ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #368

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Bahrain

Bahrain’s Double Standard on Religious Freedom: The Case of Ashura 2020

Ashura is a time of mourning and remembrance for the Shia Muslims. In Bahrain, its observance serves as both a symbol of their religion and a marker of their religious freedom. However, this year, Bahraini authorities have continued the systematic discrimination against the Shia citizens by curtailing their freedom of religious observation, citing COVID-19 as an excuse. This follows similar anti-Shia discrimination that occurred in the past.

COVID-19 Restrictions

In a meeting on 14 Augu st with the Administrative Council and the National Medical Task Force for Combating the Coronavirus, Yousef bin Saleh al-Saleh, Chair of the Jafari Endowments Council, introduced restrictions to be imposed on Ma’tams and worshippers during Ashura. These restrictions included holding the Muharram ceremonies virtually with only the administration and broadcasting staff present in the Ma’tam and adhering to all precautionary measures; restricting the duration of the ceremonies to a maximum of 20 minutes; prohibiting the installation of black banners outside the perimeter of the Ma’tam; forbidding ceremonies and sermons to be broadcasted on loudspeakers; and banning Ma’tams and ceremonies for women. Conversely, public spaces throughout Bahrain–including entertainment facilities, gyms, malls, and swimming pools–were reopened on 6 August. The discrepancy between policies illustrates how the government is using COVID-19 as an excuse to target Shia worship during the month of Muharram.

The Jafari Endowments issued another statement urging Ma’tams to form organization committees to prevent assembly during Ashura ceremonies. On 26 August, the sixth day of Muharram, the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Justice approved the gradual reopening of mosques, while maintaining safety precautions. In light of this decision, the Jafari Endowments and the National Medical Taskforce approved measures regarding the commemoration of Ashura, including requirements that worshippers sit two meters apart; that worshippers remain in their seats for the duration of their ceremonies; that children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases are prohibited from attending gatherings; and that worshippers must commemorate only within in their residential areas. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad disregarded these rules, however, when he represented the king and the Government of Bahrain at a Hindu celebration with no masks and no social distancing on 1 September, immediately after Ashura.

Read the full article here.

Profile in Persecution

Mohamed Jameel Al Toblani

A 23-year-old Mohamed Jameel Altoblani was arrested in November 2015 by Bahraini authorities on account of terror-related charges for joining a terrorist cell named "Zulfiqar Brigades” and sentenced to life imprisonment. At the time of his arrest, Mohamed was a law student who also worked for the airmech construction company.

Following his arbitrary detention, he is serving a life sentence in Jau Prison, Bahrain. On 9 June 2020, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) published an opinion for the immediate release of Mohamed and 19 other Bahraini citizens convicted in the mass trial for the same charge of their alleged involvement in Zulfiqar Brigades.

Mohamed was arrested on the night of 3 November 2015 by police officers in plain clothing. The police authorities surrounded the house and a large number of officers knocked on his door to arrest Mohamed and search his room. While the police presented an arrest warrant, they refused to disclose any information for the reason of Mohamed’s arrest. Mohamed’s family did not know who issued the warrant.

Read the full report here.

ADHRB at the UN

ADHRB raises human rights violations against migrant workers in the GCC

On 1 October 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during interactive debate under item 9.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

ADHRB calls on Bahrain to implement all of its UPR recommendations

On 30 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during interactive debate under item 6.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

ADHRB at HRC45: Racial and Ethnic discrimination in the GCC

On 30 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during interactive debate with Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

ADHRB: the UN ECOSOC committee in dire need for reforms

On 30 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during interactive debate under item 6.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

ADHRB raises issues of Reprisal at the Human Rights Council

On 29 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during interactive debate under item 5.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

ADHRB’s oral interventions during Sweden’s UPR

On 29 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during Sweden’s UPR.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

Saudi Arabia Fails to Deliver on Promises to Abolish Death Penalty against Children

On 28 september, at HRC45 Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, and Reprieve deliver this statement on behalf of Taha al-Hajji, a former lawyer in Saudi Arabia on Promises to Abolish Death Penalty against Children.

Watch the video and read the full statement here.

GCC in the Wire

- Who will be Kuwait's next crown prince? (Reuters)

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Tuesday aged 91 and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah was named the new ruler of the Gulf major oil exporter.

- Yemen's war shifts focus to Marib, thousands of displaced at risk (Reuters)

In Yemen’s gas-rich region of Marib, fighters loyal to the Saudi-backed government recited Koranic verses before launching a hail of mortar and machine gun fire towards rocky mountains, in a desperate bid to push back Houthi forces.

- UAE records highest daily COVID-19 tally since outbreak (Reuters)

The United Arab Emirates saw on Wednesday its highest daily total of coronavirus infections since the start of the outbreak, with 1,100 new cases.

- Saudi-Led coalition foils attack by Yemen's Houthis in the south of the Red Sea - Al-Arabiya TV (Reuters)

The Saudi-Led coalition fighting in Yemen foiled an “imminent terrorist attack” by Iran-aligned Houthis in the south of the Red Sea, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV said on Monday.

- Activists seek justice on anniversary of Khashoggi killing (AP)

Journalists and human rights activists called for justice for Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday, the second anniversary of The Washington Post columnist’s brutal killing inside his country’s consulate in Istanbul.

- Ethiopian migrants held in Saudi Arabia call it ‘hellish’ (AP)

From a filthy cell in Saudi Arabia, the Ethiopian migrant spoke on a smuggled phone, fearing to give his name. Some 300 countrymen are detained with him, he said. And no one knows when Ethiopia’s government might bring them home.

Are you a victim of a human rights abuse in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, or other GCC states?

Document your case with the Special Procedures of the United Nations through ADHRB's UN Complaint Program.

Contact us at: [email protected]

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