June 18
JAPAN:
Prosecutors seek death penalty for alleged killer of Vietnamese girl in Chiba
Prosecutors on Monday demanded the death penalty for the former parents'
association chief accused of murdering a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl in Chiba
Prefecture last year.
Yasumasa Shibuya, 47, committed a "cold-blooded, heinous and cruel" crime in
abducting, sexually assaulting and strangling Le Thi Nhat Linh, prosecutors
said at the hearing at the Chiba District Court.
Shibuya, a neighbor of the girl, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the indictment, Shibuya bundled Linh into his car in Matsudo on
the morning of March 24, 2017, before sexually assaulting and killing her in
the vehicle and abandoning her body near a drainage ditch in nearby Abiko.
"The defendant shows no sign of remorse. The suffering of Linh, who was killed
in a foreign country, is beyond imagination," prosecutors said.
The crime was committed out of "extreme selfishness" and Shibuya deserves
particularly serious blame given his position at the time as head of the
parents' group, they said.
Shibuya denies involvement in the girl's death and says the prosecutors' claims
are fictitious and fabricated. At Monday's hearing, Shibuya repeated that
position, saying, "I'm innocent and not guilty."
"I wish for a fair judgment for the sake of my 2 children, who are waiting for
me and believe in me," he said.
The court is scheduled to hand down a ruling on the case on July 6.
The focal point of the case is DNA evidence. Prosecutors say blood and saliva
matching the girl's DNA was found in Shibuya's vehicle and that Shibuya's DNA
was found on her body.
But defense lawyers said the DNA samples may have been deliberately placed
there by the investigators.
The prosecutors claimed the DNA results were credible because blood was
detected in several places inside Shibuya's vehicle, indicating the blood was
left during the crime.
Although Shibuya has said he was preparing to go fishing on the day when Linh
disappeared, the prosecutors said his statement is not trustworthy because it
was contradicted by other people.
Le Anh Hao, the girl's 35-year-old father, requested the death penalty for
Shibuya at a court hearing last week.
Linh, who was in her 3rd year at the elementary school, was on her way to
attend a ceremony marking the end of the school year when she was abducted.
(source: Japan Times)
SOUTH KOREA:
Gov't Seeks to Declare Moratorium on Death Penalty in Dec.
The National Human Rights Commission says it is seeking to have President Moon
Jae-in declare the abolition of capital punishment on Human Rights Day on
December 10th.
The head of the commission's department on policy education, Sim Sang-don, said
in a news conference on Monday that the commission is working toward the
president declaring the moratorium on the death penalty upon the 70th
anniversary of Human Rights Day this year.
Sim cited that scrapping the death penalty was one of the key topics that
surfaced when the commission gave a special briefing to the president last
December for the 1st time in 6 years. Sim said that at the time, President Moon
was positive about getting rid of capital punishment.
Sim said the commission is currently coordinating views with the Justice
Ministry on the issue.
South Korea has not carried out a state execution since December 30th, 1997 but
it has never officially declared a moratorium on the death penalty.
(source: kbs.co.kr)
PHILIPPINES:
House drops proposed restoration of death penalty for acts of terrorism
The proposed restoration of the death penalty for acts of terrorism has been
dropped by the House of Representatives following doubts aired by the
Department of Justice and the Department of National Defense on its
constitutionality.
During a meeting of the technical working group tasked to study the proposed
overhaul of the Human Security Act of 2007, it was revealed that the DOJ and
DND are not supportive of reimposing the death penalty as proposed House Bill
7141 filed by Pangasinan Rep. Amado T. Espino Jr.
Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House committee on
national defense, presided over the TWG meeting yesterday.
Espino, committee chairman, sought the reimposition of the death penalty for
various acts contributing to terrorism, among other major amendments to the
Human Security Act of 2007 which will be titled Prevention of Terrorism Act of
2018 under HB 7141.
Under the bill, life imprisonment or death penalty will be applied for
conspiracy to commit terrorism, proposing to commit terrorism, inciting to
terrorism and recruitment to terrorist organization.
Providing material support to terrorists or terrorist organizations and
involvement of foreign terrorist fighters will be penalized with death.
"The fixed penalty of 40 years of imprisonment has been changed to 'life
imprisonment to death' to give leeway to the judge to impose appropriate
penalty after considering the circumstances present," Espino explained.
