A Bahraini court has handed life sentences to 14 citizens in relation to the political crisis in the country. Another 12 citizens have been sentenced to 7 years in prison, making a sum of 434 years for all 26.
The sentence further entrench the tyrannical rule and extends the crisis between the majority of the people who are demanding democratic transition and the dynasty in power.
Detainees continue to complain of severe torture and coercion during arrest and interrogation. However, their complaints are overlooked by the Public Prosecution Office and the courts that lack fundamental international prosecution standards.
The very well know Human Rights Watch (HRW) described the Bahraini judiciary as an “injustice system” criticizing courts for supporting the repressive regime by repeatedly sentencing peaceful protesters to prolonged periods in jail.
HRW was not the only one to criticize Bahrain for its tarnished record of human rights, Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the trials in Bahrain represent “political persecution” of dissidents. Furthermore, the Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) confirmed in its report that the trials in Bahrain are used to attack the opposition. In September 2013, Bahrain faced condemnation of 47 member States in the UN Human Rights Council for its appalling human rights situation.
Commenting on the jail terms issued today, Sheik Ali Salman, Secretary-General of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, said, “It has become clear that the repressive verdicts will not the Bahraini people’s struggle for democracy and equality”.
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