Bahraini Medics’ Appeal Rejected Final Time

Photo Credit: Reuters

The appeal of nine Bahraini medics who treated victims of government crackdowns was rejected for the final time, and many of the sentences stem from “participating in illegal demonstrations.” The sentences range from one month to five years. A number of the doctors have reported they were tortured while in detention and believe they were given unfair trials. Additionally, seventeen-year-old Ali Hussain Neamah died as a result of being shot by police during peaceful protests, and additional clashes resulted during and after his funeral.

Saeed Mohammed al-Faihani of the Bahraini Ministry for Social Development was elected unopposed to the U.N. Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. In regards to violent crackdowns on rights activists, al-Faihani previously stated that, “everyone who’s been arrested has been shown…proper documentation,” accusing the dissidents of inciting violence and being supported by “Iran and Hezbollah.” Bahraini officials lauded al-Faihani’s appointment as representing the “international community’s confidence in Bahrain’s progress in the human rights’ field,” while Bahraini news outlets reported that U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor senior adviser Scott Busby ”affirmed Bahrain’s resolve to promote human rights and protect citizens’ dignity.”