Espino's bill is being co-authored by former military officers, Representatives
Leopoldo Bataoil (NP, Pangasinan) and Gary Alejano (Magdalo Partylist).
The bill is expected to draw strong opposition from progressive lawmakers for
providing for a 10 year prison sentence on persons found guilty of glorifying
or promoting acts of terrorism through any medium.
Biazon said he is concerned about the "adherence of the eventual law to the
principle of upholding human rights as provided in the Constitution."
"We want a law that meets the end of law enforcers against terrorism while at
the same time ensures the protection of human rights and prevention of abuse,"
the senior administration lawmaker stressed.
The bill has been included in the list of legislative priorities of the Lower
House, apparently the result of the Maute invasion of Marawi City last year.
Espino proposed the change of the title of the current law "to maintain
uniformity with other foreign jurisdictions which uses the same title and to
avoid confusion simply because the law deals mainly with terrorism."
He explained that the measure will address exigencies that could prevent
terrorism activities and avert loss of innocent lives.
Under the bill the secretary of Justice will have the power to compel
telecommunications providers to "preserve and produce all customer information
and identificaiton records, as well as data record and other cellular or
internet metadata in cases of actual or imminent terrorist attacks."
Aside from the Court of Appeals, the Regional Trial Court will now be clothed
with power to issue judicial authorization to facilitate the recovery of
documents.
"A provisions on the arrest of unwilling witnesses that causes delay in
building the cse against the terrorists is included. The extension of detention
without judicial warrant is likewise extended to 30 days," Espino said.
(source: Manila Bulletin)
NIGERIA:
15 Herdsmen Escape Death Sentence At Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has sentenced 15 herdsmen to various terms of imprisonment
ranging from ten years to life imprisonment for their roles in the communal
crisis, which erupted in January 2010 culminating in attacks and counter
attacks around Kadunu village in Mangu local government area of Plateau State.
The herdsmen however escaped death sentence because as at the time of
commission of the offence and sentencing, the Terrorism (Prevention)
(Amendment) Act, 2013, which prescribes death penalty for anyone on conviction
for commission of acts of terrorism was yet to be enacted by the National
Assembly.
A 5-member panel of the highest court in the land headed by Justices Olabode
Rhodes-Vivour affirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Jos. Other members
of the panel are Justices Mary Ukaegbo Peter-Odili, John Inyang Okoro, Amiru
Sanusi and Sidi Dauda Bage. The appellate court in Jos had upheld the decision
of the Federal High Court in Jos, which dismissed the appeal filed by one of
the herdsmen, Isah Bello, saying it lacks merit.
The 15 Fulani herdsmen were charged, convicted and sentenced for acts of
terrorism, conspiracy and extra-judicial possession of firearms.
They are Mohammed Auwal, Ibrhim Yusuf, Salihu Jibrin, Abdulkarim Mohammed,
Suliman Jibrin, Muhammed Jibri, Suleiman Jibrin, Musa Abdulmumuni, Isah Bello,
Abdulhamid Bello, Isa Dauda and Ibrahim Jibrin.
In January 2010, there was communal crisis that culminated in attacks and
counter attacks around Kadunu village in Mangu local government area of Plateau
State. During the crises, there were massive destruction of lives and
properties in the area.
The special taskforce of the federal government meant to restore law and order
went to the scene of the disturbances and seized various kinds of ammunitions
that were used by the rioters, such as guns, arrows and bows. The taskforce
arrested those found in the vicinity of the crises that later claimed they were
victims of the disturbances but that they were in the process of escaping when
they were arrested.
After investigation, the herdsmen were found culpable, and consequently
arraigned and tried before the high court.
The herdsmen were arraigned before the Federal High Court for alleged
commission of offence under Section 518 (5) of the Criminal Code Act, Sections
5(1) and 27(1) of the Firearms Act and Section 15 (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
Justice A.L. Allagoa on December 16, 2010 found them guilty, convicted and
sentenced them to various term of imprisonment allowed by the law under which
they were charged to court. As at the time of commission of the offence and
sentencing, the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013, which prescribes
death penalty for anyone on conviction for commission of acts of terrorism was
yet to be enacted by the National Assembly.
The law now insists that "any person or group of persons who directly or
indirectly, willingly does, attempts or threatens any act of terrorism, amongst
others, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to
maximum of death sentence".
Dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence by Justice Allagoa, each of the
herdsmen appealed to the Court of Appeal, which consequently upheld the
judgement of the high court. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage of the Supreme Court who
delivered the lead judgement held that the 2 lower courts were concurrent in
their decisions and that the apex court does not have reasons to interfere in
their findings of facts arrived at.
"The appeal lacks merit and it is dismissed, and I affirm the judgement of the
Court below upholding the trial court's decision", he ruled.
(source: leadership.ng)
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY:
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a protocol to abolish the death
penalty, but the measure faces opposition in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas
continues to support the sentence.
Palestine is joining 102 countries that have abolished the death penalty and 33
others that have suspended it. On June 6, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
signed documents to accede to 7 international conventions and treaties,
including one on abolition of the death penalty. Abbas instructed Foreign
Minister Riad Malki to handle the procedures to implement these conventions.
Abbas signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, adopted by the UN in 1989, aimed at abolishing the
death penalty and stipulating, "No one within the jurisdiction of a state party
to the present protocol shall be executed," and "each state party shall take
all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within its jurisdiction."
Public Prosecutor Ahmed Barak told Al-Monitor that current Palestinian Basic
Law allows for the death penalty but requires that it be implemented with the
approval of the Palestinian Authority (PA) president.
The PA in the West Bank currently applies the Jordanian Penal Code No. 16 of
1960, many articles of which stipulate the death penalty, while the Gaza Strip
abides by the British Mandatory Penal Code No. 74 of 1936, which also provides
for the death penalty. ?The new protocol will go into effect in three months.
Barak added that authorities will take the necessary legal and legislative
measures to amend Palestinian laws to align with the protocol.
Barak pointed out that countries around the world are divided into three
schools: the 1st allows the death penalty, which is applied in certain states
in the United States as well as most Arab countries; the 2nd provides for the
death penalty but does not actually apply it; and the third does not condone
the death penalty and imposes a life sentence instead.
In the Palestinian territories, between 1994 when the PA was founded and the
end of 2017, 41 executions were carried out, 39 of them in the Gaza Strip and 2
in the West Bank in 2001 that were approved by late Palestinian President
Yasser Arafat. Among the executions carried out in the Gaza Strip, 28 were
conducted after Hamas took over in 2007 without Abbas' approval.
Abbas allowed the death sentence to be carried out with his permission for the
last time in 2005. The prisoners had been sentenced years before.
The proposed death penalty ban faces obstacles in the Palestinian territories
where the PA lacks control, specifically in the Gaza Strip. Ahmed Abu Halabiya,
who represents Hamas on the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza, has
rejected the protocol because, he told Al-Monitor, it violates laws the PA had
passed since it was founded.
Abu Halabiya said the proposal doesn't serve Palestinian society's best
interest because the death penalty protects society. He said Abbas signed the
protocol to win the approval of international bodies, which he did not name.
He noted that, regardless of Abbas' signature on the protocol to abolish it,
Hamas will continue to support the death penalty, specifically against
murderers, drug traffickers and those found guilty of colluding with Israel. He
said Abbas' action is contrary to the Basic Law.
However, Rabah Muhanna, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine's (PFLP) political bureau, told Al-Monitor, "When the PLC is asked to
amend the Basic Law and remove the article that provides for the death penalty,
PFLP representatives at the PLC will certainly support abolishing the death
penalty and replacing it with a sentence as severe as life imprisonment."
The protocol signing received broad acclaim among human rights institutions in
the Palestinian territories, especially since these institutions have been
calling on Palestinians for decades to abolish the death penalty, stating it is
inhumane and ineffective as a deterrent to crime. Issam Younis, the director of
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that many countries
in the world that use the death penalty still have high crime rates.
Abbas' signature on the protocol is a step in the right direction, he said,
"yet all conventions the PA recently joined need to be compatible with all
Palestinian legislation so they can be applied in real life, otherwise they
would be worthless."
Yasser al-Amouri, a professor of international law at Birzeit University,
called on Abbas to take the appropriate actions to suspend all provisions
stipulating the death penalty in the Palestinian territories until the laws can
be amended to create a legal system consistent with the international treaties
and conventions the PA has joined.
Amouri said the PA's accession to this protocol is an advanced step in
defending the right to life. He called on Palestinian legislative authorities
to find alternatives to laws that have become outdated and are incompatible
with civilizational development.
