U.S. “Regrets,” Rights Groups Condemn Bahrain Sentences

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In reaction to a Bahraini court’s decision on Monday to uphold the sentences of 13 prominent dissidents, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, “we regret today’s decision by the Bahraini Court of Cassation.” She added, “we’re concerned that this decision further restricts freedom of expression and compromises the atmosphere within Bahrain for reconciliation.” She also called for the Bahraini government to investigate allegations of torture made by the dissidents and to hold accountable anyone found responsible for this treatment.

Human rights groups have condemned the court’s decision. Cecile Pouilly, U.N. human rights spokeswoman in Geneva, voiced concern that the dissidents ”may have been convicted wrongly for legitimate activities.” Human Rights Watch called the convictions “grossly unfair.” Joe Stork, deputy director of the organization’s Middle East and North Africa division, stated that “Bahrain’s Cassation Court has proven its inability to protect the most basic rights guaranteed in Bahrain’s Constitution and the international treaties it has signed.” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui of Amnesty International also criticized the ruling, saying, “in order to maintain any credibility at all the Bahraini authorities must release these 13 people who have been imprisoned simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.”