UN expert urges Bahrain to halt
executions of two men amid torture allegations
GENEVA (26 July 2019) – Bahrain
must halt the reportedly imminent execution of two men who were sentenced to
death on the basis of confessions allegedly obtained through torture, and after
trials which appear not to have fulfilled guarantees of fairness and due
process, said a UN human rights expert.
Ali Mohamed Ali Mohamed Hakeem
al-Arab and Ahmed Isa Ahmed Isa al-Malali, were reportedly arrested on 9
February 2017 during a security operation. They were allegedly subjected to
torture, prevented from attending their trial and sentenced to death in absentia.
“The authorities in Bahrain must
immediately halt any plans to execute these men, annul the death sentences
against them and ensure they are retried in accordance with international law
and standards,” said the Special Rapporteur.
“Capital punishment may only be
carried out for the most serious crimes and after a legal process which has
included all possible safeguards aimed at ensuring a fair trial.
“I remind Bahrain that the only
thing that distinguishes capital punishment from an arbitrary execution is full
respect for the most stringent due process and fair trial guarantees,” the
Special Rapporteur stressed.
The expert had previously sought
clarifications from the Government on this case.
ENDS
Ms Agnes Callamard, Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions has a
distinguished career in human rights and humanitarian work globally. Ms
Callamard is the Director of Columbia Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia
University and has previously worked with Article 19 and Amnesty International.
She has advised multilateral organizations and governments around the world,
has led human rights investigations in more than 30 countries, and has
published extensively on human rights and related fields.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of
what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special
Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights
system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and
monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or
thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a
voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their
work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in
their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page:
Bahrain
For more information and media
requests, please contact:
In Geneva: Mr. Alessandro Marra
(+41 22 928 93 21 / amarra@ohchr.org) or write to eje@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to
other UN independent experts: Mr. Jeremy Laurence – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383
/ jlaurence@ohchr.org)
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