EU Raps Bahrain For Tough Verdicts Against Pro-freedom Activists

Berlin, Sept 6, IRNA -- European Union policy chief Catherine Ashton stressed she was "disappointed and concerned" with a verdict in Bahrain, where a court upheld tough sentences for a group of pro-freedom activists. “I am disappointed and concerned at the decision of the Bahraini Court of Appeal to uphold the harsh sentences against Mr Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and nineteen other individuals," Ashton was quoted saying in a press statement. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who holds Bahraini and Danish citizenship, was one of seven human rights activists who received a life sentence. Ashton added, "I hope that the appeal before the Cessation Court will be fair, transparent and conducted in the full respect of international obligations Bahrain has subscribed to." She vowed to "continue to monitor the process and the overall situation in the country very closely." Meanwhile, the German government voiced also "deep disappointment" over the court ruling, saying it was "a setback for human rights and national reconciliation" in Bahrain. Berlin called also for the release of the imprisoned dissidents. Tuesday's ruling came in a retrial that was granted in April after the pro-freedom activists were sentenced by a special military court for their involvement in protests against the pro-western al-Khalifa regime. The London-based Amnesty International rights group urged the swift release of the defendants, branding the verdicts were "outrageous." "Today's court decision is another blow to justice and it shows once more that the Bahraini authorities are not on the path of reform but seem rather driven by vindictiveness," Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said. "Bahrain cannot get a free pass at the UN Human Rights Council and we urge states to tell the Bahraini authorities that today's verdict crosses a red line and that they can no longer be considered credible partners," Sahraoui added./end