Bahrain: Medics’ Trial Delayed, Death Sentences Rescinded

A hearing for twenty Bahraini medics who were convicted of attempting to overthrow the government briefly resumed Monday, but another hearing was set for March 19. The Bahrain government denied entry to Richard Sollom, the deputy president of the Physicians for Human Rights, who hoped to observe trials of the medical workers. In a separate trial, Bahrain’s civilian Cassation court overturned death sentences for two protesters convicted of murdering two policemen during demonstrations last year, according to Hassan Radhi, a lawyer for one of the defendants. Their sentences had initially come from a military court, but they were granted a retrial after Bahrain agreed to discontinue the use of military courts.

Meanwhile, US State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland issued a statement addressing ongoing violence and the beating of activist Nabeel Rajab, saying “The United States is deeply concerned by continuing incidents of violence in Bahrain between police and demonstrators.” She added, the US government “strongly urge[s] the Government of Bahrain to undertake a full investigation to determine if excessive force was employed by police” in the assault of Rajab. Additionally, Reporters Without Borders condemned the manner “Bahraini security forces continue to intimidate and attack journalists…” The statement cited the case of DPA photographer  Mazen Mahdi, who was beaten by police in Samaheej on January 3 and had been attacked on four separate occasions in recent weeks.

Reports from the Bahraini government also emerged that a group of educators completed a special course about teaching human rights in Bahraini schools. Furthermore, activists have urged Formula One racing drivers and teams to boycott an upcoming race scheduled in Bahrain in April, and asked the governing body of Formula One racing to “consider the serious abuse of human rights in Bahrain and the fact to this day authorities continue to suppress pro-democracy protests.” F1 racing officials have rebuffed calls to cancel or boycott the race, insisting the human rights violations are being addressed. Additionally, Simon Henderson writes “the tension on the streets [of Bahrain] will persist as well, with confrontations that hold the potential for more significant casualties among demonstrators or security forces, which could radically exacerbate the situation.”