Gulf Daily News :120 support online pleas to release activist pair

120 support online pleas to release activist pair
By Geoffrey bew
Published: 28th January 2007

MORE than 100 people have signed dual online petitions calling for the release of two men arrested after being accused of possessing and distributing subversive literature. Organised by the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, one is being signed by the general public and the other by human rights activists from across the world.

Both will eventually be sent to His Majesty King Hamad.

The petitions praise the government for its accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

120 support online pleas to release activist pair
By Geoffrey bew
Published: 28th January 2007

MORE than 100 people have signed dual online petitions calling for the release of two men arrested after being accused of possessing and distributing subversive literature. Organised by the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, one is being signed by the general public and the other by human rights activists from across the world.

Both will eventually be sent to His Majesty King Hamad.

The petitions praise the government for its accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

They also point out the United Nations treaty, which states that “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference” and “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression”.

“We, the undersigned, are convinced that what the men did was not a crime under the provisions of Bahraini law or international legal instruments,” the petitions state.

“We appeal for their immediate and unconditional release, setting a good example of respect and protection of human rights values as expected from Bahrain, a member of the UN Human Rights Council.”

The activists appeared in the Lower Criminal Court on January 7 accused of possessing and distributing subversive literature and encouraging people to seek changes to the country’s political system through illegal means.

The 35-year-old dentist and the 32-year-old insurance sales executive denied the charges and the case was adjourned until Wednesday.

Both were remanded in custody and have been held since November 16.

The families of the two men have held demonstrations in Manama appealing for their release, while the Al Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy has urged the UN to intervene.

One hundred and twenty people have signed the petitions so far and they

are available at www.petitiononline.com/bahraind/

© Gulf Daily News