Bahrain: Alleged arbitrary detentions

                                  
                          Case BHR 080399

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT 
intervention regarding the following situation in Bahrain.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat has just been informed by the Bahrain 
Human Rights Organisation (BHRO), member of the OMCT network, of 
the concern for the physical and psychological integrity of at least 54 
persons, 35 adults and 19 minors,  held in detention in Bahrain (regarding 
the minors, see Appeal Case BHR 080399.CC released today) .

According to the BHRO, during the month of February 1999,  at least 35 
adults from Karzakan, Bilad Al-Qadim, Borhama, Duraz, Daih, Jedali, 
Iskan A'ali, Isa Town, Arad,  were arrested in further waves of arrests.  

Among the detained persons, Mr. Seyed Adnan Seyed Hashim, from 
Duraz, was arrested on the 27th of  February 1999.  He has been carrying 
out the duties of the detained religious scholar Sheikh Sadiq Al-Durazi, 
at the Al-Sadiq mosque in Duraz.  It has been reported that after giving 
his Friday sermon at the mosque, the victim was detained from his home.

Furthermore, Sheikh (his complete name is not available), a religious 
scholar, was arrested on the 26th of February 1999, shortly after his Friday 
sermon.

The complete list of detainees is available at the International Secretariat. 

Action requested

Please write to the Bahrain authorities urging that they 

i.  take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and 
    psychological integrity of the persons held in detention, and 
    order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal 
    charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial 
    and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights in 
    all times;

  ii. carry out a full and impartial investigation into the alleged 
    arbitrary detentions, in order to identify those responsible, bring 
    them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative 
    sanctions provided by law;

iii.	put an immediate end to the use of arbitrary detention of  people by 
the police;

iv. abrogate 1974 State Security Law and all national laws which are 
    not in compliance with international human rights standards. 

v.  guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental 
    freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national 
    laws and international standards, in particular those established 
    in the Convention against Torture, ratified by Bahrain. 

Addresses

His Highness Sheik Hamad,, Office of His Highness the Amir, P.O. Box 
555, The Amiri Court, Rifa'a Palace, Bahrain. Fax + 973 668884. Telex 
8666 Qasar BN; 8500 Qasar BN
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, 
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain.
Telex 9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN. FAX+ 973 533033.
His Excellency Al-Shaikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of 
Interior, P.O. Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain. Fax + 973 276765 or 290526 or 
754303. Telex 9572 PSMKT BN OR 8333 ALAMAN BN

  Geneva,8 March 1999

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.