Bahrain Releases Nurse From Prison

Bahraini authorities released Rola al-Safar, the country’s top nursing official, after detaining her for five months during crackdowns on Shiite-led protests.   Authorities also released a teachers’ union official, Jalila al-Salman, after several jailhouse meetings with the head of an international panel investigating alleged abuses in Bahrain.

At least 19 medical personnel still remain in custody.

Additionally, the international commission investigating the human rights abuses in Bahrain has again denied claims that its chairman and any members have resigned.  The commission reported that it has been following information being circulated and media statements attributed to chairperson Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni.