Bahrain Mirror: Journalists have raised questions for three consecutive days to the US State Department Spokesperson, John Kirby, during the daily press briefings held in Washington DC.

In the daily press briefing held on Wednesday (March 16, 2016), journalists showered the deputy spokesperson Mark Toner with questions. They pointed out the disappointment of human rights organizations regarding the absence of a clear call from Washington for the release of human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja and her baby son.

The dialogue is as follows:

Journalist: The answer that Kirby gave yesterday on Bahrain and the detention of this woman activist and her child has elicited some disappointment from human rights groups, advocates, who would like to see the U.S. be stronger on calling on the Bahrainis to release this woman. Do you have anything more to say than what you said yesterday? Are you, in fact, calling for the Bahrainis to release her?

Mark Toner: What we're strongly urging is for them to follow due process in this case in particular and abide by their commitments to transparent judicial proceedings.

Journalist: So you don't think she should be released immediately?

Mark Toner: Again, what we'd like to see is just due process carried out here in a transparent fashion. And we're obviously monitoring Al-Khawaja's case closely.

Journalist: Can you say why you don't think that she should be released? I mean, do you think that there's some - that there's a possibility that the detention is legitimate and that charges she might face are warranted? I guess I just don't understand -

Mark Toner: Yeah, Sure (interrupted)

Journalist: why in previous cases - (interrupted)

Mark Toner: sure, sure, sure. I understand what you're saying.

Journalist: You guys have called for detainees to be released and in this one you're not?

Mark Toner: I mean, without getting into a legal discussion, she has had charges leveled against her. So it's really incumbent on the Bahraini judicial system or legal system to obviously give her - afford her due process. That's what is our focus is on.

Journalist: And you have confidence that that can happen?

Mark Toner: We're going to continue to watch the case very closely and let them know if we believe it's not being carried out.

Journalist: That sounds like a no to me

It noteworthy that John Kirby, urged on (March 14, 2016) the Government of Bahrain to "follow due process in all cases and to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings conducted in full accordance with Bahrain's international legal obligations."

On the following day (March 15, 2016) John Kirby said: "I don't have anything additional to say from yesterday. Obviously, this is - these sorts of issues are issues we have raised in the past with Bahraini officials. We'll continue to do that, but I don't have anything specific to read out with this - on this case (Zainab Al-Khawaja's issue)".

Arabic Version