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), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources that Mr. Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and FIDH Deputy Secretary General, was stopped at Bahrain International airport and that his laptop and mobile were confiscated, before being returned to him before take-off.
According to the information received, on December 2, 2010, Mr. Nabeel Rajab was approached at a gate at Bahrain International airport and asked to go with someone who identified himself as Khalid Alkhalifa, a National Security officer. He was then taken back to the passport control area and Mr. Alkhalifa asked for his laptop and mobile phone. He told him that he would not willingly give up his laptop and mobile unless he was to go through them in front of him. He was then surrounded by a group of security officers, and when he refused that his laptop and phone be taken away, another group was called in as well. During this process he was told not to speak to or greet anyone. When a young Bahraini approached him unknowingly to greet him, he was forcefully taken away by the security officers. The laptop and phone were returned to him minutes before the take-off, and after all information in both of them had been copied and downloaded.
The Observatory condemns this unlawful confiscation as well as the unlawful copy of data contained therein. It also fears that security officers may have put a spyware into his laptop for monitoring purposes.
The Observatory fears that these acts may merely aim at sanctioning Mr. Nabeel Rajab for his human rights activities and at placing him under close surveillance by security officers. The Observatory recalls that these acts take place in a context of escalating threats and intimidation against the civil society and organisations critical of the the current administration’s human rights record.
Actions requested:
The Observatory urges the authorities of Bahrain to:
i. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all human rights defenders in Bahrain;
ii. Put an end to any acts of harassment against human rights organisations and against all human rights defenders in Bahrain and prevent any interference in their activities;
iii. Carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into these acts, and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
iv. Conform in any circumstances with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, in particular its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”, and its Article 12.2 which provides that “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”;
v. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Bahrain.
Addresses:
· Cheikh Hamad bin Issa AL KHALIFA , King of Bahrain, Fax: +973 176 64 587
· Cheikh Khaled Bin Ahmad AL KHALIFA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tel: +973 172 27 555; Fax : +973 172 12 6032
· Cheikh Khalid bin Ali AL KHALIFA, Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Tel: +973 175 31 333; Fax: +973 175 31 284
· Permanent Mission of Bahrain to the United Nations in Geneva, 1 chemin Jacques-Attenville, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, CP 39, 1292 Chambésy, Switzerland. Fax: + 41 22 758 96 50. Email: info@bahrain-mission.ch
Please also write to diplomatic representations of Bahrain in your respective countries.