Bahrain Mirror: Lawyer Mohammed Al-Tajer said that the Bahraini authorities banned dozens of Bahraini human rights activists as well as political and religious figures from traveling outside the country. Some were not informed about the reasons behind issuing such bans, while others realized that their travel bans were linked to pending cases with the Public Prosecution.

Al-Tajer explained that they made a preliminary list that included 38 figures linked to human rights and political activism. Also, more than 15 clerics as well as some spouses of a number of activists were banned from travel.

Al-Tajer told the local Al-Wasat newspaper that the travel bans began last June (2016) and only a few political and rights activists were affected then, yet the bans were later lifted without any justification.

He further noted that in August, charges were raised against a number of rights defenders over the assembly that was held in Diraz. They were also banned from travel. "I was personally banned from travel over Twitter related reasons, ‘inciting hatred against a certain sect and misusing my phone'," he added.

He also said that the travel bans even affected a number of persons that have not taken part in any activity since 4 years, noting that the list of people banned from travel included officials from Wa'ad and recently dissolved Al-Wefaq Society.

"It is also worth noting that travel bans are being imposed on both spouses, especially if they are traveling together," he further stressed.

Arabic Version