Update – Hundreds on military trials for exercising their legitimate right of peaceful assembly and expression

Bahrain Center issues a list of those facing military trails since the declaration of the state of National Safety

Update – July 21, 2011

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expresses its concern about the hundreds of civilians being prosecuted in the military court, for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, which started with the declaration of the state of national safety on 15th March and continued even after it was lifted on 1st June. Based on BCHR reports, around 200 Bahrainis have been presented before the military court and at least 90 have already been sentenced to different charges ranging between one year imprisonment, life sentence and death penalty for two detainees. Meanwhile, many more have been called to appear for trial before the military court, despite lifting the emergency law which was used as a justification for establishing these special courts.

BCHR List of the individuals facing military trials

Bahrain Center issues a list of those facing military trails since the declaration of the state of National Safety

Update – July 21, 2011

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expresses its concern about the hundreds of civilians being prosecuted in the military court, for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, which started with the declaration of the state of national safety on 15th March and continued even after it was lifted on 1st June. Based on BCHR reports, around 200 Bahrainis have been presented before the military court and at least 90 have already been sentenced to different charges ranging between one year imprisonment, life sentence and death penalty for two detainees. Meanwhile, many more have been called to appear for trial before the military court, despite lifting the emergency law which was used as a justification for establishing these special courts.

BCHR List of the individuals facing military trials

Although the majority are facing criminal charges, however, all accusations are directly related to their participation in peaceful protests and exercising their basic rights to freedom of assembly and expression which is manifested in the types of allegations, “illegal assembly and rioting”, “possession of illegal publications” or vague charges like “inciting hatred against the regime”.

At least one convicted, Mohammed Al Buflasa, is still being held in custody although he served his sentence.

Two women were sentenced to imprisonment. Fadheela Mubarak, the first woman to be tried before the military court, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, Ayat AlQurmozi (Poet) was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment, and at least 17 other women, doctors and a 20 year old poet, are awaiting their trials which have been adjourned.

Children, under the age of eighteen, have been also convicted in these courts; Mohammed Ebrahim Khatem, a 15 years old boy, is being tried for “involvement in crowds and riots”.

Doctors, nurses, medics, students, activists and many more are awaiting their trials before the military court in Bahrain for practicing their rights of protesting and expression that are considered crimes according to Bahrain’s military court.

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