Human Rights Watch Condemns Al Khalifa Repression


Human Rights Watch Condemns Al Khalifa Repression

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Human Rights Watch slammed Bahrain's Al Khalifa regime for trampling on people's fundamental rights and repressing dissent.

The organization in its World Report 2015 censured the regime for human rights violations and crackdown on human rights activists and political opposition.

According to the report, which was released on Thursday, new evidence shows that Bahraini courts play a more active part in maintaining the repressive order in the country.

The report noted that courts in the tiny Persian Gulf country have sentenced more than 200 political activists to long-term prison sentences on vague charges such as involvement in terrorist activities and acting against the national security.

Over 40 activists have also been jailed for life since the uprising began in Bahrain in 2011, it went on to say.

The report's release came a day after the first session of Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman Salman's trial was held.

The trial has reportedly been adjourned to February 25.

Salman was arrested on December 27 after long hours of investigation over alleged anti-regime incitements.

The 49-year-old cleric is charged with “promoting regime change by force, threats, and illegal means, and of insulting the Interior Ministry publicly,” said Bahraini prosecutor Nayef Mahmud.  

The Al Khalifa regime is pressing ahead with its crackdown on opposition, after it extended the detention of Sheikh Salman for an unlimited period.

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