Articles

Posted by English PEN on 15/10/11

English PEN reiterates its continued protest at the detention of academic, blogger and human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace and human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, whose life sentences for their peaceful opposition activities were confirmed on appeal by a military court on 28 September 2011. We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Al-Singace and Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja for the peaceful exercise of their opinions, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bahrain is a signatory. We are also urging the authorities to ensure that there is a full and independent investigation into allegations that they were tortured in pre-trial detention. Please send letters of appeal - guidelines and addresses available at www.englishpen.org

On 28 September 2011, the military-run National Safety Court of Appeal confirmed the convictions of academic, blogger and human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace and human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and upheld their sentences of life imprisonment. They are believed to be targeted for calling for political reform and for their reporting on human rights abuses in the country.

PEN International's Writers in Prison Committee supported a trial observation mission to Bahrain for the verdict in partnership with the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). The following is a report from the hearing:

The ruling on the appeals of 14 of the 21 human rights activists, writers and bloggers was given by the National State Safety Court in Manama, just after 10.15 am on 28th September. The announcement was brief. After the 14 defendants present in court were identified (the remaining 7 having been convicted and sentenced in absentia) the presiding military judge announced that the appeals were dismissed and sentences upheld for all of the defendants.

The defendants had been warned not to say anything from the dock by the army guards beforehand. On the last occasion at court when Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and others tried to speak out about having been tortured in detention, they were removed from court, taken outside and beaten resulting in Al-Khawaja having to be taken to the military hospital.

On this occasion the defendants were silent other than to raise their arms in a gesture of solidarity.

The court has not yet given any reasons for its decision. The defence teams have 30 days in which to lodge final appeals to the Court of Cassation (the Bahrain Supreme Court).