Wednesday, 17 June 2015, Issue #51
BIRD Weekly Newsletter
In this Issue
• Sheikh Ali Salman sentenced for 4 years • Bahrain Strips 56 of Citizenship • HRC 29th Session •
NGOs Condemn 4 Year Prison Sentence Against Bahrain Opposition Leader Sheikh Ali Salman
16 June 2015 – The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Americans for Democracy for Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) strongly condemn today’s sentencing of Sheikh Ali Salman to four years in prison on politically-motivated charges. The arrest, detention and sentencing of Sheikh Ali Salman is in contravention of international obligations and is a reprisal against his peaceful political activities as the leader of the largest opposition party in Bahrain. We are also concerned that this sentence is a step back in the struggle for democratization in the country and symbolizes a greater repression of dissent.
Read the full statement here
Bahrain Strips Citizenship of 56, Including 9 Children, Bringing 2015 Total up to 128
Building of Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Bahrain
11 June 2015 – The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) and Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) condemn the unfair trial of 61 persons in a single terrorism case, and the court’s decision to strip the citizenship of 56 of those sentenced, including nine children under 18.
A total of 61 individuals were tried before the First Higher Criminal Court, most of them in absentia. Of them, the court sentenced 52 to between 10 and 15 years and five to life sentences, while four were found not guilty. 56 of the defendants were made stateless by the court’s decision to strip their citizenship.
NGO’s Applaud New Joint Communications Report from UN Special Procedures
17 June 2015: Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy applaud the reporting of the United Nations Special Procedures. We call on the countries in question to immediately and impartially investigate any and all allegations raised.
Read the full statement here
Bahrain at HRC29
15 June 2015: UN High Commissioner Zeid calls for an immediate investigation into torture allegations at Jau Prison. He encourages genuine dialogue between the Government and the Opposition without preconditions.
Read the full statement here
15 June 2015: US calls on the Government of Bahrain to sign an MOU with OHCHR for technical cooperation and to engage robustly with the High Commissioner.
Read the full statement here
15 June 2015: UK encourages Bahrain to improve its cooperation with OHCHR, including country visits by UN Special Rapporteurs.
Read more here
15 June 2015: Husain Abdulla from ADHRB delivers an oral intervention on migrant workers in Qatar.
Watch the video here
Bahrain & the UK Government
04 June 2015: Lord Avebury asks UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) about Bahraini human rights defender Zainab Al Khawaja’s prison sentence
Read the FCO’s response here
16 June 2015: UK expresses concern over Sheikh Ali Salman’s sentence
The Minister for MENA, Mr. Tobias Ellwood said: “The UK Government is supporting the Government of Bahrain in its reform programme…Bahrain has made progress in its reforms, but we are clear more needs to be done, and the UK remains committed to supporting Bahrain in that process.”
Updates from the Ground
Dozens arrested including several children
62 sentenced to 764 years in prison
24 trials postponed
Human Rights Defender Zainab Al-Khawaja trial postponed to September
Security forces continue the use of force and excessive use of tear gas against peaceful protesters.
#TwitterNation
Weekly Highlights
Bahrain Convicts 57 over ‘bombing plots’
UK adds to condemnation of Bahrain over jailing of Shia opposition leader
It Couldn’t Be Clearer That They Don’t Care’: Bahrain’s Opposition Leader Gets Four Year Jail Term
News & Commentaries
Financial Times: Bahrain’s main Shia opposition leader jailed for 4 years
Bloomberg View: U.S. Moves to Lift Bahrain Arms Ban
Amnesty International: Bahrain: Jailing opposition leader an affront to freedom of expression
The Huffington Post: Bahrain Medic Recounts Conditions in Jaw Prison
Middle East Eye: Bahrain jails opposition chief Ali Salman for 4 years
BBC News: Bahrain oppostition leader Sheikh Ali Salman jailed
Reuters: Bahrain sentence opposition leader to four years in jail
The Telegraph: Bahrain jails opposition leader for four years
Human Rights First: Conviction of Bahraini Opposition Leader is a Major Setback to Reform
Your Middle East: “Verdict against Ali Salman drives Bahrain deeper into political crisis”
Trade Arabia: Bahrain and UK sign pact on defense training
FIDH: Bahrain: Sentencing and continuing judicial harassment of Ms. Ghada Jamsheer
The New York Times: Bahrain Court Strips 56 Shiites of Nationality for Terrorism
