bahrain

Release Human Rights Activist Arrested for Using Twitter

Originally published on September 25, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain

Goal: Drop charges and release a human rights worker imprisoned for practicing free speech on Twitter

A prominent blogger and human rights activist has been arrested for posting comments on Twitter. After tweeting criticisms regarding a corrupt hospital administration, the activist has been detained and charged with defamation. The Bahraini government must release her immediately and drop the ridiculous charges against her.

Accused of posting insulting tweets, human rights activist Ghada Jamsheer has been arrested for attempting to engage in free speech. After criticizing the administration at King Hamad Hospital for their alleged corruption, Jamsheer was arrested and interrogated multiple times in an attempt to intimidate her. Although she did not call for violence or commit a violent crime, Jamsheer remains imprisoned.

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Drop False Charges Against Human Rights Activist

Originally published on September 21, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain

Goal: Release a human rights worker falsely charged with assaulting a police officer

After returning to Bahrain to visit her ill father, a human rights activist was detained at the airport on the claims that she did not have Bahraini citizenship. After showing them her Bahraini ID card, the human rights worker was imprisoned for several days and charged with insulting the king and assaulting a police officer. The government of Bahrain must release this activist and drop the false charges against her.

Human rights worker Maryam Al-Khawaja returned to Bahrain to visit her imprisoned father, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja. Imprisoned for life for his participation in advocating for human rights, Abdulhadi began a hunger strike calling attention to the injustice and torture endured by him and his fellow prisoners. Instead of allowing Maryam to visit her ill father, Bahraini authorities arrested Maryam to silence her and her family.

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Stop Human Rights Abuses and the Killing of Activists

Published on September 3, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain

Goal: Hold corrupt cops accountable for killing protesters and torturing prisoners

Since the Arab Spring uprisings, Bahrain security forces have killed dozens of activists and wounded hundreds of others. Indiscriminately gunning down and viciously beating protesters, the police cover up their crimes and rarely face prosecution. Many of those arrested are subjected to torture and horrific threats to their families. Arrested children receive the same mistreatment. The government of Bahrain must investigate these human rights abuses and punish the cops committing these crimes.

During protests, police in riot gear have repeatedly killed and crippled activists by shooting them with birdshot. In one case, Mahmood al-Jazeeri was killed when a cop fired a tear gas canister at his head at close range. According to the U.S. State Department, an eight-year-old child reportedly died from inhaling tear gas dispersed by the police.

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