Bahrain Mirror: Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain, Hala Al-Ansari, denied that there are female prisoners held over political issues in the country, claiming that female Bahraini inmates had been arrested for "committing acts that affect state security or go under terrorism."

In an interview with the British BBC channel, Al-Ansari said that "in light of the keenness of the Bahraini Supreme Council for Women to learn about the situation of women prisoners, it has been shown through communication with concerned agencies that there are no female prisoners of conscience, and those who are held in prisons have committed acts that affect state security or go under terrorism".

There is a number of female prisoners of conscience in Bahrain held on various charges, most notably for "covering up" for those wanted in political cases. Last week, a Bahraini court sentenced four Bahraini women to three years in prison on the same charge, three of whom are sisters.

Bahrain does not recognize the existence of political opponents, and always accuses them of "terrorism". The international community; however, constantly criticizes Bahrain's human rights record and calls for serious dialogue with the opposition and the release of political detainees.

Arabic Version