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Press Release
Bahrain: Detaining the Manager of "Bahrain Online" is a violation to the Freedom of Expression
Cairo - February 28, 2005
Cairo- 28 February 2005, The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned today the Bahraini Security Forces for detaining "Aly Abdel Imam", the manager of the famous website "Bahrain Online". Imam was detained with alleged charges of disseminating false news and rumors; publicly incite hatred of regime and disdaining the regime.
The Bahraini security broke Imam's house yesterday after noon, when they did not find him, they left him a note to head for the National Security Department. When he went there, he was detained. The public prosecution ordered 15 days- detention on the basis of fabricated and widely- explained charges that can not be brought against any one in a civil state.
"With detaining Aly Abdel Imam, it seems that the Bahraini authorities would like its citizens not to forget the continuous political repression and freedom of expression violations. Recently, there has been Abdel Hady Al-Khawaja, and currently, it is Imam, the tow of them did not commit any unlawful actions, they only practiced their rights to freedom of expression" said Gamal Eid, HRinfo's executive director.
According to the information that were reported to HRinfo, Abdel Imam has claimed responsibility of the "Bahrain online" website, he also claimed for his right to free expression and access to information as safeguarded by the Bahraini laws and constitution. This traps the Bahraini security, as well as it adds the Bahraini government to the list of states that violate the freedom of expression and attempt to silence the pro-reform voices and those who censure the deteriorated political condition.
Worthy mentioning that the Bahrain Online website, known with Bahrain Forum (www.bahrainonline.org) has been initiated in 1998, right after the so called period (Political Openness Period), it was banned several times. This repetitive bans were mentioned in HRinfo's report about the Internet use in the Arab world, issued in june 2004. The Bahrain Online website has been very active in the defense of the freedom of expression during the events of al-Khawaja's detention.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information asserts that realizing the freedom of expression can not be just claims in the statements of some governments; it is an actual practice, that have not been exercised for so long in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is time to allow Bahraini people to enjoy their right to free expression, that will not be accomplished, unless Imam is released, and the assaults on the Bahraini activists are stopped.
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The published articles reflect the author's opinion, either individual or organization, it does not necessarily present the Network's opinion
