BIRD Weekly Newsletter #55: Nabeel Rajab released from prison

Wednesday, 15 July 2015, Issue #55

BIRD Weekly Newsletter

In this Issue

Nabeel Rajab released from prison  Ebrahim Sharif re-arrested  UK Designates 2.1M for Bahrain Assistance  FCO Minister on Free Speech in Bahrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ADHRB and BIRD Cautiously Welcome the Decision to Pardon Nabeel Rajab

14 July 2015: Coming on the heels of Ebrahim Sharif’s re-arrest this Sunday, prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab was pardoned yesterday and released from prison due to “health reasons,” after serving four months of his six month sentence.
Rajab’s release follows increased international pressure on Bahrain to release political prisoners, including Rajab in particular. Just last week, the European Parliament passed an urgency resolution calling for the immediate release of Rajab and other prisoners of conscience.
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Read the full statement here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGOs Condemn Arrest of Opposition Leader Ebrahim Sharif

13 July 2015: On Sunday 12 July, Bahrain’s police arrested Ebrahim Sharif, the former General Secretary of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad). Sharif is one of the “Bahrain 13”, a group of prominent human rights defenders and opposition figures in Bahrain. He was recently released from detention on 19 June after serving over four years in prison on charges related to his freedom of expression.
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His arrest comes only weeks after Bahrain sentenced the leader of the Wefaq Political Society, Sheikh Ali Salman, to four years imprisonment, also on charges related to freedom of expression.
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Read the full statement here

Ban tear gas to Bahrain and free Nabeel Rajab, says EU Parliament

On 09 July 2015, the European Parliament passed an Urgency Resolution calling for an EU-wide ban on tear gas and crowd control equipment to Bahrain and for the immediate release of Nabeel Rajab and other prisoners of conscience, in a move welcomed by the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), and Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB).

Read the full statement and EU Resolution here


 

Champions for Justice: Bahrain’s Death Row Prisoners

In Bahrain, political dissidence can be punishable by death. The Government of Bahrain employ the threat of capital punishment as a means of political intimidation. Between 2011 and 2014, Bahraini courts have handed down 11 death sentences; in the last six months, they have handed down at least four more. Disproportionately, these sentences have been based on false confessions, extracted from detainees under severe duress. To demonstrate the human consequences of a capital punishment mechanism so dependent on torture and coercion, this month’s Champions for Justice features eight of Bahrain’s current death row inmates. Their stories highlight a growing culture of violence, political prejudice, and criminal disregard for due process within Bahrain’s legal system.

Read their profiles here


Questions to Government


 

      

FCO Minster Tobias Ellwood: “We will continue to make clear to the Government of Bahrain that         the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression must be respected”.

                                       

                                   EU

Julie Ward MEP (Labour) Questions EU High Representative Mogherini on harassment and imprisonment of rights defenders in Bahrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Take Action


Ask your MP to sign EDM 241 on the restrictions against free speech in Bahrain

Write to your MP


Updates from the Ground


16  arrested including 4 children

42 trials postponed

6 individuals sentenced to a total of 32 years in prison

Majeed Milad pre-trial detention extended for 15 more days pending investigation

Ebrahim Sharif rearrested after serving 4 out of 5 years in prison

7 individuals were arrested, detained and interrogated for posts on Twitter

Nabeel Rajab released


#TwitterNation


 


Weekly Highlights


 

 

        Concern over Actions Taken Against Opposition Leaders in Bahrain 

Don’t Lift Arms Curbs on Bahrain

Bahrain’s In Out In Out Hokey Pokey Dance

    Bahraini Activist Nabeel Rajab Has Been Freed — For Now


News & Commentaries


 

Amnesty International: Bahrain: Release detained political activist Ebrahim Sharif
Reuters: U.S. concerned by Bahrain moves against opposition
BBC News: Bahrain rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab freed from jail
Counter Punch: The US is Now Confronted by the Same Sectarian Strife in the Middle East That It Fostered
The Guardian: Hacking Team hacked: Firm sold spying tools to repressive regimes, documents claim
Reporters Without Borders: Enemies of the Internet: Bahrain
AlJazeera: Bahrain re-arrests prominent opposition leader
FIDH: Bahrain: Release of Nabeel Rajab must be followed by other measures to put an end to the crackdown on human rights defenders
Global Voices: Bahraini Political Leader Ibrahim Sharif Arrested Again
Human Rights First: Bahrain State Media Reports Nabeel Rajab to be released from Prison
RT News: EU parliament calls for tear gas ban for Bahrain, release of Nabeel Rajab
Human Rights First: European Parliament Calls for Nabeel Rajab’s Release
FIDH: EU must act upon European Parliament resolution on human rights in Bahrain
European Center for Democracy and Human Rights (ECDHR): MEPs adopted an Urgency Resolution on Bahrain and in particular the case of Nabeel Rajab
Index on Censorship: Bahrain: Calls for release of Nabeel Rajab on global day of solidarity
UCU London Retired Members Branch: Solidarity with the Teachers of Bahrain: News from Education International
UCU London Retired Members Branch: Oppose Opening of British Base in Bahrain


Take Action & Email Your MP to ask that they support the case of Dr Abduljalil AlSingace by signing EDM 107

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