FREE IMPRISONED HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ABDULHADI AL KHAWAJA SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AFTER UNFAIR TRIAL



On 22 June Former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human rights and Front Line Protection Coordinator for the Middle East, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja was sentenced to life imprisonment after an unfair trial which which completely failed to meet international fair trial standards.
Front Line is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and all other human rights defenders currently in detention in Bahrain and condemns in the strongest possible terms the lack of due process and the serious and credible allegations of torture which the court has consistently refused to investigate.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
SIGN Add your signature to our open letter to the King of Bahrain concerning the 47 doctors and nurses who are facing trial.
SEND THIS URGENT APPEAL to the King of Bahrain demanding the immediate release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja
Front Line believes that Abdulhadi Al Khawaja has been targeted because of exercising his legitimate right to freedom of expression and association in Bahrain. His trial to which international observers have been denied access, is ongoing.
Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is pictured here with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Margaret Sekaggya.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
07 August Mohammed Al Tajir released on bail though charges still stand see details
26 July updated list of doctors nurses and other health professionals still in detention, those released on bail but still facing charges and those released without charge. The list also includes the list of Recently qualified doctors passed over in recent appointments because of political activism

13 & 14 July 2011 Irish Delegation of medical, political and human rights figures travel to Bahrain. They met with Abdulhadi's wife and family on Thursday. Read Andrew's blog from Wednesday and Thursday
29 June 2011 According to latest reports 28 health professionals have been released ie those facing lesser charges. The King is due to make a major speech today and further significant developments are expected.
27 June 2011 Letter from Abdulhadi in prison outlines impact of beating and need for further medical treatment letter from Abdulhadi
26 June 2011 120 HRDs from 60 countries demand the release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja 120 Free Abdulhadi
24 June 2011 Irish Times Editorial re heavy sentences in Bahrain Bitter Blow to Forces of Democracy
23 June 2011 The Irish Examiner highlights injustice of sentence in trial of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja The Irish Examiner Opinion Piece on Trial of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja
23 June 2011 Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore raises Ireland's concerns re trial of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja Irish government concerns re Bahrain
23 June 2011 Danish media highlight life sentence on Abdulhadi Al Khawaja on basis of his Danish citizenship International Media Services
22 June 2011 Front Line Press Release condemns life sentence passed on Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and the 15 year sentence on blogger Ali Abdulemam Press Release on Bahrain for Irish and International Media

You can watch Vincent Forest, head of Front Line's EU office, presenting Front Line's concerns in the GCC countries to the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament
FURTHER ACTION
SEND a message of support to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
SEND a copy of your letter by email to the Ambassador of Bahrain in London
HE Shaikh Khalifa Bin Abdulladh Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain lONDON - email: [email protected]
You can also join Front Line's international campaign on behalf of human rights defenders at risk 10 on the 10th CAMPAIGN
FURTHER INFORMATION
You can find additional information on the current situation for human rights defenders in Bahrain on Bahrain Background Information

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/15181