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Court adjourns trial of Sheikh Ali Salman

The Bahraini courtheld its fth appealssession for Sheikh AliSalman, adjourninghis case until 30thMarch. Sheikh

Salman’s session lasted for 2 hours with himselfacting as a witness. The session was heldamid a heavy security presence around thecourthouse and representatives of thepolitical societies, including Al Wefaq, werenot permitted entrance. Sheikh Salmanappeared in the prisoner’s uniform and spokereaf rming his commitment to an inclusivenational dialogue and a constitutionalmonarchy. He also called on the internationalcommunity to support the democratic rightsof Bahrainis, including the EU, US and the UN.By the 30 th March, Sheikh Salman wouldhave spent 15 months in prison already,despite the clear bias of the judicial systemand lack of evidence against him.

Court postpones case of Ebrahim Sharif to

Feb. 24 while he insists his innocenceThe Bahraini courtadjourned thecase of EbrahimSharif, the Bahrainiopposition leader andSecretary-Generalof the NationalDemocratic Action Society (Wa›ad), andset 24 th February 2016 as the date for theverdict. Bahraini prosecutors charged Sharifwith encouraging supporters to use violenceagainst security personnel and calling forthe overthrow of the government andinciting hatred. If convicted, Sharif will facea -13 year jail term, according to his lawyer.Ebrahim Sharif has denied all the chargesbrought forth against him, stressing that hedemanded reform rather than the overthrowof the government.

Clashes break out between security forcesand protestors

Dozens of Bahrainistook to the streetsprotesting against theexecution of the Shiitecleric Sheikh NimrAl-Nimr in Saudi

Arabia. Clashes broke out between theprotestors and security forces who redbirdshots and tear gas against the protestorsin an attempt to disperse them. The protestorsheld photos of Sheikh Al-Nimr and chantedslogans denouncing the execution anddemanded to put an end to the Al Khalifafamily›s monopoly over power. The Bahrainigovernment has been banning citizens fromexercising their right to protest for over a yearand regularly violently suppresses what itdescribes as illegal protests.

Fuel prices hike in Bahrain

Bahrain has raised petrol prices for the rsttime in 33 years underthe pretext of theunprecedented dropin global oil prices.In the Parliament session, the governmentannounced the new price for super fuel at160 Bahraini ls ( 0.424$ ) per liter from 100

ls while the price for regular fuel has beenraised to 125 ls per liter from 90 ls. Thedecision was met with outraged reactionswith several lawmakers showing theirdisapproval at the prices hike. One Memberof Parliament said “The decision will make thepoor poorer. We demand an improvementto people›s standard of living, and what thegovernment did yesterday will not achievethat.” In this context, dozens of protestersgathered at a petrol station in Jidhafs, whiledrivers queued at the station following theprice increase announcement.

Bahrain’s de cit to reach BD 5 billion

As the oil-rich

kingdom continues tofeel the strain offalling oil prices, itsbudget de cit for thetwo scal years - 2016

2017 could rise by up to two thirds to BD 5billion ( 13.2$ billion). The de cit for 2015 -2015was expected to reach only BD 3 billion. Thisestimation was made based on a budgetbased on an oil price of 60$ a barrel.However, Bahrain›s oil prices has sincereached 20$ a barrel. It is expected to reach25$ per barrel if no important changes occurin global markets. With this decrease in oil

prices, the Shura council expected the de citto rise by %66 . On the other hand, the non-oilsector of Bahrain is expected to rise by %4.2in 2016 , which may help Bahrain reduce itsde cit.

Bahrainis protest oil price hike and call forelected government

Thousands of Bahrainisstaged protestsexpressing their refusalto the governmentpolicy of liftingsubsidies on basiccommodities and services and deprivingthe families of political prisoners of socialassistance. The government has decidedto lift subsidies on fuel and stop payingdue amounts to the detainees who werearrested on political backgrounds. Bahrainisbelieve that they are forced to pay for thegovernment’s mistakes in redistribution andmanagement of the state. The governmenthad no economic planning and did notseek to diversify its income resources, at atime when the opposition had urged it todo so. Instead of making projects that fosterits economy, Bahrain is spending billions of

dollars on the military sector.

Bahrain arrests terrorist cell linked to Iran

The Bahrainiauthoritiesapprehended aterrorist cell claiming ithas links to Iran. Theauthorities revealed

that the cell aimed to set off explosivesacross the country. They allege the cell wasled by brothers Ali Fakhrawi and MohamedFakhrawi, who had travelled to Iran forsupport and to Lebanon to meet withHezbollah’s Secretary-General HassanNasrallah. The authorities alleged that thearrested were involved in a bomb attack onJuly 2015 ,28 which left two dead Bahrainipolicemen and injured 6 others. This stepcame after the Bahraini governmentexpelled the Iranian envoy following anattack on the Saudi embassy and consulatein Iran.

