HRW Urges West to Press Bahrain to Free Sheikh Salman
Local Editor
Human Rights Watch on Sunday urged Bahrain's Western allies to press the kingdom to release detained activists, including a al-Wefaq Opposition Chief whose arrest has sparked protests and condemnation.
Sheikh Ali Salman, the head of the al-Wefaq bloc, has remained in custody since authorities arrested him on December 28 on charges including seeking regime change.
Meanwhile, hundreds attended the funeral of a man who was martyred from what al-Wefaq said may have been tear gas inhalation following Saturday clashes between protesters and police in the village of Bilad al-Qadim, where Salman lives.
"When it comes to punishing peaceful critics of the government or ruling family, Bahrain is a serial offender," said HRW's deputy MENA director Joe Stork.
Salman's arrest "seems calculated to send a message to Bahrainis and the world that political reconciliation and respect for fundamental rights is completely off the table," said Stork.
HRW said that authorities have so far "failed" to release evidence against Salman, urging his immediate release and calling for charges against him to be dropped.
"Bahrain's allies in London, Paris, and elsewhere have largely stayed silent as Bahrain has filled its jails with the people who hold the key to the political solution the [United Kingdom] UK and [United States] US claim to support," Stork said.
"Who will Bahrain have to detain and on what nonsensical charges before Bahrain's allies speak out?"
Prominent activist Nabeel Rajab will stand trial on Tuesday over tweets deemed insulting to public institutions, in an another case that has been criticized by rights groups.
Hundreds have been arrested and put on trial, human rights groups say.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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