29 September 2011
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that he is concerned about sentences handed out by a Special Tribunal in Bahrain.
Speaking today the Foreign Secretary said:
“I am deeply concerned, that after the briefest of hearings, a Bahraini Special Tribunal has sentenced a group of medics to between 5 and 15 years in prison, upheld life sentences against Bahraini opposition leaders and passed one sentence of the death penalty.
29 September 2011
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that he is concerned about sentences handed out by a Special Tribunal in Bahrain.
Speaking today the Foreign Secretary said:
“I am deeply concerned, that after the briefest of hearings, a Bahraini Special Tribunal has sentenced a group of medics to between 5 and 15 years in prison, upheld life sentences against Bahraini opposition leaders and passed one sentence of the death penalty.
“These sentences appear disproportionate to the charges brought. These are worrying developments that could undermine the Bahraini Government’s moves towards dialogue and the reform needed for long-term stability in Bahrain.
“I call on the Bahraini judicial authorities to follow due process carefully and transparently, and to revoke the decision to impose the death penalty.
“Cases before the Special Tribunals should be transferred to regular civilian courts. This would help the Bahraini authorities demonstrate their commitment to upholding civil liberties, including the right to appeal and equal access to justice.”