URGENT ACTION
Ebrahim Sharif, one of several prominent opposition leaders detained in Bahrain in March, was transferred on or around 10 April to a military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain. His family has not had access to him since he was detained. Amnesty International fears he might be at risk of torture or ill-treatment.
Ebrahim Sharif, Secretary General of the National Democratic Action Society (Waad), a secular political opposition association in Bahrain, was arrested at his house in Manama on 17 March. Since that day his family has not been allowed to visit him and he is believed to be held in military custody. Amnesty International has received reports that he may have been subjected to torture or other ill-treatment after his arrest.
Ebrahim Sharif was admitted to the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) military hospital in al-Riffa’, central Bahrain, reportedly for the second time on or around 10 April and his family does not know if he is still there. According to information received by Amnesty International, a patient at the hospital saw Ebrahim on 10 April and recognized him despite his swollen face, raising concerns that he may have been assaulted and otherwise tortured in detention. His family has officially requested visits to Ebrahim Sharif twice; the first time days after his arrest and the second time in the week of 18 April, but their requests have not received any answer from the authorities. Amnesty International fears that Ebrahim Sharif remains at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Ebrahim Sharif and five other prominent opposition leaders were arrested in connection with the protests that rocked Bahrain in February and March 2011. They are reportedly being interrogated by Bahrain’s Military Prosecution and they may be tried before a military court according to the “State of National Safety” — the state of emergency declared on 15 March 2011.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Arabic or your own language:
- Express concern that Ebrahim Sharif is a prisoner of conscience detained for his legitimate exercise of freedom of expression and other human rights;
- Urge the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally and to protect him from torture or other ill-treatment;
- Urge the authorities to immediately set up an independent investigation into his alleged torture or other ill-treatment, to make its results public, and bring to justice anyone responsible for torture or other ill-treatment;
- Urge the authorities to respect and uphold the rights to freedom expression, movement and assembly in Bahrain, including the right to peaceful protest.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 1 JUNE 2011 TO:
King
Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 17664587
Salutation: Your Majesty
Prime Minister
Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 17533033
Salutation: Your Highness
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P. O. Box 450, Diplomatic Area, Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 31 284
Salutation: Your Excellency
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Further information: <www.amnesty.org/library/info/MDE11/017/2011/en>. Cf. Free Ebrahim Sharif Campaign, “Free Ebrahim Sharif, a Political Prisoner in Bahrain” (MRZine, 22 April 2011).
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