URGENT ACTION: Tell Bahrain to free Mahdi and Jalila!
Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila al-Salman, the leaders of the Bahraini Teachers' Association, have just lost their appeal against the unjust sentences against them. Please sign the labourstart petition calling on the Bahraini government to release these political prisoners.
(BTA President Mahdi Abu Dheeb)
Mahdi and Jalila, president and vice president of the Bahraini Teachers' Association were arrested in 2011 after supporting calls for reform in Bahrain. Whilst in detention they were subjected to torture and forced to sign 'confessions'.
In September 2011, a military court convicted them of attempting to overthrow the ruling system by force and inciting hatred of the regime. The report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry last year found that the authorities had grossly exaggerated, if not manufactured, many claims brought against thousands of ordinary people who had been caught up in the February 2011 protests.
Amnesty International concludes that it has 'not seen any convincing evidence supporting such accusations, nor was there any such evidence presented at trial', and have therefore adopted Madhdi and Jalila as prisoners of conscience. Mahdi and Jalila's only 'crime' was to have the temerity to promote respect for the values of solidarity, equality and democracy.
Education International has issued a call for a large online campaign demanding the release of both Mahdi and Jalila.
Please sign LabourStart's urgent action appeal calling for their release
For more information see:
Jailed for marching on Saturday? You would be in Bahrain
UK Government Must Act to End the Ongoing Repression of Teachers in Bahrain
Bahrain: Teachers face further jail time after 'nightmare' verdict
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