Masaud Jahromi driving to the Security Building in Bahrain with his wife Elham.
Dr. Jack Minker, CCS Vice Chair for Computer Science, has authored a letter to the editor in the May 2016 Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (CACM) explaining Dr. Masaud Jahromi’s legal situation. Minker also requested assistance for job and residential placement.
CCS has been advocating for Dr. Jahromi, former chair of the Telecommunications Engineering Department of Ahlia University in Manama, Bahrain, since his initial arrest in 2011 for “participating in unauthorized rallies” during public protests in Bahrain. He served a four month sentence, was released and was restored to his previous position at the University.
No additional allegations were made, but in 2015 Bahrain revoked his citizenship, accusing him of “advocating regime change through illegal means.” Recently, Bahrain revoked hiss citizenship and he was deported to Beirut. However, his Visa is good for only six months and he needs to find a country and position that will take him in.
If anyone knows of a position that is available for Dr. Jahromi, please get in touch with Dr. Minker or the Executive Director of CCS.
Bahrain Deports Masaud Jahromi
I have written several letters to the editor concerning the legal problems and denial of human rights of Masaud Jahromi, formerly chair of the Telecommunication Engineering Department of Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain, over the past few years, starting with “Justice for Jahromi” (Nov. 2011). Since the last one, “Bahrain Revokes Masaud Jahromi’s Citizenship” (Apr. 2015), the government of Bahrain has now formally deported him, making Jahromi today a “man without a country.” Here, I briefly review his case and current situation, soliciting public support on his behalf.
In 2011, Jahromi was sentenced to four months in prison and fined 500 dinars for participating in “unauthorized rallies” during public protests. He served his sentence and was eventually restored to his position at Ahlia University. No additional allegations were made or evidence presented that he violated any law since then. Nevertheless, on January 31, 2015, Bahrain revoked his citizenship following an unsubstantiated accusation of “advocating regime change through illegal means.”
Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights specifically prohibits arbitrary deprivation of anyone’s nationality. Implementing that Declaration, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bahrain is a signatory, protects the right of individuals to due process and their right to free speech. Denial of citizenship without apparent basis in fact or law imposes severe damage on an individual, who consequently becomes stateless and homeless Moreover, including Jahromi’s name on a list with the names of obvious terrorists serving ISIS abroad has damaged his reputation as an academic.
Despite Jahromi’s attempts to reverse the decision and supportive letters from well-known and respected organizations, including the Committee of Concerned Scientists, of which I am a vice-chair, and other human rights organizations, the Bahraini court has refused to reverse its decision.
In a recent email message, Jahromi said, “Currently I hold no nationality. The travel document that I have is valid until March 2017 and in place of nationality field it is indicated ‘Bahrain Resident.’ I have given entrance visa and able to stay in Beirut for 6 months only. Currently, I am staying with my friend and have no job opportunities.” His wife and children were not permitted to leave Bahrain with him.
If any ACM member is able to suggest an opportunity for Jahromi at a college or university, please email me. I will send a copy of his vitae and inform Jahromi.
Jack Minker (minker@cs.umd.edu), College Park, MD
Related articles
- Why All Writs is a Trojan Horse (cacm.acm.org)