(source: Ahmad Abu Amer is a Palestinian writer and journalist who has worked
for a number of local and international media outlets. He is co-author of a
book on the Gaza blockade for the Turkish Anadolu Agency. He holds a master's
degree from the Islamic University of Gaza----al-monitor.com)
IRAN----executtions
6 Executions in One Day
Reports suggest that after the execution of Mohammad Salas, 5 other prisoners
who were sentenced to death on murder charges were also hanged at Rajai Shahr
Prison today. One of the prisoners was charged with the murder of an
8-month-old baby named Benita.
According to a close source, on the morning of Monday, June 18, 6 prisoners,
including Mohammad Salas, were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison.
According to the official news agency of the Judiciary, Mizan, 1 of the
prisoners who were executed today was charged with the murder of an 8-month-old
baby named Benita Qal'enoiy during a car theft.
The state-run news agency, Javan, reported, "The defendant, Mohammad Vafaiy,
stole a car that belonged to Benita Qal'enoiy's father while the 8-month-old
baby was in the back seat. Ultimately, he leaves the car in the street which
leads to the baby's death due to high temperature and lack of oxygen."
The defendant said that he went to the police reported the incident a few hours
later "but they didn't pay any attention."
Although the statements of the defendant were denied by the police spokesman,
Tehran's prosecutor confirmed that the location of the stolen car carrying
Benita, was informed to the police and they "should have" found the car
"earlier".
A close source told IHR that the executions of Mohammad Vafaei and 4 other
prisoners who were charged with murder were carried out an hour after Mohammad
Salas??? execution. The 4 other prisoners have not been identified so far and
the state-run media have not announced their execution.
According to Iran Human Rights annual report on the death penalty, 240 of the
517 execution sentences in 2017 were implemented due to murder charges. There
is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in
issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and
intent.
(source: iran Human Rights)
**********************
Sufi bus driver executed at dawn after grossly unfair trial
Mohamed Salas was executed by the Iranian authorities at dawn on 18 June 2018.
In response to the execution of Mohammad Salas, a 51-year-old man from Iran's
largest Sufi order, the Gonabadi Dervish religious minority, Amnesty
International said:
"Amnesty International condemns, in the strongest terms, today's execution of
Mohammad Salas, which was carried out despite serious unfair trial concerns.
"The Iranian authorities have a deplorable track record when it comes to the
use of the death penalty. This execution is a travesty of justice that is
abhorrent and unconscionable. It flies in the face of the huge public outcry in
the country and is vengeance, not justice.
"Mohammad Salas' trial was grossly unfair. He said he was forced under torture
to make a 'confession' against himself. This 'confession', taken from his
hospital bed, was broadcast on state television weeks before his trial and used
as the only piece of evidence to convict him. He was not allowed access to his
chosen lawyer at any point before or during his trial, and his independent
lawyer's repeated demands to the authorities to allow critical evidence
indicating his innocence were dismissed outright."
Following Mohammad Salas' execution at Raja'i Shahr prison at dawn this
morning, the authorities took his body away for burial to Borujerd, Lorestan
Province, hundreds of kilometres from where his children and mother live, and
despite their protestations to bury him in Tehran. The authorities buried his
remains in Borujerd without his family present and with security forces
standing guard. They also denied the family's request that Mohammad Salas' body
be examined by a coroner to determine the injuries he incurred because of the
torture to which he said he was subjected.
Below is the initial response from Amnesty International to Mohammad Salas'
imminent execution
Iranian authorities must urgently stop the imminent execution of Mohammad
Salas, a 51-year-old man from one of Iran's largest Sufi orders, the Nemattolah
Gonabadi order, and to immediately quash his death sentence, Amnesty
International said today.
"Amnesty International has received information that indicates a huge
miscarriage of justice may be carried out if the Iranian authorities go through
with this execution. We call on the authorities to immediately quash the death
sentence of Mohammad Salas and to order a retrial that meets international fair
trial standards without recourse to the death penalty," said Philip Luther,
Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty
International.
Background
Mohammad Salas was arrested around 2.30pm on 19 February outside a police
station where thousands of Gonabadi dervish protesters had gathered to
peacefully protest the persecution of the Gonabadi dervish community in Iran.
