Death of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima

Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima
Born	علي عبدالهادي مشيمع Al Daih, Bahrain
Died	14 February 2011 Al Daih, Bahrain
Cause of death	bird pellet gunshots
Resting place	Al Daih, Bahrain
Residence	Al Daih, Bahrain
Nationality	Bahraini
Known for	2011 Bahraini uprising
Religion	Muslim
Parents	Umm Ali (Mother) Abdulhadi Mushaima (Father) Mohammed Mushaima (Uncle)

Ali Abdulhadi Mushiama (Arabic: علي عبدالهادي مشيمع‎) (26 August 1989^[1] - 14 February 2011) was a 21-year-old Bahraini who died in hospital on the evening of Monday, 14 February 2011 after reportedly being hit in the back by bird pellet gunshots (a type of shotgun shell) fired from short distance by Bahraini security forces during the 2011 Bahraini uprising.^[2] Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima was protesting for human rights in the village of Al Daih, near Manama, when he was shot, according to Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. Minister of the interior said a probe would be launched into the case to determine the reasons for the use of a weapon. He affirmed that if the probe revealed no legally tenable reason behind the use of the arm, then legal steps would be taken to refer the person behind the incident to the criminal court.^[2] Bahrain king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa announced in a rare televised speech that the deaths of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima and Fadhel Al-Matrook would be investigated.^[3] However, results of the investigation were not revealed until this day (November 2011).^[4]

Background

Further information: 2011 Bahraini uprising

As part of a string of protests that occurred across the Arab World following the self-immolation and eventual death of Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia, the mostly Shia population of Bahrain took to the streets demanding greater freedoms.^[5] Al Jazeera reported that a protest was planned for 14 February,^[6] just a few months after the controversial 2010 election.^[7]

On 14 February, clashes were reported from parts of Bahrain. Helicopters circled over Manama, where protesters were expected to gather in the afternoon; there was also a greater police presence in Shia villages. At least fourteen people were injured in clashes overnight and with police having used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse marchers in the mostly Shia village of Nuwaidrat in the country's southwest. The marchers were demanding the release of those detained during earlier protests.^[5]

Short biography

Mushaima was the eldest son, he had one brother and one sister. His unlce, Mohammed explained that Mushaima lived in an extremely poor family in his grandfather's house which was built since 1980s. Their housing request goes back to 1988, yet they didn't get a proper house. Mushaima worked as a welder and helped his family financially.^[8]

Previous detention

Ali Abduhadi Mushaima was detained for 20 days when he was 16. He was detained again for 4 months in 2009 in what is known in Bahrain as "Hujaira case" where he was under physical and mental torture, his mother said. His mother reported that despite not having any political activities, Mushaima was closely monitored by authorities.^[9][10]

Death

During 14 February which was named "Day of Rage", Mushaima participated in a protest in Al Daih, west of the capital Manama. After security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters, Mushaima returned to his house in Al Daih where he had his last dinner with his family.^[9]

Al Wasat local independent newspaper made interviews with members of Mushaima's family who are the main witnesses to his death. Mushaima's aunt who lives in the same house reported that Mushaima left home at 7:30 pm after he had dinner. She went out after him, and was surprised when she saw him walking back then falling down on the floor before getting up where she helped him get back home. She reported that Mushaima fell when he entered the house; his body was full of blood and he had vomited some blood. She said that she couldn't feel Mushaima's pulse few minutes before reaching hospital.^[9]

Umm Ali (Mushaim's mother) reported that policemen fired bird pellet gunshots at her son few seconds after he went out. He said that Mushaima's father had heard a gunshot and went to investigate, but before getting out, Mushaima entered the house and started vomiting blood. Umm Ali reported that her son was taken to hospital with his father, aunt and 2 of his cousins in the car where his pulse stopped few minutes before reaching hospital.^[9]

Mushaima's uncle Mohammed, said that Mushaima went out after hearing a strange sound. Their house is located in the very narrow alley. When Mushaima reached the end of the alley he was shot with bird pellet gunshots from close range.^[8]

Mushaima's death was announced one hour after arriving at Salmaniya medical complex.^[11] bird pellet gunshots went through Mushaima's body into his heart and lung causing severe bleeding which led to his death.^[12]

Aftermath

Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the minister of the interior, "offered condolences and deep sympathy to the family of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima on Monday," according to a statement on the interior ministry's website. The minister said a probe would be launched into the case to determine the reasons for the use of a weapon. "He affirmed that if the probe revealed no legally tenable reason behind the use of the arm, then legal steps would be taken to refer the person behind the incident to the criminal court," the statement read.^[2]

Ministry of Interior spokesman, Tariq Al-Hassan said on a televised speech on 15 February that Mushaima died in a separate incident and not while participating in a protest.^[13]

