Egregious Verdict the Latest in Bahrain’s Oppression as Obama, Clinton work as house servants to al Khalifa and Saud

Egregious Verdict the Latest in Bahrain’s Oppression
Washington – September 28, 2011 – Freedom House

The decision of a Bahrain Special Security court to uphold harsh sentences—including eight life sentences—for 21 Bahraini human rights and civil society activists, as well as its continued efforts to punish dissent, illustrates a pattern of repression that belies any promises of meaningful reform by the government, according to Freedom House.

Along with today’s sentences, Bahraini rights groups have reported ongoing arrests, intimidation, and in some cases torture, of those speaking out in favor of democracy and advocating for the human rights of all Bahrainis. Last week, the Bahrain Interior Ministry said it would arrest anyone caught posting messages urging protests or other acts of dissent on the internet or social media amid increasing calls for protests ahead of September 24’s parliamentary elections—a second round of elections will take place on October 1. Penalties could include fines and jail time. Authorities also threatened to revoke the driver’s licenses of those who disrupted elections by intentionally starting traffic jams.

“Attempting to stifle dissent and criticism by imprisoning activists and criminalizing online communication is a pathetic attempt by unelected, undemocratic regimes to hold onto power without making any effort to meet the political demands of their people,” said Courtney C. Radsch, Freedom House’s Freedom of Expression Officer. “Whether political speech happens on social media platforms, mobile phones or in the media, all people have a fundamental right to express their opinion, particularly in advance of elections.”

Last week’s parliamentary by-elections were marred by the government’s use of force—including tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets—against unarmed protesters. More than 32 people have been killed and thousands detained in Bahrain since demonstrations began in February 2011, with crackdowns targeting anti-government activists and medical practitioners in particular. A verdict is expected tomorrow for a number of the medical professionals who were arrested on charges of “incitement to overthrow the regime” through their provision of medical care to all Bahrainis in need, including pro-democracy protestors.

“Freedom House calls on the Bahraini government to cease its intimidation of political opponents and initiate genuine and far-reaching political reforms. A first step should be throwing out the charges against the medical professionals going on trial tomorrow for providing care to injured activists,” said Charles Dunne, senior program manager for the Middle East and North Africa at Freedom House. “The U.S. government must hold Bahrain fully accountable for the ongoing repression and insist both publicly and privately on specific, measurable reforms to advance freedom and human rights in the country.”

Bahrain is ranked Not Free in Freedom in the World 2011, Freedom House’s survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2011. …source