BFHR’s “Release the Prisoners of Bahrain” webinar calls for immediate & unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience & maintaining transitional justice

In parallel with the “Release Bahrain Prisoners” cyber campaign, the Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (BFHR) has organized a webinar on its Instagram platform (Saturday evening, April 27, 2024) with the participation of Activist Ali Muhanna;  Former member of the Al-Wefaq Shura Council, Youssef Rabie;  The spokesman for the Bahrain’s Political Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, Jaafar Yahya.  The webinar has been moderated by journalist Sondoss Al Asaad.

Muhanna: Official watchdogs deliberately ignore our inquiries regarding depriving our detaineed sons of their rights

The father of political prisoner Hussein Muhanna, activist Ali Muhanna, pointed out that the fall of Hussein Al-Ramram, a victim of medical negligence, has prompted the families of the political detainees to return to the streets. This in parallel prompted the authority to absorb the popular anger and release the large batch of prisoners of conscience on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.  He added that the demands of these families are not new, but are the same as those that have been raised since 2011, and that they are determined to continue their peaceful movement.

Regarding their meeting with the state-run National Institution for Human Rights, Muhanna noted that those in charge of it deliberately ignored their inquiries regarding depriving their sons of communication rights and the authority’s insistence on calling them “criminals.”  He revealed that he is still deprived of communication with his son, who is detained in solitary confinement.

Activist Ali Muhanna denounced the hate speech pursued by some “sedition instigators,” stressing that the reason for their taking to the streets and their arbitrary arrest was their peaceful demand for their minimum freedoms.  He continued that the families are committed to this righteous path despite the slander directed at them by the paid press and suspicious voices in recent years.

On the other hand, Muhanna expressed his appreciation for the steadfastness of the families of Palestinian detainees in the prisons of the Israeli occupation entity, denouncing the torture and brutal violations they are subjected to. He stressed that they are role models of sacrifice and patience for the sake of freedom and dignity.

Yousef Rabie: Bahrain does not need political prisons; victims should be compensated

In turn, former former member of the Al-Wefaq’s Shura Council, Yousef Rabie, praised the efforts of the families of political detainees, pointing out that the prevailing repressive security methodology made Bahrain a hub for the four worst prisons in which political revenge is practiced against citizens, instead of seeking to find development institutions that advance Bahrain, confirming that the country does not need political prisons.

Rabei added that the recent releases are an appreciated step in the right direction, holding the Bahraini government legally, morally and legitimately responsible for the injustices befalling those still behind bars. He also stressed the necessity of continuing with corrective measures to preserve their rights stipulated in international laws, in accordance with the principle of reparations. He added that the intransigence in restricting political prisoners deprives Bahrain of their competencies, pointing out that Bahrain’s government seeks to manipulate them as a pressure card in any future negotiation with the opposition forces, ignoring its legal obligations, which are evident in the necessity of achieving transitional justice and compensating citizens for the violations they have been exposed to through: Holding those involved accountable;  Initiating national reconciliation that will bring Bahrain out of its current crisis; Prosecutions for torturers;  Reparations for victims;  Reforming official oversight bodies to fulfill their true role; Forming investigation committees into patterns of violations to protect the Bahraini society from any abuses and violations.

Rabie called for intensifying popular embrace of the freed citizens to help them achieve rapid integration within their communities, hoping for the soon release of the rest of the detainees especially the Secretary-General of Al-Wefaq Society, His Eminence Sheikh Ali Salman, the rest of the opposition leaders, and all prisoners of conscience.

Rabie concluded by renewing the call to grant former and current detainees complete, unconditional and non-degrading freedom.

Jaafar Yahya: Prisoners of conscience have the right to unrestricted freedom

The spokesman for the Bahrain’s Political Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, Jaafar Yahya, confirmed that Bahrain’s political detainees are prisoners of conscience and have the right to full freedom.  He noted that the Bahraini people highlighted the injustice of these detainees, who are members of the national elite, stressing that the authorities have been weakened as a result of their insistence and steadfastness, so what is required is to move forward in the solidarity movement with them. 

Yahya concluded his statement by revealing that the victim of medical negligence, Hussein Al-Ramraam, passed away as a result of the inaction of the Jau Prison administration, which is an ongoing suffering.