National Security Agency (Bahrain)
Encyclopedia
The National Security Agency or National Security Apparatus is an investigating authority in Bahrain
that is associated with but not formally part of the Ministry of the Interior
. The NSA was formed after King Hamad issued Decree No. 14 of 2002 declaring it as the replacement of the General Directorate for State Security Investigations.
The National Security Agency has been accused of torture
and targeting of human rights defenders and opposition political activists.
The NSA director is appointed by the King, has cabinet rank, and is a member of the Supreme Defence Council along with the Minister of Interior. The most senior positions of the NSA are occupied by relatives of the King, while the majority of the agency's employees are non-Bahraini citizens. In addition, Shi'ites make up only 4% of the NSA's employees, despite being a majority of Bahrain's population.
The current director of the NSA is Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, a cousin of King Hamad and a member of the Al Khalifa
royal family of Bahrain. Khalifa bin Abdullah was appointed on March 23, 2008, prior to which he was serving as Bahrain's ambassador to London. He had previously been the acting CEO of Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation
and director of Press and Foreign Media Relations.
Prior to Khalifa bin Abdullah, the position of NSA director was occupied by another cousin of the King, Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid Al Khalifa, who was appointed in September 2005, and is the current ambassador to London.. The first director of the NSA was another cousin of the King, Abdul Aziz bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa, who was appointed by the King in May 2002.
Before 2002, the NSA was organized as the 'General Directorate for State Security Investigations' , also known as 'Security and Intelligence Service'. It was headed by Ian Henderson from 1971 to 1998. Adel Flaifel
served in the organization until 2002.
The National Security Agency oversees the Special Security Force Command
(SSFC) which itself is accused of human rights violations.
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
that is associated with but not formally part of the Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior (Bahrain)
The Ministry of the Interior is the Interior ministry of Bahrain. It is responsible for law enforcement and public safety in Bahrain. The headquarter of the ministry is at the Diwan Fort in Manama, coloquially referred to as "al-gal'aa".The current interior minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh...
. The NSA was formed after King Hamad issued Decree No. 14 of 2002 declaring it as the replacement of the General Directorate for State Security Investigations.
The National Security Agency has been accused of torture
Torture in Bahrain
Torture in Bahrain refers to the violation of Bahrain’s obligations as a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other international treaties and disregard for the prohibition of torture enshrined in Bahraini...
and targeting of human rights defenders and opposition political activists.
The NSA director is appointed by the King, has cabinet rank, and is a member of the Supreme Defence Council along with the Minister of Interior. The most senior positions of the NSA are occupied by relatives of the King, while the majority of the agency's employees are non-Bahraini citizens. In addition, Shi'ites make up only 4% of the NSA's employees, despite being a majority of Bahrain's population.
The current director of the NSA is Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, a cousin of King Hamad and a member of the Al Khalifa
Al Khalifa
The Al Khalifa family is the ruling family of Bahrain. The Al Khalifa profess Sunni Islam and belong to the Anizah tribe that migrated from Najd to Kuwait in the early 18th century. They are also from the Utub tribe...
royal family of Bahrain. Khalifa bin Abdullah was appointed on March 23, 2008, prior to which he was serving as Bahrain's ambassador to London. He had previously been the acting CEO of Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation
Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation
Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation is a Corporation established in January 1993 to regulate visual and audio broadcasting in the Kingdom of Bahrain according to Amir decree . 96.5 fm Bahrain Radio Timings: ...
and director of Press and Foreign Media Relations.
Prior to Khalifa bin Abdullah, the position of NSA director was occupied by another cousin of the King, Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid Al Khalifa, who was appointed in September 2005, and is the current ambassador to London.. The first director of the NSA was another cousin of the King, Abdul Aziz bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa, who was appointed by the King in May 2002.
Before 2002, the NSA was organized as the 'General Directorate for State Security Investigations' , also known as 'Security and Intelligence Service'. It was headed by Ian Henderson from 1971 to 1998. Adel Flaifel
Adel Flaifel
Colonel Adel Jassim Flaifel is a former colonel in the State Security and Intelligence Service of Bahrain. He is accused of committing, or overseeing, acts of physical and psychological torture on Bahraini citizens from 1980s until 1997...
served in the organization until 2002.
The National Security Agency oversees the Special Security Force Command
Special Security Force Command
The Special Security Force Command is a paramilitary law enforcement body in Bahrain under the command of the National Security Agency, associated with the Ministry of the Interior...
(SSFC) which itself is accused of human rights violations.