Hamad Free The Prisoners of Conscience

Bahrain Urged to Free Prisoners of Conscience
23 July, 2012 – POMED

Amnesty International has urged the Bahraini government to free all prisoners of conscience following the crackdown of security forces on peaceful protests last Friday. Thousands of protesters continued to clash with police throughout the weekend in reaction to government plans to limit political marches. On July 24th, a court will consider the appeal of prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab against his three-month prison sentence on charges related to a post he made on Twitter. Hassiba Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Programme Director, condemned Rajab’s conviction and that of several Bahraini doctors, saying, “The charade of justice has gone on too long in Bahrain” and added, “All convictions against them should be quashed.”

Bahrain Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid al-Khawaja met with several Congressmen and senior government officials in Washington, D.C. over the weekend. Al-Khawaja discussed the “implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain International Commission for Inquiry” with CIA Director David Petraeus and Senator John McCain (R – AZ). The interior minister also claimed that Bahrain was “on the path to democratic reform.” Additionally, Bahraini police announced the arrest of a “terrorism” suspect, accused of possession and production of “explosives for terrorist aims.” …more