British Human Rights lawyer refused entry to Bahrain and deported

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) A leading British lawyer has been refused entry to Bahrain in the early hours of this morning, and forced to leave the airport immediately. Pete Weatherby QC, a specialist in human rights law, who has visited Bahrain in the past, had intended during the visit to attend the trial this week of the political Assistant to Al Wefaq SG Mr. Khalil Almarzooq, on 12 December 2013, as an international observer. He informed he had also arranged meetings with Government officials to discuss their recent Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry follow-up report.However, his visa application was rejected at Bahrain International Airport and despite trying to wait until the morning to speak to the UK Embassy, his baggage was loaded onto a plane and he was told to board the flight immediately.Mr. Weatherby QC travelled to Bahrain in 2010 and 2011 to observe trials on behalf of the Bar Human Rights Committee, for whom he is a member of the Executive Committee.Al Wefaq National Islamic Society sees the refusal to allow Mr. Weatherby QC into Bahrain as unjustified and unacceptable, and a poor treatment of a foreign national. We view this incident as a clear indicator that the authorities have something to hide to the international community. Given that he was allowed entry to Bahrain in the past, it is also shows the lack of progress over reform and in fact the deterioration in the human rights situation./149