UN calls for release of jailed Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab

A special United Nations panel is urging Bahrain to immediately release imprisoned activist Nabeel Rajab, describing him as the victim of government-sponsored “persecution” for his political views in the island kingdom. The statement by the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention comes as Rajab is serving a five-year prison sentence for tweets he sent, a case widely criticized internationally as the kingdom’s government continues a crackdown on dissent.

See also ADHRB.

Al-Ghuraifi Says Sheikh Isa Qassim’s Health Situation Stable, He Has High Spirit

2018-07-20 – 4:10 p Bahrain Mirror: Sayed Abdullah Al-Ghuraifi, one of senior Shiite clerics in Bahrain, said that the health situation of spiritual leader of Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim is “stable”. He added in a sermon he delivered in Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque on Thursday (July 19, 2018) that the medical examinations of Sheikh Isa are “continuous and under care of senior consultants”.

Bahraini Top Shia Cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim in London to Receive Urgent Medical Care

9 July 2018 – Today, Bahrain’s most prominent Shia cleric, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, arrived in London to receive medical treatment. He landed at 3:31pm at Heathrow Airport from Bahrain International Airport on Gulf Air flight GF003. It appears that Sheikh Isa Qassim has been suffering from an “undisclosed illness” and recently fell and hurt himself….

Incidents of Anti-Shiism in June 2018 – Shia Rights Watch

Anti-Shiism is extended to June, and compared to May, the number of people killed and wounded has almost tripled. With 206 cases of anti-Shiism, Shia Muslims continue to be under attack in countries like Bahrain, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Shia Muslims have faced inhuman outcomes of discrimination with sentencing, arrests, anti-Shia speech, …

Sectarian Non-Entrepreneurs: The Experience of Everyday Sectarianism in Bahrain and Kuwait
Thomas Fibiger
Middle East Critique, Volume 27, Issue 3, September 2018

Muslim Cultures in the Indian Ocean

Explore the diversity of Muslim cultures prevalent in the Indian Ocean region where, historically, Muslims have interacted for centuries.

Bahrain: Exonerate, Free Nabeel Rajab

The Bahraini government should drop its charges against a prominent Bahraini human rights defender for peacefully expressing his views and order his immediate release, Human Rights Watch said today. The Manama Appeals Court is scheduled to issue its final ruling on June 5, 2018 on an appeal by the rights defender, Nabeel Rajab.

Bahrain Moves to Ban Opposition Ahead of 2018 Elections

30 May 2018 – The National Assembly, Bahrain’s parliament, has advanced new legislation that will virtually ban members of the political opposition from seeking election. Both houses of the National Assembly have approved the measure, and the king may confirm it at any time.

For ABHRB Newsletter 253, click here.

Verdict in Appeal for Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab set for 5 June

21 May 2018 – On Sunday, 20 May 2018, Bahrain’s High Court of Appeal adjourned until 5 June to issue its ruling on whether to uphold the five-year prison sentence against human rights defender Nabeel Rajab on charges that patently violate his right to free expression.

And ‘ADHRB Condemns Unfair Trial, Imminent Executions in Bahrain’

Incidents of Anti-Shiism in April, 2018 – Shia Rights Watch

With 673 incidents of anti-Shiism during the month of April, Shia repression is on the rise. The reduction in February and March from January’s equivalent 673 incidents was too good to be true, as this month concluded with 128 deaths, 180 injuries, 236 arrests, 114 sentencing, and 18 other anti-Shia actions such as denial …