30 Sep 2011
On September 29, a Bahrain Special Security Court handed down prison sentences of 5 to 15 years for twenty medical professionals convicted of crimes against the state after they provided medical assistance to injured protesters—the latest in a pattern of ongoing repression in Bahrain. Those convicted have faced inhumane conditions while in custody for the past five months, allegedly tortured and denied access to their family and legal counsel. The court also sentenced Ali AlTaweel to death and Ali Attiya to life in prison for allegedly killing a riot police officer.
30 Sep 2011
On September 29, a Bahrain Special Security Court handed down prison sentences of 5 to 15 years for twenty medical professionals convicted of crimes against the state after they provided medical assistance to injured protesters—the latest in a pattern of ongoing repression in Bahrain. Those convicted have faced inhumane conditions while in custody for the past five months, allegedly tortured and denied access to their family and legal counsel. The court also sentenced Ali AlTaweel to death and Ali Attiya to life in prison for allegedly killing a riot police officer. On September 28, the military court upheld the prison sentences for 21 Bahraini activists, sentencing eight of them to life in prison.
Bahraini human 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. At least 32 people have been killed since the initial pro-reform demonstration on February 14 following a series of crackdowns targeting pro-democracy activists and medical practitioners in particular. Dozens of medical professionals were previously arrested on similar charges to those sentenced, and a number of wounded protesters have been prevented from accessing medical care. 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. 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.
Freedom House condemns the harsh sentences for medical professionals who provided medical care, as required under the Hippocratic oath, and calls on the Bahraini government to cease its intimidation of political opponents and initiate genuine and far-reaching political reforms.
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