Global appeal to release duo
By geoffrey bew
Published: 29 January 2007
FORTY-SIX human rights organisations from around the world have signed a petition calling for the release of two men arrested in Bahrain after being accused of possessing and distributing subversive literature.
The document, started by the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was sent to His Majesty King Hamad yesterday.
Signatories include groups from Bahrain, as well as representatives from the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Cameroon.
Global appeal to release duo
By geoffrey bew
Published: 29 January 2007
FORTY-SIX human rights organisations from around the world have signed a petition calling for the release of two men arrested in Bahrain after being accused of possessing and distributing subversive literature.
The document, started by the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was sent to His Majesty King Hamad yesterday.
Signatories include groups from Bahrain, as well as representatives from the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Cameroon.
More than 120 people have also signed a public petition, which will also later be sent to the King.
The petitions praise the government for its accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
They also refer to 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.
The public petition is available at www.petitiononline.com/bahraind/.
© Gulf Daily News