15 Jan 12 | Bahrain Reports, Index Reports
The following report documents the findings of a delegation comprised of representatives from six international rights groups (three members and three partners of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, IFEX), which carried out a fact-finding mission between 20-30 November, 2011, in order to gain an understanding of the state of free expression and the status of human rights defenders in Bahrain. The 11 recommendations made in this report include calls to end the harassment, imprisonment and prosecution of Bahraini citizens for what essentially amount to persecution of free expression and legitimate human rights work.
The mission team was composed of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Front Line Defenders, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Index on Censorship, International Media Support (IMS) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International.
Following the fall of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, hundreds of thousands of Bahraini protesters took to the streets of Manama, the capital city, on 14 February, 2011, to peacefully call for democratic reform. Officials were quick to crack down on protests, and the access of the international media was limited almost immediately after the start of the protests. Unlike other citizens demonstrating across the Arab World in 2011, the protests in Bahrain have received very little coverage, particularly considering the disproportionate number of people jailed and killed in the tiny country of 1.2 million people. Furthermore, the messages of the protesters – calling for reform, equal rights and opportunities and greater democracy – have largely been distorted by both the government and the international community which have instead focused on sectarian interpretations and regional geopolitical issues.
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), an IFEX member and human rights organisation banned in Bahrain since 2004, asked that the government avoid the use of force against the peaceful protests, and respect the rights to assemble and express opinions freely. After an initial violent crackdown, leaving at least one protester dead, authorities in Bahrain seemed to backtrack and allow for protesters to congregate at Pearl Roundabout. Almost a month of openness followed, when demonstrations were allowed to proceed unhindered and prisoners were released (in late February and early March). But on 15 March 2011, King Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa declared a three-month State of National Safety, and a renewed crackdown on protesters took an increasingly violent and repressive turn.
Eight human rights defenders and activists were handed life sentences on 22 June 2011, and 13 others tried in the same case were handed lesser sentences, ranging between two to 15 years. Included in those given life sentences were Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, former head of BCHR and former Middle East and North Africa Protection Coordinator at Front Line Defenders, and Abduljalil al-Singace, renowned blogger and human rights defender, who is head of the human rights office of the Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy. Another renowned blogger, Ali Abdulemam, creator and owner of Bahrain Online, was also sentenced to life in absentia, after he went into hiding to avoid detention following his previous incarceration when he was badly tortured. One of the 11 recommendations of the mission is to release them immediately.
Although the focus of the mission was on freedom of expression, it was difficult to meet with journalists because many of them were in hiding or out of the country. Two journalists died following torture while in custody in April 2011- Zakariya Al Asheri and Karim Fakhrawi, and the mission calls for a full investigation into their deaths, and proper accountability. Reem Khalifa, a journalist for the independent newspaper Al-Wasat, has been charged with verbally abusing and physically assaulting a government supporter, even though she was the subject of abuse herself. Her case is emblematic of the harassment faced by independent journalists and writers who have spoken out against the violent tactics of the government. During the mission, a member of the mission was able to attend her trial.
A key recommendation of the report is to end the persecution of numerous doctors and medics who helped treat demonstrators and currently face jail terms, as well as many teachers, lawyers, writers, artists and other professionals who have been harassed and persecuted as a result of practising their professions and exercising their right to express themselves freely and peacefully. The mission coincided with the presentation of the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) by its Chairperson, Egyptian Cherif Bassiouni to the King on 23 November 2011. The mission explored attitudes and expectations concerning the report before its release, and reactions subsequent to its release. In line with the BICI report, the international mission also insists on accountability for those responsible for violating international human rights norms, in particular those responsible for torture and killing.
The mission met with human rights activists, demonstrators, members of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, members of political parties and government officials. The objectives included gaining an understanding of what occurred in February and March and the current state of free expression, particularly with regard to the government’s recent efforts to “heal” and “build a national dialogue.” Furthermore, the mission aimed to better facilitate an international conversation on the right to freedom of expression and assembly in Bahrain.
