Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri
Encyclopedia
Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri , also spelled Al Asheri and Aushayri, (1971– April 9, 2011), a forty-year-old Bahraini blogger and journalist, worked as an editor and writer for a local blog news website in Al Dair
, Bahrain
. He was killed on April 9, 2011 while in custody of the Bahraini Government. al-Ashiri was the first journalist in Bahrain to die in direct relation to his work since The Committee to Protect Journalists started keeping records in 1992, and he was the first to die in the 2011 Bahraini uprising
.
al-Ashiri was also the second blogger-journalist worldwide to have been killed for his blogging. al-Ashiri follows the death two years earlier of Iranian Omid Reza Mir Sayafi
, who was the first blogger to have been known to be killed for his publication. Two months after al-Ashiri, Brazilian blogger Edinaldo Filgueira
was killed in June 2011.
, a series of protests to gain greater political freedom, began in February 2011. Protesters set up camp at the Pearl Roundabout
in Manama
and continued until March. After a month, the Bahraini government sent in troops and police forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council while the king of Bahrain
declared martial law and a three-month state of emergency.
The protests continued for several months after. Police forces raided Shia homes, carried out beatings at checkpoints, and denied those in need of medical attention. As a result, nearly 800 people were arrested and a total of four were reported dead while in government custody.
Another journalist Karim Fakhrawi died 12 April in Bahraini also while in detention and was similar in that officials said he died of kidney failure.
(BICI) conducted an investigation into deaths and torture claims among other civil rights abuses committed during the protests.
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry released its report 23 November 2011, and in the report, al-Asheri's case (no. 24) was investigated and classified under "Deaths Caused by Torture." The Commission's fact finding documents confirmed that al-Asheri did have bruises over his body from torture and died while at the Dry Dock Detention Centre and in custody of the Ministry of Interior. A witness who was in detention with him said al-Asheri was beaten and he heard a guard say, "He is dead," at which point those in the same cell were moved.
in Washington, D.C. will be adding his name along with other journalists who have died while reporting to the Journalists Memorial Wall.
Almira Al Husaini, who is also a Bahrain internet blogger, stated his belief that the government “has an army of officials to monitor the Internet”. He also believes that the president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
was mistaken for al-Ashiri and was prosecuted for sending a tweet.
Al Dair
Al Dair is a village in Bahrain on the northern coast of Muharraq Island. It lies north of the Bahrain International Airport, and north west of Samaheej village....
, Bahrain
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...
. He was killed on April 9, 2011 while in custody of the Bahraini Government. al-Ashiri was the first journalist in Bahrain to die in direct relation to his work since The Committee to Protect Journalists started keeping records in 1992, and he was the first to die in the 2011 Bahraini uprising
2011 Bahraini uprising
The 2011 Bahraini uprising, sometimes called the February 14 Revolution is a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of civil resistance, in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain...
.
al-Ashiri was also the second blogger-journalist worldwide to have been killed for his blogging. al-Ashiri follows the death two years earlier of Iranian Omid Reza Mir Sayafi
Omid Reza Mir Sayafi
Omid Reza Mir Sayafi , a 29-year old Iranian blogger and journalist died in Evin Prison in Tehran on March 18, 2009.Mir Sayafi was the first blogger to have died while in prison for his publication...
, who was the first blogger to have been known to be killed for his publication. Two months after al-Ashiri, Brazilian blogger Edinaldo Filgueira
Edinaldo Filgueira
Edinaldo Filgueira, also spelled Ednaldo, , a Brazilian blogger and journalist, editor, and owner of the newspaper and online Jornal o Serrano in Serra do Mel, Brazil, was assassinated by gunmen as he left work. Filgueira was also active in party politics...
was killed in June 2011.
Context
The 2011 Bahraini uprising2011 Bahraini uprising
The 2011 Bahraini uprising, sometimes called the February 14 Revolution is a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of civil resistance, in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain...
, a series of protests to gain greater political freedom, began in February 2011. Protesters set up camp at the Pearl Roundabout
Pearl Roundabout
Pearl Roundabout or Lulu Roundabout was a roundabout located near the financial district of Manama, Bahrain...
in Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
and continued until March. After a month, the Bahraini government sent in troops and police forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council while the king of Bahrain
King of Bahrain
The King of Bahrain is the monarch and head of state of Bahrain. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title of Hakim, and, from 1971 until 2002, the title of Emir...
declared martial law and a three-month state of emergency.
The protests continued for several months after. Police forces raided Shia homes, carried out beatings at checkpoints, and denied those in need of medical attention. As a result, nearly 800 people were arrested and a total of four were reported dead while in government custody.
Death
On April 2, 2011 al-Ashiri was arrested and charged with providing false news, inciting hatred towards the regime and calling for an overthrow of the government. On April 9, 2011, just seven days after his arrest, al-Ashiri was reported dead while in government custody under mysterious circumstances. Authorities claim that he died of complications due to "sickle cell anemia." The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that that this diagnosis was denied by family members. Photos later surfaced of al-Ashiri's corpse, which displayed cuts and gashes, and added further evidence that al-Ashiri had been beaten to death. As a result, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Bahraini authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on his death.Another journalist Karim Fakhrawi died 12 April in Bahraini also while in detention and was similar in that officials said he died of kidney failure.
Investigation
The Bahrain Independent Commission of InquiryBahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry also known locally in Bahrain as Bassiouni Commission was established by the King of Bahrain on 29 June 2011 tasked with looking into the incidents that occurred during the period of unrest in Bahrain in February and March 2011 and the consequences of...
(BICI) conducted an investigation into deaths and torture claims among other civil rights abuses committed during the protests.
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry released its report 23 November 2011, and in the report, al-Asheri's case (no. 24) was investigated and classified under "Deaths Caused by Torture." The Commission's fact finding documents confirmed that al-Asheri did have bruises over his body from torture and died while at the Dry Dock Detention Centre and in custody of the Ministry of Interior. A witness who was in detention with him said al-Asheri was beaten and he heard a guard say, "He is dead," at which point those in the same cell were moved.
Reactions
In response to his death, the NewseumNewseum
The Newseum is an interactive museum of news and journalism located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The seven-level, museum features 15 theaters and 14 galleries. The Newseum's Berlin Wall Gallery includes the largest display of sections of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany...
in Washington, D.C. will be adding his name along with other journalists who have died while reporting to the Journalists Memorial Wall.
Almira Al Husaini, who is also a Bahrain internet blogger, stated his belief that the government “has an army of officials to monitor the Internet”. He also believes that the president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is a Bahraini non-profit non-governmental organisation which works to promote human rights in Bahrain, which was founded by a number of Bahraini activist in June 2002...
was mistaken for al-Ashiri and was prosecuted for sending a tweet.
Career
Zakariya worked as an editor and blogger for the local news website which is named after his home village. He regularly reported on human rights, business, culture, and politics. The website he worked for was named Al-Dair after his home village.Personal
Zakriya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri was born in the village of Al-Dair in 1971. He where he reported and edited his internet website.External links
- Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's Report
- ReutersVideo. "Protesters clash with police in Bahrain" YouTube Channel