BCHR Condemns Violence and Calls for Transparent and Impartial Investigation Into Death of Bahraini Woman
On 30 June 2016, a Bahraini woman, Fakhriya Msallam Ahmed Hasan (42 years old), was reportedly killed and her three children injured in an alleged bombing incident that took place near Al-Ekar village. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) strongly condemns the violence that led to the death of Msallam, and calls on all parties to refrain from the use of violence. BCHR also calls for an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident to determine the true cause of death, the identity of its perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
On 1 July 2016, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement reporting that “a terrorist bombing killed a Bahraini woman and injured three children who were with her in her car. They were hit by shrapnel from a blast in East Ekar.” The statement also mentioned that “an investigation has been launched to identify and arrest those involved.”
There are conflicting narratives regarding the incident and the cause of Msallam’s death and injury of her children, as well as conflicting accusations concerning the responsibility for this tragic event. BCHR vehemently advocates for the need to run an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the case. The government should not use arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment and torture to drive its investigation, as has been observed in some previous cases. Rights, due process and fair trials should be guaranteed to anyone who is arrested in this case.
Additionally, the government of Bahrain should not use this case to further clamp down on the civil society in Bahrain. Since the beginning of June, Bahrain has arrested a leading human rights defender, revoked the nationality of the highest religious figure in Bahrain, closed down the largest political society in the country, and banned several activists from leaving the country to attend the UN Human Rights Council’s 32nd Session and other human rights events abroad.
Finally, BCHR call on the government of Bahrain to take serious steps toward an actual dialogue to end the growing unrest in the country, and to resolve the outstanding human rights issues.