Bahrain will release political prisoners ‘only if pressured by US and UK’
30 Novmber, 2013 – TV-Novosti

The most well-known political prisoner in Bahrain, Nabeel Rajab, has become legally eligible for release, but remains behind bars. Bahrain Watch’s, Bill Marczak, believes the activist is unlikely to be freed unless the US and the UK insist.

As of November 29, Nabeel Rajab, a prominent Bahraini human rights activist, served three quarters of his 2-year prison term, which means he may be released. He was detained in July 2012 for taking part in an anti-government protest.

Amnesty International has called for Rajab’s immediate release.

“A failure to release Nabeel Rajab on Friday would make it crystal clear that his imprisonment is not about justice or the law but about silencing him,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, the watchdog’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.

Bahrain Watch sees the release of political prisoners as something that would help the country move toward solving its political crisis. However, Bill Marczak, a founding member of the organization, told RT that Bahrain could only be pressured into doing so by its Western allies.

This comes as a group of British and American rights lawyers, gathered by Bahrain Watch, are taking legal action to prevent a South Korean firm from supplying the Bahraini authorities with over 1.6 million rounds of tear gas. …more

30 November, 2013

Defence lawyer, Mohamed Tajer, who is Secretary General of The Bahrain Coalition Observatory for Human Rights was called to Menaba Police Station on 17th November 2013 on the charge of “illegal gathering.”

He had held a discussion at his office to discuss the cases of Rihanna al Mousawi (14th February Coalition), Ali al Taweel on death row, and Mohamed Mirza, who is still in prison although freed by the Prosecutor General.

He discussed these cases with people from human rights organisations that are all registered. The police are trying to find a link with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and question who is funding the Observatory? Mohamed was arrested on 15th April 2011, whilst defending the doctors. He was charged with inciting hatred for the regime, illegal protests and inciting people to harm the police.” He was beaten, held in solitary for two months, deprived of sleep and released on 7th August 2011.

The independence of lawyers is one of the main principles of a democracy. Although the U.K./U.S. Governments pretend the Khalifas are a reforming regime, the reality is more arrests, torture and a total annihilation of human rights. Detainees are “treated like trash” with cells for four being used for thirteen. Mohamed Tajer was called to attend the police station on 25th November two hours after his return from speaking at the House of Lords.

The international community and legal profession should help Mohamed, who defends Bahrainis detained in terrible conditions after trials with little proper defence and were based on “confessions” after torture.. Bahrain needs people who are committed to human rights and democracy if it is to have a peaceful future.