CHILDREN DETAINED FOR 'RIOTING'

10-year-old Jehad Nabeel al-Samee’ and 13-year-old ‘Abdullah Yousif al-Bahraini, are being held in a juvenile detention centre for investigation. They were brought before the Juvenile Prosecution on 18 December, accused of “attacking a police patrol with stones” and “illegal gathering and rioting”.

On 16 December 2013 a march was taking place in Jid Hafs, just outside the capital, Manama. The children were arrested by riot police present at the march and taken to the al-Khamis Police Station at approximately 4pm.  They were subsequently accused of throwing stones at a police patrol.

The children were released that night and their parents were ordered to bring them back to the police station on 18 December, from where they were taken to the Juvenile Prosecution.

On 18 December, they were questioned by the Juvenile Prosecution and their detention was ordered pending investigation. 

Although their lawyer’s representative was present, 10-year-old Jehad did not understand what was said to him and inadvertently admitted to taking part in the march and seeing Abdullah, who he did not know, wearing a mask and throwing stones. He denied throwing stones himself.

‘Abdullah denied any involvement in the march and further denied covering his face or throwing stones at the police.  He said that during interrogation he was hit on the back of the neck, threatened with electric shocks and forced to sign “confessions”. They are both facing charges of “illegal gathering and rioting” and “attacking a police patrol with stones”.

Jehad’s father was allowed to visit his son for five minutes on 19 December, and has said that his son was very frightened and was shaking. ‘Abdullah was taken to a forensic doctor after he had made allegations of being hit.

Please write immediately in Arabic, English or your own language:

Urging the authorities to ensure that Jehad Nabeel al-Samee’ and ‘Abdullah Yousif al-Bahraini are treated in accordance with the international standards of juvenile justice;

Urging them to protect both boys from torture and other ill-treatment;

Calling on them to order an independent investigation into the reported torture or other ill-treatment of ‘Abdullah Yousif al-Bahraini and bring anyone responsible to account.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 JANUARY 2014 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: 00973 1766 4587

Salutation: Your Majesty

Minister of Interior

Shaikh Rashid bin ‘Abdullah Al Khalifa

Ministry of Interior

P.O. Box 13, al-Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: 00973 1723 2661

Twitter: @moi_Bahrain

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And copies to:

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs

Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa

Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs

P. O. Box 450, al-Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: 00973 1753 1284

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Khaled_Bin_Ali

Salutation: Your Excellency

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEAL TO

Her Excellency Miss Alice Thomas Yusuf Samaan, Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, 30 Belgrave Square

London, SW1X 8QB.

Fax: 020 7201 9183        Tel: 020 7201 9170

Email: [email protected]

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