Ali Abdulemam: BahrainAli A

Status:
Update February 23, 2011: Ali was released after the Bahrain King ordered the release of a group of prisoners, including political prisoners from ongoing demonstrations, among them Ali Abdulemam. See the press release here.

Activism:
Director of the online news blog, http://www.bahrainonline.org, and human rights defender. He received a summons to report to the national security department and was arrested on allegations of disseminating false information due to his publications on the leading pro-democracy blog in Bahrain. He was also charged with suspicion of belonging to an alleged terrorist organization, according to the L.A. Times.

Current Situation in Country:
It is estimated that over 250 Shiites, mostly youth, have been arrested due to an alleged government crack down on a “sophisticated terrorist network operating with international support” (Gulf Daily News). These arrests have likely been made in an attempt to protect Sunni government control in the upcoming election on October 23rd.

More Information:
http://en.rsf.org/spip.php?page=impression&id_article=38298http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2010/09/05/bahrain-bahraini-blogger-arrested/http://www.wmd.org/alerts/prominent-blogger-and-activist-arrested-bahrain

Suggestions for Action:
Organize a letter and phone campaign to the Bahraini authorities to demand that they release or charge Ali Abdulemam, and that the government stop using fear tactics to intimidate dissidents, but allow freedom of expression and a democratic election to take place this October. Urge the government to allow him to contact a lawyer and his family to let them know his condition.

    • Cheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain,
      Fax: +973 176 64 587
    • Cheikh Khaled Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
      Tel: +9 73 172 27 555; Fax: +9 73 172 12 6032
    • Cheikh Khaled Bin Ali Al Khalifa, Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs,
      Tel: +9 73 175 31 333; Fax: +9 73 175 31 284
    • Permanent Mission of Bahrain to the UN in Geneva:
      1 Chemin Jacques-Attenville
      1218 Grand-Saconnex, CP 39
      1292 Chambesy, Switzerland
      Fax: +41 22 758 96 50
      Email:       info@bahrain-mission.ch