NGOs Call for Rajab’s Release, Marking One Year since Arrest

Local Editor

Dozens of rights groups expressed deep concern over the continued detention of prominent Bahraini activist, Nabeel Rajab, calling on UN member and observer states to demand his immediate release.

June 13 marks one year since Rajab's arrest. During his 365 days in detention, the human rights campaigner spent extensive periods of time in solitary confinement and his health had gravely deteriorated.

He is currently being detained in a military hospital after authorities failed to provide him with proper medical care following a long delayed surgery in April.

Rights groups, including the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights [BCHR], the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy [BIRD] and Index on Censorship expressed particular concern over Rajab's health "which continues to deteriorate due to poor conditions and mistreatment in detention."

The 52-year old was charged with "spreading false information and malicious rumors about domestic matters," for merely telling media outlets that journalists and NGOs are barred from entering the kingdom.

He also faces a separate set of charges including "spreading rumors in wartime...insulting a neighboring country... [and] insulting a statutory body," over tweets criticizing the bombardment of Yemen as well as the use of torture in Bahrain's Jaw Prison.

His trail is due to resume today following numerous delays.

The BCHR, which Rajab chairs, described his detention as a "violation of international regulations concerning freedom of expression and association, but also in violation of international protocols governing the rights of prisoners and detained persons."

In May, the United Nations Committee against Torture called on Manama to "put an end to the solitary confinement of Mr. Nabeel Rajab and ensure that he is provided with adequate medical assistance and redress".

A number of other UN agencies and foreign governments have echoed similar sentiments calling for Rajab's release.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team