Bahraini activist bullied by cameraman in Geneva

Manama

Bahraini human rights activist Faisal Fulad was allegedly harassed and threatened by a media person who claimed to be associated with Hezbollah at a human rights conference being held in Geneva.

Fulad was reportedly speaking against terrorism by anti-government groups, Iranian regime and the rebels in Yemen, when the cameraman of Lebanese TV channel Al Manar tried to intimidate him. 

He reportedly claimed that he was sent by Hezbollah and started speaking disrespectfully about Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 

“He left his camera and started filming me through his smart phone. He sat in front of me and filmed me for 20 minutes, ignoring the organisers’ request. He finally stopped after all of us protested. But he still tried to threaten me as he left. I would like to say, we are not deterred by this, and we will continue to speak against the terrorists,” Fulad said.

Global human rights organisation, The International Association of Rights and Freedoms (IARF), in which Fulad is a member, condemned the actions of the media person. 

“IARF strongly condemns and protests against the cameraman’s actions, and regards it a provocative act,” it stated. 

“The association would like to inform the international public that these practices will not hinder the member of its board Faisal Fulad from executing his human rights activities, which includes revealing the crimes of the Iranian regime especially in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain and against non-Persian people in Iran,” the statement added.

The statement requested the United Nations to intervene to protect human rights defenders, and ensure the freedom of expression and adherence to the rules of professional and neutral media work,” it added.