The International Federation

of Journalists (IFJ) today joined its affiliate in Bahrain, the Bahrain

association of Journalists (BJA) in condemning the savage beating and inhuman

treatment of reporter Nazeeha Saeed who was arrested on 22 May over the story

she had filed about the repression of anti-government protesters.

The female reporter,

who was covering the uprising for France24 and Radio Monte Carlo in the of

Douar el loulou area , suffered severe injuries at the  Rafa police station where she was badly

beaten by her interrogators. She also bore torture marks, according to the reports.

"We are appalled by this senseless and cruel treatment of a working

journalist and we urge the Bahraini authorities to hold accountable the

officers involved," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "The brutal behaviour of

security forces towards Saeed shows there is no end to media repression in

Bahrain and the world must make it clear that these gross violations of

peaceful protesters', women's and journalists' rights  will not go unpunished."

Media reports say that Saeed was summoned to the Rafa police for

questioning over her report on the death of Ali Abdelhassan who was allegedly

killed by security forces during the anti-government protests of 17 February

2011. She was detained for 12 hours during which she reportedly was savagely

beaten up and tortured. After her release, the French consulate arranged for

the journalist to receive medical treatment in France due to the gravity of her

condition.

The BJA has also

called for a full investigation into the allegations of torture

and requested from the authorities a copy of

the complaint made by the reporter, stressing the need for transparency and

independence in the investigation in this case.

The IFJ has accused

the Bahraini government of widespread

intimidation and systematic harassment against journalists which have

already led to the arrests and sackings of at least 68 media personnel in the

country since the start of the protests for political reforms.

The Federation is taking part in a protest visit to the embassy of

Bahrain in Brussels today. The protest, jointly organised by the IFJ, the

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Education International (EI)

and the Belgian trade unions ACV/CSV, ABCC/FGTB and ACLVB/CGSLB. The organisers will deliver a  letter calling ,among

other measures, for the immediate release of all detained trade unionists,

teachers, journalists and workers as well an end to all harassment against trade

unions leaders and activists and respect for press freedom.

For more information, please contact IFJ

on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than

600.000 journalists in 131 countries