05.10.2014

Freedom for Nabeel Rajab!

ADC “Memorial” is outraged by the arrest of Nabeel Rajab, Bahrain human rights defender, FIDH Deputy Secretary General and President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), who had been prosecuted once again for expressing his opinion, which was part of his human rights activities.

On October 2, 2014 public prosecution ordered 7 day detention for Nabeel Rajab pending further court hearings concerning his detention. Bahrain Ministry of Interior considered Rajab’s tweets in social networks to be insulting for the law enforcement agencies of Bahrain. Rajab has expressed criticism of the counter-terrorist legislation, which was being used to suppress civil liberties and put pressure on human rights defenders. In spring 2014 Nabeel Rajab was freed from prison following a two year term, which he had served following participation in peaceful protests in Bahrain. Before the new arrest on September 30, 2014 he spoke at a meeting in Dublin, criticizing Bahrain government for the situation with human rights.

Statement by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (joint program of International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and International Organization Against Torture (OMCT))