Salas, a bus driver by profession, has said that he was repeatedly beaten in
the police station where he was held for several hours. He has said that he
heard one police officer order the others to "beat him until he dies". He was
eventually taken, unconscious, to a hospital to treat his injuries, which
included cuts to the head requiring stitches, broken teeth, broken ribs, a
broken nose, and a partial loss of vision.
Scared, disoriented and drowsy after being reportedly tortured, Salas awoke to
find a police investigator by his bed, who forced him to sign a pre-written
statement "confessing" to the murders. Salas was unable to read the statement
because he has limited literacy and also cannot read without his glasses. The
interrogation was conducted without a lawyer present.
Another man who was also in the room then put a camera and microphone in front
of Salas and asked him why he had killed the 3 policemen. This video of his
"confession" was broadcast on Iran's state news agency, the Islamic Republic of
Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), on 20 February, the day after his arrest.
He was subsequently transferred to Shapour detention centre in Tehran, run by
the Investigation Unit of Iran's police (Agahi), which is notorious for
extracting "confessions" through torture, where he was held in solitary
confinement without access to his family or lawyer.
On 1 March 2018, weeks before Salas' trial had begun, Tehran's Police Chief and
Revolutionary Guards General Hossein Rahimi said in an interview with IRIB that
Mohammad Salas would be executed for the murder of the policemen, thus
violating the right to presumption of innocence.
Salas has said he was beaten in the Agahi detention centre and made to
"confess" in court that he had killed the policemen. He has said that his
beatings were so severe that one of his fingers was broken.
During the trial, state news agencies broadcast selected clips from the
courtroom, attempted to smear Mohammad Salas??? character by using details
about his personal life, and featured interviews with family members of the
deceased policemen stating they want the punishment of qesas (retribution in
kind) through his execution.
At the final trial session on 18 March 2018, he retracted his "confession" and
said that he only "confessed" because he had been tortured and threatened. He
denied murdering the policemen, and said he was already under arrest and in
detention, with several witnesses present, when they were killed.
According to information received by Amnesty International, there are several
witnesses, some of whom were also arrested at the protest, who were ready to
give eye witness testimonies to support Mohammad Salas' statement. According to
his lawyer, new witnesses have also claimed that the person behind the wheel of
the bus that ran over the policemen was a young man.
At no point was Mohammad Salas allowed a lawyer of his choosing, even though
his family had retained a lawyer to represent him. At trial, the judge did not
order any investigations into his allegations of torture, nor did he allow any
of the witnesses who could testify on behalf of Salas to do so.
Instead, on 19 March, using only the "confession" Mohammad Salas had made on
his hospital bed, Branch 9 of the Criminal Court of Tehran convicted Salas of
murder and sentenced him to death. The conviction and sentence were upheld by
the Supreme Court, which later rejected an application for a judicial review of
his case. His lawyer will submit a 2nd application for a judicial review to
Branch 35 of the Supreme Court on 17 June 2018.
Gonabadi Dervishes in Iran consider themselves to be Shi'a Muslims. They are
Sufis who describe Sufism as neither a religion nor a sect, but rather a way of
life by which people - from any religion - may find God. However, Iran's
Supreme Leader and influential figures deem their beliefs to be "false
mysticism". Consequently, Gonabadi Dervishes have faced discrimination,
harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention, imprisonment and flogging
sentences, and attacks on their sacred or important sites.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception
regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or
other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to
carry out the execution. The organization campaigns for the total abolition of
the death penalty.
(source: Amnesty International)
*********************
IHR STRONGLY CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF THE GONABADI DERVISH MOHAMMAD SALAS
Iran Human Rights (IHR) strongly condemns the execution of Mohammad Salas and
calls on the European Union and the countries that have diplomatic relations
with the Islamic Republic of Iran to play a more active role in preventing
human rights abuses in Iran.
In spite of all civil society protests and despite the repeated warnings of
human rights groups, the death sentence of Mohammad Salas was carried out early
the morning of June 18. Noting that the death penalty in its entirety is
inhumane, IHR insists that the principles of due process have not been
implemented in the trial of this Gonabadi dervish.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of IHR, said: "The Islamic Republic
of Iran's judiciary not only failed to investigate the reports of torture under
the interrogations and confessions, but also ignored the claims by Mr. Salas'
lawyer and family on the existence of new evidence proving his innocence
demanding for new investigations. Mohammad Salas was executed innocently since
he was not provided a fair trial and he insisted on his innocence. The
responsibility for this execution lies with the authorities of the Islamic
Republic, especially its leader Ali Khamenei, and they must be held accountable
for this crime."
