Bahrain: UN rights experts urge release of opposition
politician detained for peaceful expression
GENEVA (4 FEBRUARY 2015) – A group of United Nations
independent experts* today urged the Bahraini authorities to release Sheikh Ali
Salman, an opposition politician and a religious figure who was refused bail on
charges that include inciting a change of regime by non-peaceful means.
Sheikh Salman is secretary-general of the Al Wefaq National
Islamic Society, Bahrain’s main opposition political party. His arrest in
December 2014 came shortly after he was re-elected to his post.
“The charges appear to stem from the Government’s
dissatisfaction with opinions that Sheikh Salman expressed in public speeches
and televised interviews, in which he called for the establishment of a
democratic regime and for Government accountability,” the human rights experts said.
“If this is indeed the case, his arrest and prosecution
would amount to a breach of his fundamental human rights to freedom of
expression, freedom of association and freedom of religion or belief,” they
said. “We have asked the Government of Bahrain to clarify the situation and to
provide more information on these allegations.”
The UN experts also expressed concern at allegations that
Sheikh Salman’s hearing on January 28, when he was denied bail, did not take
place in accordance with due process standards. His legal representative was
allegedly not allowed to examine the evidence to prepare for his defence.
“Particularly worrying are recent reports that indicate that
peaceful demonstrations following his arrest were disbanded by the authorities,
including through the use of force,” they said, noting that at least 150 people
were reportedly arrested and around 90 were injured during the protests and in
clashes with the police.
“We urge the Government of Bahrain to promptly release all
those who have been detained for peaceful expression of their views,” the UN
experts said.
“The recent revocation of Bahrain citizenship of an
additional 72 people seems to be yet another attempt by the Government of
Bahrain to clamp down on opponents,” they added.
(*) The experts: Mads Andenas, Chair-Rapporteur of the
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Maina Kiai, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly
and of association; Heiner Bielefeldt, Special Rapporteur on freedom of
religion or belief; and Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights defenders.
ENDS
The UN human rights experts are part of what is known as the
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body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name of the
independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights Council
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more information, log on to:
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Arbitrary Detention:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Detention/Pages/WGADIndex.aspx
Freedom of expression: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx
Peaceful assembly: spx
Freedom of religion:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomReligion/Pages/FreedomReligionIndex.aspx
Human rights defenders:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/SRHRDefendersIndex.aspx
UN Human Rights, Country Page – Bahrain:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/BHIndex.aspx
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