Bahrain Mirror: 37 Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, calling for the immediate release of leading Bahraini human rights defender and president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab, reported Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB).

"As Members of the European Parliament deeply concerned with human rights, the rule of law, and the right to freedom of expression, we urge you to take urgent action to secure Nabeel Rajab's immediate release, the dropping of all charges against him, as well as lifting the travel ban that was previously imposed on him," said the MEPs in their address.

"This recent arrest coincides with a wide-spread crackdown on political dissidents, human rights defenders, and the opposition by Bahraini authorities. On June 12th, Bahraini authorities prevented a delegation of human rights activists from traveling to attend the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva while only two days later, on June 14th, the government suspended Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the biggest opposition party and the largest political group in the country, on charges that the organisation supported sectarianism and terrorism. Various prominent human rights defendants in Bahrain still face harassment and travel bans. In the meantime, Bahrain continues the practice of stripping opposition and human rights activists, or dissidents of the Bahraini diaspora of their citizenship, leaving many stateless," the letter further read.

The MEPs also stressed that "Nabeel's release must be followed with an end to the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders, and all measures taken by the Bahraini government to stifle legitimate opposition and freedom of expression."

Arabic Version