IHR also calls on the European governments, especially the EU and Norway, to
play a more active role in dealing with human rights abuses in Iran.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam emphasized: "Perhaps more international pressure could
have saved Mohammad Thallath from execution. The international community,
especially the European countries, should recognize their role and
responsibility and must work harder to stop executions and other human rights
abuses in Iran."
(source: Iran Human Rights)
********************
Iran Executes Sufi Man Convicted Of Killing Police In Clashes
Iranian authorities have executed a man convicted of killing 3 police officers
during clashes involving members of a Sufi order, despite calls to stop his
execution.
The official website of Iran's judiciary said Mohammad Reza Salas was hanged
early on June 18.
"We are shocked and saddened to announce that Mohammad Salas was executed this
morning," Amnesty International said on Twitter.
The 51-year-old was convicted and sentenced to death in March following what
the London-based rights watchdog described as a "grossly unfair trial."
"In their haste to do justice, the authorities have trampled all over this
man's rights," Philip Luther, Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle
East and North Africa at ?Amnesty, said in a June 17 statement.
Luther cited Mohammad Reza Salas's denial of access to a lawyer before and
during his trial and the dismissal of "key defense witnesses who can testify
that he was already in detention when the three policemen were killed."
During the court hearings, Salas testified that he did not kill the police
officers intentionally, according to local media.
3 officers were left dead after they were run over by a bus during battles
between security forces and followers of one of Iran's largest Sufi orders in
Tehran in February.
Followers of the Nemattolah Gonabadi order, known as dervishes, were protesting
the arrest of members of the sect, as well as rumors that their 90-year-old
leader would soon be detained by police, despite assurances by the authorities
that they had no such intention.
2 members of the paramilitary Basij force were also killed in the skirmishes,
authorities said. Some 300 dervishes were reportedly arrested following the
violence.
Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, is not illegal in Iran but rights groups
accuse the Iranian government of harassment and discrimination against their
followers, including the Gonabadis, one of the largest Sufi sects.
Rights groups have repeatedly called on Iran, one of the world's leading
executioners, to abolish the death penalty.
Amnesty International said in a report published in April that 507 people were
executed in the country last year -- a 10 % decline compared to the previous
year.
(source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty)
BAHRAIN:
3 Shia Bahraini clerics sentenced to death, 8 others to life imprisonment
Bahraini regime officials have handed down death sentences to 3 Shia clergymen
and condemned 8 others to life imprisonment as the ruling Al Khalifah regime
continues with its repressive measures and heavy-handed crackdown on members of
the religious community.
Bahrain's dissolved main opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic
Society, announced in a statement that Shia religious figures are being
systematically subjected to arbitrary arrests, torture, trials, revocation of
citizenship as well as forced deportation.
The statement added that al-Wefaq has recorded more than 347 cases of arrests,
summons and various security prosecutions of Shia clerics in Bahrain.
It added that Bahraini security authorities have summoned more than 156 Shia
clergymen over their speeches, ideological tendencies or political views. They
have also arrested 99 religious scholars arbitrarily.
Al-Wefaq further noted that "harsh and unfair verdicts" have targeted more than
50 clerics, ranging from hefty fines and abolition nationality to life
imprisonment and death penalty.
The statement went on to say that 3 Shia scholars have been sentenced to death,
8 to life imprisonment and a number of others been stripped of their
citizenship. Among those whose nationality has been revoked are prominent
Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim and Sheikh Hussein Najati.
Al-Wefaq then dismissed the Al Khalifah regime's policy of persecution and
discrimination, stressing that authorities have no meaningful reform
initiatives at the level of human rights, especially concerning freedom of
religion and belief.
Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an
almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the country in
mid-February 2011.
They are demanding that the Al Khalifah dynasty relinquish power and allow a
just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.
Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March
14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed
to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.
Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained
injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime's crackdown.
On March 5, 2017, Bahrain's parliament approved the trial of civilians at
military tribunals in a measure blasted by human rights campaigners as being
tantamount to imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide.
Bahraini monarch King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah ratified the constitutional
amendment on April 3 last year.
(source: presstv.com)
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