Read the full report
12 Dec 11 | Egypt
Until a little over a year ago, 29-year-old Karim (not his real name ) was happy and carefree. He had a good job, a stable income and many caring friends. Then he discovered he was HIV positive and his life changed entirely.
“It is as if I am living a nightmare. I constantly worry that someone will find out that I am living with HIV. I cannot bear the thought of being rejected by my family and friends,” says Karim.
Karim’s fear of being stigmatised and isolated is greater than his fear of death, he tells me. He is also plagued by a sense of guilt and has chosen to keep his HIV status a secret.
Low self esteem and fear of rejection are common sentiments shared by Egyptians living with HIV. Out of an estimated 11,000 people in Egypt living with HIV and AIDS, only five hundred are seeking treatment , according to UN reports. And none has publicly disclosed their status .
In the last decade, there has been a 268 per cent increase in HIV cases in Egypt, which UNAIDS Egypt refers to as an “epidemic growth” but which is also partly owed to efforts by the National AIDS Programme to improve HIV testing and reporting. Most transmissions occur sexually with the main mode being heterosexual (nearly 50 per cent.) Girls and women are particularly vulnerable due to their lower socioeconomic status , high illiteracy rates and weak access to prevention and services The widespread stigma associated with HIV is another barrier to ensuring access to prevention, care and treatment especially for high risk groups including streetchildren, sex workers, refugees and prisoners.
A new film currently showing in cinemas across Egypt is a pioneering attempt to change people’s attitudes and help lift the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.
Giving the virus a human face may help clear misconceptions about HIV /AIDS and eliminate people’s fear of the virus, says Wessam el Beih, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Egypt.
The film Asmaa is based on a true story of a middle-aged Egyptian woman living with HIV. The real life character died some years ago after doctors refused to perform a gall bladder surgery she so badly needed and which may have saved her life. It is a story about injustice but also one of courage and hope depicting the discrimination faced by Asmaa who eventualy overcomes her fear and stands up for her right to health care .
Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, who plays the lead role, hopes the film will encourage more people living with HIV to speak out and seek treatment. Sabry also hopes the media will put HIV/AIDS and other human rights issues as a priority on their agenda to help clear the misconceptions.
Sabry has campaigned vigorously for the rights of people living with HIV through her participation in forums and TV spots to raise public awareness.
El Beih blames the media for the ignorance and fear adding that”Egyptian media , especially the film industry has for years propagated misinformation and portrayed biased views about people living with HIV.”
Reinforcing stereotypes of people living with HIV has led to prejudice and discrimination against those living with HIV adding to the risk of increased infections.
Amr Salama, script writer and director of Asmaa says the film is timely as it is being screened in post-revolutionary Egypt.
“The fear barrier has been broken. We have to capitalise on that and recapture the spirit of the revolution. Egyptians are on the streets demanding social justice and equality. Discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS is a form of injustice.”
Salama, who has met many Egyptians living with HIV and heard their stories of suffering, sought to highlight the injustice they face and hoped that that would promote greater tolerance and compassion within the society. Salama was keen on showing the anger and emotional intensity he himself felt when speaking to the people living with HIV.
“What these people have to go through is unacceptable. The culture has become intolerant to the extent that the stigma exists even among those living with the virus themselves, ” he says.
In one scene, a man living with HIV who had shown interest in Asmaa walks away from her after she appears on TV to publicly announce that she is HIV positive.
The film was the brainchild of Egyptians living with HIV who had hoped to show their real life experiences in drama. “We thought that by identifying with us, people would overcome their fear and that this would help us gain acceptance,” says Karim. He and others infected with the virus were involved in the making of the film helping the cast give a factual portrayal of their experiences and daily struggles.
Karim was in the theatre when the film premiered in Cairo recently and was pleased with the enthusiastic response from the audience, which was made up mostly of media representatives, UN agencies, NGOs and medics.
“The film will go a long way in empowering people living with HIV and altering public perceptions,” stated Sawsan el Sheikh, who chairs the Egyptian AIDS Society.
