Bahrain – Human rights defender
Mr Ahmed Radhi subjected to travel ban
Ahmed Radhi
On 30 July 2014, Mr Ahmed Radhi was banned from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was detained for fifteen hours in the Dubai International Airport and was then deported to Bahrain.
Ahmed Radhi is a journalist and human rights defender. He advocates for press and media freedom and documents human rights violations. He is a member of the Bahrain Monitor for Human Rights and collaborates with several national and international newspapers and media outlets.
Upon his arrival in Dubai International Airport, where he had planned to spend the Eid vacation (a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide), Ahmed Radhi was informed by airport security in Dubai that his name was blacklisted for travel according to orders of official authority. This travel ban was reportedly issued as the human rights defender poses a threat to UAE national security. Ahmed Radhi was deported to Bahrain after fifteen hours' detention in the Dubai International Airport.
On 16 May 2012, Ahmed Radhi was detained for four months without a trial and was banned from travelling to Saudi Arabia for 10 years. This detention was reportedly linked to a news report developed by the human rights defender rejecting the 'Gulf Union' (the Gulf Cooperation Council) and its security implications. Ahmed Radhi was detained without charge and tortured in 1995, which was believed to be related to his human rights work.
The authorities in Bahrain and other Gulf countries make frequent use of travel bans as a means of hindering the work of human rights defenders. These travel bans have been issued pursuant to a security agreement signed by Gulf Cooperation Council states in Riyadh on 23 November 2013, which focuses on inter-state exchange of information and searching of those who violate the law.
Posted 2014/8/7
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