(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expresses its concern about the hundreds of civilians being prosecuted in the military court, for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, which started with the declaration of the state of national safety on 15th March and continued even after it was lifted on 1st June. Based on BCHR reports, more than 120 Bahrainis have been presented before the military court and at least 80 have already been sentenced to different charges ranging between one year imprisonment, life sentence and death penalty for two detainees. Meanwhile, many more have been called to appear for trial before the military court, despite lifting the emergency law which was used as a justification for establishing these special courts.
BCHR List of the individuals facing military trials
Although the majority are facing criminal charges, however, all accusations are directly related to their participation in peaceful protests and exercising their basic rights to freedom of assembly and expression which is manifested in the types of allegations, “illegal assembly and rioting”, “possession of illegal publications” or vague charges like “inciting hatred against the regime”.
(See: Amnesty International: Bahrain activists jailed following 'politically motivated' trials )
At least one convicted, Mohammed Al Buflasa, is still being held in custody although he served his sentence.
IHRC: Action Alert: Bahrain – Sunni citizen locked up by Bahraini authorities
Amnesty International: Bahrain urged to release former military officer
BYSHR: Bahrain: prisoner of conscience in danger because of his hunger strike
LA Times Blogs - BAHRAIN: Sunni detainee still held under mysterious circumstances )
Fadheela Mubarak, the first woman to be tried before the military court, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and at least six other women, doctors and a 20 year old poet, are awaiting their trials which have been adjourned.
(See: BYSHR: Bahrain: The first woman imprisoned 4 years because she participated in the protests
Locked up for reading a poem- Ayat al-Gormezi, the woman who symbolises Bahrain's fight for freedom, By Patrick Cockburn
Children, under the age of eighteen, have been also convicted in these courts; Mohammed Ebrahim Khatem, a 15 years old boy, is being tried for “involvement in crowds and riots”.
(See: Bahrain: Violations of the Rights of the Child worse than ever: Deaths by excessive force, and military trials at age of 15 )
Doctors, nurses, medics, students, activists and many more are awaiting their trials before the military court in Bahrain for practicing their rights of protesting and expression that are considered crimes according to Bahrain’s military court.
(See: BYSHR: Bahrain: The Medical staff are facing 12 charges tomorrow before a military court
Bahrain Authorities Putting Doctors and Nurses on Trial for Caring for the Wounded)
And:
Updates about the trial of prominent oppositional leaders and Human Rights defenders
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