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PEN International Delegation Calls on Bahrain for Free Expression And Release of Human Rights Defenders

by Courtesy

PEN International Joins International Delegation To Bahrain Calling For An End To Free Expression Violations And For Human Rights Defenders To Be Freed
30 November 2011 – PEN International

Between 20 and 25 November, 2011, PEN International Writers in Prison Committee Chair, Marian Botsford Fraser, was in Manama, Bahrain on a mission with members of five other international human rights organizations. Their joint statement can be read below.

JOINT STATEMENT

All human rights defenders and those in detention as a result of the National Safety laws enacted in Bahrain should be freed immediately, said a delegation of six international rights organisations visiting the country this past week to investigate freedom of expression. In the wake of the report from the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) on 23 November, the delegation calls for the King of Bahrain to implement the Commission’s recommendations to hold accountable all those responsible for past violations, and to take action immediately to prevent further abuses such as torture of detainees.

The international mission met with numerous human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, bloggers, students, medics and other members of civil society, and provided solidarity and moral support to such individuals, as well as the families of those detained for upholding their right to free expression. Human rights defenders detailed ongoing violations of free speech, freedom of assembly and a continuation of the ‘culture of impunity’ cited in the BICI report. The BICI report specifically recommends that those sentenced for peaceful, political expression must have their sentences commuted or charges dropped. As one blogger noted, “While censorship has been a fact of life in Bahrain for a long time, the criminalisation of all forms of speech – even ‘liking’ something on Facebook – is a new low.”

At a meeting with Dr. Fatima Al-Balooshi, Minister for Human Rights and Social Development, the delegation stressed the importance of unfettered access to Bahrain for international NGOs and media as a means of ensuring transparency and accountability. The delegation is also concerned about government officials who seem to believe that the BICI report closes the door on the past, which could prevent perpetrators of torture and other abuses from being held accountable. …more