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Bahrain: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that the Bahrainian authorities have refused to disclose the whereabouts of human rights defender, Mr Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar, who was arbitrarily arrested, early in the morning of 21 December 2008, from his residence in Mahooze village by state security forces despite there being no arrest warrant against him. No reason has been given for his arrest and his whereabouts are as yet unknown.  Read More

Human rights defenders in Bahrain are facing increasing restrictions on their activities. The authorities have sought to close down independent human rights organizations including the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and restrict human rights activities. Human Rights defenders have been subjected to arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment, fabricated judicial proceedings, threats and harassment.

Despite provisions for basic rights in Bahraini law and in its adherence to a number of international human rights treaties, in practice these rights are substantially limited. The law prohibits unauthorised public gatherings of more than five persons and public gatherings need to be notified to the Ministry of Interior twenty four hours prior. There have been reports of the use of excessive force by security forces when dispersing demonstrations and evidence of human rights defenders facing various forms of harassment, including prosecution on false criminal charges, threats or assaults. New legislation, under the guise of counter-terrorism, has contributed to further infringements of fundamental freedoms.