37 human rights organizations demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Ali Salman, the Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society Secretary-General, after he had been summoned Saturday afternoon to the criminal investigation office where he will be interrogated over vexatious charges, while his attorneys were prevented from seeing him. The rights organizations announced that his detention is due to his practicing of right to freedom of expression in politics, which is extremely condemned.
“The security body has filed 9 charges against the Al-Wefaq secretary-general. Most of the rulings that are based on these charges are considered to be “political oppression” by the High Commissioner, while Amnesty International considered it to be “false justice”. This institution is also part of the judicial system that was described by Human Rights Watch as being selective in the enforcement of law. Meanwhile the BICI report called for the release of those charged based on this and the renewal of their trials,” the rights groups added.
They also stated that Sheikh Salman “is known to be a political and national figure that has always called for dialogue and peaceful procedures as clearly stated in The Non-Violence Principles Declaration. He also calls for the peaceful transfer of power according to what international treaties stipulate. The Society which he heads also enjoys massive support among the population based on the results of the 2006 and 2010 polls, so it is a priority to improve the human rights situation and put an end to violations.”
The organizations then concluded: “It is very clear that the purpose behind these actions is to continue confiscating the right to freedom of expression and violating the right to freedom of association by enforcing intimidating security procedures and prosecuting opposition leaders, instead of heeding international calls to allow public freedoms, release all political prisoners, allow UN rapporteurs to visit Manama and implement the BICI and Geneva recommendations.”
The signatories are: Bahrain Human Rights Observatory, Bahrain Forum for Human Rights, Bahrain Human Rights Society, Amman Center For Human Rights Studies-Jordan, Arab Commission for Human Rights, International Centre for Supporting Rights and Freedom-Egypt, Bahrain Salam for Human Rights, Shield Organization for Human Rights-Ukraine, Institute of Diplomatic Studies and Consular Affairs, Academics for Human Rights-Yemen, League of the Sons of Earth and Human Rights-Lebanon, Salam Center for Human Rights-Vienna, Arab Unity Council and International Cooperation-Washington, The International Organization for Human Rights-Washington, The International Organization for Development and Human Rights-Geneva, The International Federation for Crescent and Red Cross-London, The International Council for Human Rights-The Hague, Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture-Lebanon, Aman Network for the Rehabilitation and Defense of Human Rights, Tunisian Institute for the Rehabilitation of Prisoners, Tunisian Association of Freedom and Equity, Lualua Center for Human Rights, International Council Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights-Geneva, Global Alliance for Tolerance-Geneva, Association of Protecting Human Rights Defenders in the Arab World, Arab-European Friendship Association, Arab-European Cultural Forum, Iraqi-German Society, International Organization Against Terror and Religious Intolerance, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Zahra Organization for Human Rights, Association for the Defense of Muslim Rights in Belgium, Agency of Human Rights, Civil Office of the Ombudsman, Qist Organization For Supporting Human Rights, The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights, The Institute for Peace and Justice.
28-12-2014
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