Few days after Mushaim's death, a governmental official visited Mushaima's family offering them a cheque which they refused and asked for punishment to Mushaima's killer(s), Umm Ali said.^[10]

Funeral and protests

On 14 February, after Mushaima's death was announced, many people gathered in Salmaniya medical complex. They organised a protest at late night and moved towards Pearl roundabout in Manama. Security forces clashed with them resulting in some injured protesters.^[12]

Mushaima's family didn't receive his body till late after midnight due to waiting for the coroner and public prosecutor report.^[12]

On 15 February, a funeral procession was organized to take Mushaima's body from Salmaniya medical complex to the cemetery for burial in Al Daih.^[14] According to eye witnesses, more than 2,000 people were gathering at the gates of the hospital to join the procession,^[3] when riot police used tear gas and shotguns to disperse the crowd. One man, Fadhel Al-Matrook, was injured by shotgun pellets and later died in hospital.^[11] At least 25 people were reportedly hurt by rubber bullets, buckshot and tear gas fired by the security forces, witnesses said.^[3]

An estimated 10,000 people participated in the funeral march for Mushaima which moved through the streets of Jidhafs and Al Daih, west of Manama.^[15] Moureners carried Bahrain flags as well as black flags.^[14]

On 18 February, 3 days after Mushaima's funeral, the final mourning rituals were held in Al Daih. Thousands of mourners carrying Bahrain and black flags participated in the mourning rituals which started from Al Daih Ma'tam and ended in Jidhafs graveyard. Mourners chanted "With our blood and soul we sacrifice ourselves for Martyr" and "With our blood and soul we sacrifice ourselves for Bahrain".^[16]

At the end of Mushaima's final mourning rituals, many mourners carrying Bahrain flags organized a protest that moved towards Pearl roundabout. They chanted "peaceful, peaceful" as they reached fire trucks parks in Manama where army forces were stationed 100 meters away from them. Witnesses say army forces fired live ammunition on protesters leaving at least 40 wounded,^[17] including Abdul Redha Buhmaid who was shot in head and died on 21 February.^[18]

Local and international reactions

• In a rare national TV address on Tuesday, February 15, King Hamad expressed regret about the recent fatalities and announced a ministerial probe. He expressed regret about the deaths of Ali Mushaima and Fadhel Al-Matrook "There have sadly been two deaths. I express my deep condolences to their families," he said. "Everyone should know that I have assigned Deputy Prime Minister Jawad al-Urayyid to form a special committee to find out the reasons that led to such regrettable events," he added.^[3]

• Prime minister, Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa praised the king's speech. "We regret the events which led to the death of two of my sons and express condolences to their families".^[19]

• Minister of Interior, Rashed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said in a televised speech on February 15, that they are reserving on those responsible for the death of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima and Fadhel Al-Matrook and that initial investigations began. As well as full cooperation with the committee formed by Bahrain's king.^[13]

• Al Wefaq, the country's biggest opposition party suspended their participation in the Parliament and threatened to resign, in protest at the brutal practices of the security forces, according to Matar Matar, Al Wefaq's MP (now former MP).^[20]

• The Independent block, the second largest in the parliament praised the king's speech and supported his decision to form an investigation committee. They also expressed condolences to families of victims.^[8]

• Nationalist Democratic Rally Society called for an open dialogue between the regime and civil society foundations. They emphasized their refusal and condemnation to the "brutal and repressive" methods that protests are dealt with by riot police which led to the death of 2 martyrs. They also expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and victims.^[8]

• Progressive Democratic Tribune denounced the use of excessive force by security forces and called to respect the rights of people to protest. They expressed condolences to families of martyrs Ali Mushaima and Fadhel Al-Matrook who joined the martyrs convoy of our people in their journey to democracy. They Called for the formation of a national body which unites Shia and Sunna like the National Union Committee in the 1950s.^[8]

• Islamic Association party, a relatively small Shia society expressed condolences to citizens of Bahrain and the families of the victims. They said "At the same time that we emphasize our refusal to the excessive use of force against protesters, we stress the importance of keeping the peacefulness of the protests". and "we appeal to the committee formed by Bahrain's king to make a neutral and honest investigation and to accelerate publishing the results as well as punishing those responsible".^[8]

• United States State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in a statement. "The United States is very concerned by recent violence surrounding protests in Bahrain,". The spokesman said Washington had received confirmation that two protesters in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, had been killed and urged Bahrain to quickly follow up on its pledge to investigate. "The United States welcomes the government of Bahrain's statements that it will investigate these deaths, and that it will take legal action against any unjustified use of force by Bahraini security forces," Crowley said.^[15]

• Amnesty International called the authorities "to immediately stop using excessive force against the protesters", "to set up an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into the deaths of ‘Ali ‘Abdulhadi Mushaima’ and Fadhel ‘Ali Matrook, and ensure that any police found to have used excessive force are brought to justice." and " to respect and protect the right of freedom expression, movement and assembly in Bahrain".^[11]

• In May 2011, Council of Representatives of Bahrain dismissed one of it's employees due to taking part in funeral procession of Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima.^[21]

See also

• Death of Fadhel Al-Matrook
• Death of Ali Jawad al-Sheikh
• Death of Ahmed Jaber al-Qattan

References

1. ^ [Our martyrs] -[feb14bah.com]
2. ^ ^{a b c} Jenifer Fenton (15 February 2011). "Protester shot during Bahraini demonstrations dies". CNN. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/15/bahrain.protester.death/index.html?iref=allsearch. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Staff Writer (15 February 2011). "Bahrain protests: King announces probe into two deaths". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12468336. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
4. ^ Staff writer (7 October 2011). "(..) murder of Ali Mushaima on February 14, results were not revealed until this day". BCHR. https://twitter.com/#!/BahrainRights/status/122196587979083776. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Staff writer (14 February 2011). "Bahrain Activists in 'Day of Rage' – Anti-Government Protests in Shia Villages Around the Capital Leave Several People Injured and One Person Reported Dead". Al-Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011214925802473.html. Retrieved 20 September 2011. 
6. ^ Staff (4 February 2011). "Calls for Weekend Protests in Syria – Social Media Used in Bid To Mobilise Syrians for Rallies Demanding Freedom, Human Rights and the End to Emergency Law". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201122171649677912.html. Retrieved 31 March 2011. 
7. ^ Press release (6 February 2011). "In Fear of Transmitting the Tunisian and Egyptian Demonstrations to Bahrain: Blocking a Facebook Group That Calls People To Go Down the Streets and Demonstrate Against the Authority's Policy". Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. http://bahrainrights.org/en/node/3721. Retrieved 16 April 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Staff Writer (16 February 2011). "قتيل ثان في الاحتجاجات و«الوفاق» تعلق نشاطها البرلماني... ومتظاهرون يحتشدون في دوار اللؤلؤة". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3085/news/read/527451/1.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d} Amani Al-Maskati (17 February 2011). "عائلة القتيل مشيمع تروي تفاصيل "العشاء الأخير"". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3086/news/read/527729/1.html. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Staff writer (8 March 2011). "وجوه نسائية شاهدة عيان على أحداث البحرين الأخيرة". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3105/news/read/531136/1.html. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
11. ^ ^{a b c} Staff Writer (15 February 2011). "Two die as protesters are violently repressed". Amnesty International. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE11/004/2011/en/9eea3bf4-a674-4c97-a4a1-dd64a1d7311f/mde110042011en.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
12. ^ ^{a b c} Staff Writer (15 February 2011). "قتيل وأكثر من 30 مصاباً في مسيرات احتجاجية أمس". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3084/news/read/527311/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
13. ^ ^{a b} Staff Writer (16 February 2011). ""الداخلية": وفاة مشيمع في حادث منفصل عن مسيرة "الاثنين"". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3085/news/read/527549/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Staff Writer (15 February 2011). "انطلاق مسيرة تشييع القتيل علي عبدالهادي مشيمع". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3084/news/read/527411/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Staff Writer (16 February 2011). "U.S. concerned by violence in Bahrain protests". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41597335/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/us-concerned-violence-bahrain-protests/#.Tqfclpu5Pr5. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
16. ^ Staff Writer (19 February 2011). "الآلاف يشاركون في ختام مجلس عزاء مشيمع". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3088/news/read/527979/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
17. ^ Staff Writer (19 February 2011). "استخدام الرصاص الحي عند "دوار اللؤلؤة"". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3088/news/read/527965/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
18. ^ Staff Writer (28 February 2011). "Bahrain: Hold Perpetrators of Crackdown Accountable". Human Rights Watch. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/02/28/bahrain-hold-perpetrators-crackdown-accountable. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
19. ^ Staff writer (16 February 2011). "رئيس الوزراء يأسف لوفاة اثنين من أبناء البحرين". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3085/news/read/527546/1.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
20. ^ Staff Writer (16 February 2011). "أميركا "قلقة جدا" للعنف بالبحرين". Al Jazeera. http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/245EC848-BB66-4252-85ED-4929E97DACE2.htm. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
21. ^ Staff Writer (20 May 2011). ""النواب" يفصل موظفاً لمشاركته بموكب تشييع". Al Wasat newspaper. http://www.alwasatnews.com/3177/news/read/561871/1.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 

Persondata
Name
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth	Al Daih, Bahrain
Date of death	14 February 2011
Place of death	Al Daih, Bahrain