SALAM Urges the International Community to Maintain its Responsibility by Pushing for the Release of Human Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab

SALAM Urges the International Community to Maintain its Responsibility by Pushing for the Release of Human Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab

Bahrain SALAM for Human Rights is abhorred by the decision of the Bahraini Public Prosecution to continue arresting  prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and submitting a court case against him under a baseless charge of insulting statutory bodies. His case will be heard in the third lower criminal court on 19 October 2014.

The continued detention of Nabeel Rajab comes as a result of his human rights activism and expression of opinion. This method adopted by the Bahraini court has been used consistently to hide violations the Bahraini authorities have committed against Bahraini citizens. Nabeel Rajab was arrested on 2nd October 2014; two days after his return from a tour of various European countries where he raised awareness and reported on the human rights situation in Bahrain, as well as giving a speech at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. This is not the first time he has been arrested. He was previously sentenced to two years in prison under unjust and baseless accusations, which seemed wholly motivated to stifle his effective activism.

Protecting human rights defenders is one of the responsibilities of the international community. For this reason, SALAM demands of the Bahraini Government to expeditiously release Nabeel Rajab and cease attempts to stop human rights activism. SALAM as well urges the international community to carry out its responsibilities in regards to protecting Nabeel Rajab and push for his release and the rest of the prisoners of conscience.