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Qatar: Poet sentenced to life imprisonment; fears for safety
PEN International WiPC | RAN 72/12 update #1 03 Dec 2012
The Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International condemns the life sentence handed down on 29 November 2012 to poet Mohammed Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami for allegedly ‘inciting the overthrow of the ruling regime’ and ‘criticising the ruler’ in a poem. PEN International believes that Al-Mallouhi is sentenced solely for peacefully excercising his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
Amnesty International gives the following background:
Poet Mohammed al-Ajami (also known as Mohammed Ibn al-Dheeb) had been arrested by state security on 16 November 2011 in the capital, Doha, and charged with “inciting to overthrow the ruling system” and “insulting the Amir”. He had presented himself to state security when summoned, and been immediately arrested. He was detained incommunicado for months before he was allowed family visits and has been held in solitary confinement during his entire detention. He is detained in Doha's Central Prison.
The prosecution is reported to have brought the charges over a 2010 poem in which Mohammed al-Ajami criticized the Amir. However, activists in the Gulf region believe that the real reason for his arrest was his 2011 work “the Jasmine Poem”, which he wrote during the wave of protests throughout the Arab world that began in December 2010. The poem criticized Gulf states and read: “we are all Tunisia in the face of the repressive elite”.
His trial, which began in November 2011 at the Criminal Court in Doha, is said to have been marred by irregularities, with the court sessions held in secret. His lawyer was not allowed to attend one of the court sessions and had to provide his defence in writing only.
He was sentenced to life in prison on 29 November by the same court. Observers were not allowed to enter the court, and Mohammed al-Ajami himself was not present at the sentencing. He is expected to appeal. A copy of the verdict obtained by Amnesty International gives no reason for the harsh sentence, but the organization understands that the charges on which he was convicted were based on the content of his poetry.
Freedom of expression is strictly controlled in Qatar, hampering freedom of the press and contributing to self-censorship among the media. Poets, bloggers, journalists and other civilians cannot speak their minds without fear of facing incommunicado detention, secret trials and other harsh repercussions.
Qatar’s accession to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism in May 2008 further threatened free speech, as its provisions risk criminalizing legitimate activities.
For further background go to:
PEN International’s previous action on the case: http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/qatar-poet-detained-unfair-trial-and-fears-of-ill-treatment/
Amnesty International’s annual report 2012 http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/qatar/report-2012
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-qatar-poet-court-idUSBRE8AS11320121129
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the life sentence handed down to poet Mohammed al-Ajami;
- Expressing concerns for al-Ajami’s safety, and seeking assurances that he is not being tortured or ill-treated in detention, which violates Article 5 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR);
- Urging the authorities to abide by their obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and to immediately and unconditionally release poet Al-Ajami, who is detained solely for the peaceful expression of his opinion.
Send appeals:
Amir of the State of Qatar
Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
PO Box 923
Doha, State of Qatar
Fax: + 974 4436 1212
Salutation: Your Highness
Minister of the Interior
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al Thani
Ministry of the Interior
PO Box 920
Doha, State of Qatar
Fax: + 974 4444 4945 (keep trying)
Email: info@moi.gov.qa
Salutation: His Excellency
And copies to:
Attorney General
Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri
PO Box 705
Doha, State of Qatar
Fax: +974 4484 3211
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Qatar in your country if possible.
***Please contact this office if sending appeals after 31 December 2012***
For further information please contact Ghias Aljundi at PEN International Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: ghias.aljundi@pen-international.org
