall be arbitrarily
deprived of his or her nationality,” said Pouilly.
“Arbitrary deprivation of nationality may also lead to
statelessness with serious consequences.”
A joint open
letter signed in anticipation of next Wednesday’s protests
was co-signed by international NGOs and five Bahrain-based human
rights groups. It described the human rights situation in the
country as having “rapidly deteriorated” ahead of the
demonstrations.
“We urge international human rights organizations to attempt
to visit Bahrain over the coming week, in order to document and
monitor ongoing protests, especially on August 14 when Bahrain is
expected to come under lockdown,” the letter stated, calling
for authorities to hold back from forceful restraint or the use
of birdshot and tear gas.
Pouilly also urged “respect for freedom of expression
and peaceful assembly.”
“We reiterate that right to nationality is fundamental right protected by article 15 of the Universal Declaration.." http://t.co/fyNjPoXqlJ
— Bahrain Human Rights (@BahrainRights) August 6, 2013
Anti-government unrest in Bahrain intensified in February 2011.
However, the widespread demonstrations were suppressed, with
police response being described as “brutal.” Around 35
people died and over 1,000 others were arrested. Shia mosques
were demolished while protesters were “named and shamed” and
medical professionals were put on trial.
Pro-democracy opposition activists had been encouraged by the
success of uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, which prompted them to
speak out against Bahrain’s autocratic government. The country’s
government has been criticized for restrictions imposed on civil
liberties, press and speech freedoms, assembly, and some
religious practices.
After a lull, tensions began to rise in autumn 2012. Last April,
the government introduced stricter penalties making it illegal to
insult King Hamad or national symbols. The charges carry
sentences of up to five years in jail.
“There’s a façade of supposed reform in Bahrain, but the
reality is that critics and dissenting voices are just locked up
and silenced,” head of policy and government affairs at
Amnesty International UK, Allan Hogarth, said Tuesday, drawing on specific cases as examples.
“Blogger Mohammad Hassan Sayef, and cameraman Hussain
Habib…were arrested last week, most likely for their social media
activity,” he said.
In recent months, the Bahraini government has increased pressure
on people spreading information on the country’s human rights
situation through Twitter and Facebook.
At the beginning of August, a report emerged which revealed that
the government was creating fake social media accounts to track
online critics. Since October 2012, 11 people have been jailed
for criticizing the regime on the internet.
The report, entitled “The IP Spy Files: How
Bahrain’s Government Silences Anonymous Online Dissent,” stated
that tweeters referring to Bahrain’s King as a “dictator”
or “tyrant” were imprisoned for up to a year.
On the same day that the country’s newest legislation was
enacted, 26-year-old Hassan was arrested. The Shiite-led
opposition described the measures as a “declaration of war on
the people, as well as open threats and insults to beliefs.”