The film has received rave reviews after being screened at a number of major international film festivals with one critic saying the “mix of drama and real life experiences and the humanitarian message of the film will directly touch people’s hearts and is likely to make a huge difference effecting positive social change.”
05 Dec 11 | Comment, Middle East and North Africa, News and features
A crisis in a new Egyptian newspaper over an academic’s criticism of the SCAF leadership does not bode well for the future of independent media
(more…)
05 Dec 11 | Egypt, Middle East and North Africa
The life of a two-week old English-language newspaper, Egypt Independent, was abruptly put on hold last week after its Editor-in-Chief, Magdi El-Gallad, decided to censor an opinion piece by US historian and author Dr Robert Springborg that was critical of the military and its leadership.
The article, entitled “Is Tantawi reading the public pulse correctly?”, said that Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who leads Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), could share the same fate as former president Hosni Mubarak and find himself in jail as a result of popular discontent with his management of the revolution’s transition process.
“Many in the military resent the reputation of their institution being abused by the Field Marshal and his 19 colleagues on the SCAF … the present rumblings of discontent among junior officers, Chief of Staff General Sami Anan’s greater popularity than the Field Marshal in the military and among Egyptians as a whole, and intensified pressure from the US could all result in the Field Marshal sharing President Mubarak’s fate,” Dr Springborg wrote in the
original version of the article.
Dr Springborg concluded by saying that “discontented officers not in the SCAF might decide that a coup within the coup would be the best way to save the honour of the country and their institution.”
This open critique of the military and implications of rumblings within army ranks crossed a major red line in Egypt’s press freedom: criticism of the military.
After the opinion piece was censored and toned down, the distribution of 20,000 copies of Egypt Independent’s second issue, due to come out on 1 December, was still prevented.
Egypt Independent was the new name adopted for Al-Masry Al-Youm’s English language edition, which has existed online for two years. Its management is affiliated with the privately-owned Arabic language daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, a widely read and popular newspaper in Egypt.
The printed version has been put on hold for now. But, the life of its daily online version, Al- Masry Al-Youm English, continues.
Press freedom under SCAF
The whole experience has brought to the fore the fact that overt criticism of the military remains a red line with serious consequences that few are willing to cross.
Magdi El-Galad presumably has close ties with the military as he was recently offered, though turned down, the position of information minister in the cabinet of SCAF-appointed Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri.
An old-fashioned mentality also remains about the power of the printed press versus its online counterpart. Some think that had Dr. Springborg’s piece been published online, it may not have been censored.
This is ironic given the fact that the internet, especially Facebook and Twitter, played important roles in initiating the revolutions of Tunisia and Egypt last winter, and continue to be essential information-sharing tools.
But it was a newspaper article published in the Arabic-language daily, Al-Shorouk, written by activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah that landed him in jail in October.
He wrote about the death of activist Mina Daniel during the army’s attack on peaceful Coptic protestors at Maspero, an area of Cairo known for housing the state television building. This left at least 29 people dead.
Alaa remains in a military jail, alongside blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, whose critical writings of the military also led to his imprisonment. He has been on a hunger strike for over 100 days.
Dina Abdel Rahman, a television presenter on the privately-owned Dream TV, was also fired in July for reporting on a newspaper article, which was critical of the SCAF.
Dina’s incident, as well as that of Egypt Independent, raise fears among journalists, and those concerned with freedom of the press that while under Mubarak it was mainly the state that intervened to curb criticism in the press, now the owners of private media, supposedly the freest in Egypt, and editors themselves are practicing self-censorship at the behest of the military.
But “self-censorship has always existed”, Naila Hamdy, assistant professor at the American University in Cairo’s department of journalism, told Index. “There were a couple of months of real freedom after 25 January, and although some may have reverted back to self-censorship, journalists are still bolder than they were before the revolution.”
She added: “Media professionals might hold back, because they decide it is better than getting shut down completely. It might be better to push the envelope slightly, than with no publication at all.”
And, how far the envelope can continue to be pushed depends on the success of the transition process from military to civilian rule, a process underway as Egypt conducts parliamentary elections.