Khalil Al-Halwachi subjected to abusesand asks prison’s administration forapology

Prison›s authoritiesat Dry Dock Prisontransferred detaineeKhalil Al-Halwachifrom his prison cellfor protesting againstthe humiliating treatment and abuse thedetainees were subjected to while beingsearched. As a result, detainees protestedoutside their cells against the maltreatmentand refused to eat or enter their cells beforethe authorities brought Al-Halwachi back,who also suffers from blood clot risk. Al-Halwachi said he was subjected to violations

and abuses, adding that «Whilst the searchprocess was carried out, I was purposefullyprovoked, my religious position was mocked,and my personal belongings were destroyed.Then I was accused of ‘obstructing thesearch› just because I protested against theseviolations. I was tortured over this charge,taken out of the cell-block shortly beforeevening prayers, prevented from prayingin congregation and held in the of ce ofprisoners’ affairs for four consecutive hourswithout food, as I was fasting.”

Gun attack on Shi›ite religious centre

Masked gunmen launched an early hoursattack on a Shi›ite religious centre in Bahrain,causing damage. Eyewitnesses reported thataround 3:00 a.m., a black vehicle opened reat the Al-Marzouq center, damaging someof the center’s windows and its ceiling. TheMOI declared that “it will bear the cost ofmaintenance, and will repair the damagecaused by gunshots.”

Appeal of Fadhel Abbas delayed untilMarch 3rd

Bahrain›s High Courtof Appeals decidedto delay the case ofFadhel Abbas, theSecretary-General ofthe National

Democratic Unity Gathering Society, until 3rdMarch 2016 where the court will listen tofurther witnesses. The Fourth High CriminalCourt had sentenced Abbas in June last yearto 5 years in prison over spreading falseinformation, malicious rumors andaccusations that may cause damage tooperations of Bahraini armed military forces.The Bahraini government refused to listen tothe various calls by the human rights

organizations to release Abbas, insteadkeeping him in custody.

About Bahrain Justice and Development Movement:

Bahrain Justice and Development Movement (BJDM) is based in London, UK andpromotes democratic reform in Bahrain. We work with opposition gures both insideand outside Bahrain, supporting their efforts to raise awareness of the situation inBahrain, as well as advocating political reform of a democratic nature.

Contact:

info@bahrainjdm.org www.bahrainjdm.org / http://bahrainjdm.hopto.org

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Quote fromBahrain:

Yousif Al Khaja -Deputy Secretary-General forPolitical Affairsin the National

Democratic ActionSociety (Wa›ad)

«The political situationin Bahrain is stagnant.All the constitutionalrights have beenbrought to a halt sinceover a year. Bahrainisare neither allowed tostage protests nor toexpress their opinions.During the past period,wide campaign ofarrests took place.This campaign is stillongoing. Sadly, theBahraini authorities are

not considering theregional circumstancesand the situations inthe Arab world and theworld at large.

We hoped to seereconciliation initiativeslaunched by theauthorities; initiativesthat would transferBahrain from thestagnant phase existingbetween the authoritiesand the opposition intoa phase of consensus.The opposition societieshave, more than once,proposed projects to

settle matters, however,they were met withdeaf ears.

We wish that thingschange within thecoming period and tosee that the voice ofreason prevails. Alas,the authorities lackthis voice of reasonand thus we haven’twitnessed any initiativefrom their side.»

«We are facing asevere political crisisin Bahrain as oil priceshave made a sharpdrop. The country,therefore, is headingto a dif cult phasein which it needs thecombined efforts ofthe government andopposition. This situationwill aggravate becausethe government isspending so muchon security andbecause businesses aretransferring their assetsoutside Bahrain.»

Bahrain in theMedia

NGO`s onBahrain:

Bahrain raises petrol pricesfor rst time in 33 years as oilprice nosedives

Fifa academic demandsoutcry from FAs over SheikhSalman presidential bid

Bahrain sentences 23people for allegedattacks, protests againstgovernment

Bahrain MPs stage heatedprotest over fuel price hike

Bahrain claims to havefoiled Iran-linked terror plot

Bahrain police re tear gas,bird shot at protesters -witnesses

Doctor held for ‹misusing›social media

Bahrain: NGOs call forrelease of Dr Al-Singace

BAHRAIN STARTS THE NEWYEAR BY TIGHTENING THEGRIP ON FREEDOM OFEXPRESSION

BAHRAIN: DEATH SENTENCESUPHELD AT FINAL APPEAL

BAHRAIN: ACTIVISTDETAINED FOR POSTINGON TWITTER: DR SA›EED AL-SAMAHIJI

Bahrain: As human rightsdefender Dr. Al-Singaceenters 300 th day of hungerstrike, NGOs call for hisimmediate release

• Protest in Nuwaidratsuppressed

• Protest in Sitrasuppressed

• Cars attacked by

police

Useful links:

