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| Bahrain condemned as jailed Arab spring activists lose appeal | Bahrain condemned as jailed Arab spring activists lose appeal |
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| Bahrain has faced fresh international condemnation after an appeal court upheld the convictions and sentences of 13 men who faced charges in military tribunals related to anti-government protests during the Arab spring last year. | Bahrain has faced fresh international condemnation after an appeal court upheld the convictions and sentences of 13 men who faced charges in military tribunals related to anti-government protests during the Arab spring last year. |
| The men, who include activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ebrahim Sharif, were originally sentenced last summer to between two years and life in prison. The charges included espionage and "setting up terror groups to topple the royal regime and change the constitution". They later appealed in a civilian court. All the men maintain their innocence and are expected to appeal to the supreme court. | |
| The Bahrain government insisted in a statement on Tuesday that the men had a fair trial. "The court provided all assurances of a fair trial through a team of 17 defence attorneys selected by the defendants," said the Information Affairs Authority in Manama. "The trial was attended by many diplomats of various nationalities ... as well as representatives of human rights and other civil society organisations." Seven other defendants are still at large. | |
| "We totally reject today's verdict, which is clearly not a step toward beginning to solve the issues in Bahrain," said the former MP Abdul Jalil Khalil, a member of the country's main Shia political bloc, al Wefaq. | "We totally reject today's verdict, which is clearly not a step toward beginning to solve the issues in Bahrain," said the former MP Abdul Jalil Khalil, a member of the country's main Shia political bloc, al Wefaq. |
| Amnesty International, which attended the first trial, called the ruling "outrageous." It added: "Today's court decision is another blow to justice. It shows once more that the Bahraini authorities are not on the path of reform but seem rather driven by vindictiveness." | |
| The British government said it was "very disappointed" by the decision because of reports, acknowledged by an official Bahraini commission of enquiry, that some detainees had been abused, denied access to legal counsel and coerced into confessing. | The British government said it was "very disappointed" by the decision because of reports, acknowledged by an official Bahraini commission of enquiry, that some detainees had been abused, denied access to legal counsel and coerced into confessing. |
| "I urge the Bahraini government to ensure the human rights and freedoms of its citizens are fully upheld at all times," said Alistair Burt, the foreign office minister. "We are aware that the defendants can now appeal to the cassation court. We expect this process to be conducted thoroughly and with urgency, while ensuring due legal process is followed." | "I urge the Bahraini government to ensure the human rights and freedoms of its citizens are fully upheld at all times," said Alistair Burt, the foreign office minister. "We are aware that the defendants can now appeal to the cassation court. We expect this process to be conducted thoroughly and with urgency, while ensuring due legal process is followed." |
| Bahrain, a small Gulf island state where the Shia majority is ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty, was shaken in February 2011 by protests known locally as the Pearl Revolution, which ended when Saudi led-forces intervened. The government has pledged reforms but the US and Britain have repeatedly criticised it for moving too slowly. Bahrain is home to the US navy's 5th fleet and is a key strategic asset in any confrontation with Iran. | Bahrain, a small Gulf island state where the Shia majority is ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty, was shaken in February 2011 by protests known locally as the Pearl Revolution, which ended when Saudi led-forces intervened. The government has pledged reforms but the US and Britain have repeatedly criticised it for moving too slowly. Bahrain is home to the US navy's 5th fleet and is a key strategic asset in any confrontation with Iran. |
| Amnesty said that despite the Bahraini's government attempt to portray itself as on the path to reform, little has been done on the ground to ensure accountability and justice for victims of human rights abuses. Violations continue and prisoners of conscience remain behind bars, it added. | Amnesty said that despite the Bahraini's government attempt to portray itself as on the path to reform, little has been done on the ground to ensure accountability and justice for victims of human rights abuses. Violations continue and prisoners of conscience remain behind bars, it added. |
| In another prominent case, Nabeel Rajab, a leading human rights activist, is serving a three-year prison sentence for calling for and participating in "illegal gatherings". An appeal on this high-profile case is due to start next week. | In another prominent case, Nabeel Rajab, a leading human rights activist, is serving a three-year prison sentence for calling for and participating in "illegal gatherings". An appeal on this high-profile case is due to start next week. |