Al Wefaq National IslamicSociety

Bahrain Centre for HumanRights

Bahrain Mirror

Bahrain Watch

Manama Document

News from Inside Bahrain

News from Outside Bahrain

Ban Ki-moon urges Bahrain to beginprocess of peaceful political dialogue

an Ki-Moon, theUnited NationsSecretary-General,held a phoneconversation withKhalid bin Ahmed Al

Khalifa, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom ofBahrain, in which he urged the BahrainiGovernment to take further measures tofoster peaceful political dialogue amongst allBahrainis. The UN Secretary-General discussedthe situation in the Gulf region andchallenges to regional peace and security,expressing the hope that countries of theregion will take concrete steps to de-escalatecurrent tensions. Ban Ki-moon encouragedBahrain “to fully comply with the Kingdom›sinternational human rights obligations,including by upholding freedom of

expression, assembly and other fundamentalfreedoms.» He concluded saying that “suchmeasures will not only promote peace,security, reconciliation and prosperity inBahrain, but will also contribute to defusingtensions in the region.”

British MP asks Secretary of State forForeign and Commonwealth Affairs aboutHasan Mushaima’s Health

The Labour MPJim Cunninghamasked about therepresentations theSecretary of Statefor Foreign andCommonwealth Affairs has made to hisBahraini counterpart on the continueddetention and wellbeing of HasanMushaima. «We are aware of the caseof Hasan Mushaima and have raised itwith the Government of Bahrain,» TobiasEllwood, British Minister for the Middle Eastand North Africa replied saying. «The UKcontinues to encourage the Governmentof Bahrain to deliver on its international anddomestic human rights commitments andto appropriately address all reports of ill-treatment of detainees,» he added. «Weencourage all those with concerns abouttheir treatment in detention to report thesedirectly to the Ombudsman,» MP TobiasEllwood further stated.

Bahrain to hire Canadian Company toBlock Opposition Websites

A Canadiancompany has offeredto provide theBahraini governmentwith internetcensorship technology

at 1.17$ million to block opposition websites.This is not the rst time the CanadianNetsweeper Company provides foreigngovernments engaged in con icts withcontroversial censorship technology as it hasalready provided the Houthi rebels withcensorship technology. Bahrain is known forrestricting freedoms of opinion andexpression. The government has blockedseveral opposition websites since the eruptionof February 14 th uprising and arrested anumber of tweeters for posting tweets thatare inconsistent with the governments view.

Royal Guard to purchase “ArmoredVehicles” amid nancial dif culties

A Bahraini Royal Guarddelegation is in theprocess of visiting Paristo prepare for a dealto purchase SherpaLight armored vehiclesfrom Renault Trucks Defense, the TacticalReport website reported . Sherpa Lighttactical vehicles are designed for infantry,paratroopers, marines and internal securityforces. They have good performance on theroads and off-roads and can be air freightedas well. Despite the severe economic crisisBahrain is facing and despite raising its publicdebt to 10$ billion, it continues to spendbillions in the military. The government hasdoubled its expenditures on military since2011 . Bahrain has already lifted subsidieson meat and lately issued subsidies on fuel.It is also in the process of studying liftingsubsidies on electricity without even providingalternatives for the poorest citizens.

NGOs call for immediate release ofhuman rights defender Dr. Al-Singace ashe enters 300th day of hunger strike

On his 300 th dayof hunger strike,44 NGOs from thearound the worldcalled on the Bahraini

authorities to immediately release prisonerof conscience Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace andprovide him all appropriate and necessarymedical treatment. Al-Singace began hishunger strike in March 2015 as a response topolice subjecting inmates at the Central JawPrison to collective punishment, humiliationand torture. After his health deteriorated dueto the hunger strike, the prison authoritiestransferred him to the Qalaa hospital, wherethey keep him isolated from others. Dr. Al-Singace was rst arrested in August 2010 andthen rearrested on 17 March 2011 . He wastortured and humiliated while in detention.

Royal Guard to purchase “ArmoredVehicles” amid nancial dif culties

The Bahraini authoritiesapprehended Dr.Sa›eed Al-Samahijifrom his home in Isatown over a seriesof tweets in whichhe condemned theexecution of theprominent Saudi Shiite cleric Sheikh NimrAl-Nimr. The general prosecution thenrenewed his detention for 15 days pendinginvestigation. The prosecution charged himwith insulting a neighboring country for thepurpose of threatening national securityand inciting illegal demonstration andassemblies. Amnesty issued a statement inwhich it considered Al-Samahiji a prisoner ofconscience and said he must be releasedimmediately and unconditionally. Front

Line Defenders expressed concern at theextended detention of Al-Samahiji andat the continued targeting of humanrights defenders in Bahrain. It sees that thedetention is solely related to Al-Samahiji›slegitimate exercise of the right of freedomof expression and his human rights work.However, the British Medical Associationurged that Al-Samahiji must be grantedaccess to legal and medical support, ashe still suffers from injuries sustained duringa previous arrest in 2001 and called for hisimmediate release.

Copyright © 2016 Bahrain Justice & Development Movement, All rights reserved.

Issue 37: 7th - 21st January 2016