Free Prisoners of Conscience in Bahrain
On September 29, twenty pro-democracy protestors were arrested and sentenced by military tribunal in Bahrain. Since protests began in March, hundreds have been wounded, and over one thousand detained.
According to Amnesty International, the military trial "lasted less than five minutes and... confirmed life sentences for seven of the defendants."
Three days earlier, thirty-eight women and seven girls were arrested and, according to some reports, tortured or otherwise ill-treated by security forces. Earlier still, a man faced trial for "spreading false rumors," as is suspected by Amnesty International to be a prisoner of conscience.
Please sign this petition, addressed to the Prime Minister of Bahrain, calling for the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience!
We the undersigned protest the recent decision of your government to arrest and imprison twenty pro-democracy physicians. As you know, the trial for these protestors lasted less than five minutes, yet their sentences range from five years to life in prison.
I urge you release these civilians from custody, along with all other prisoners of conscience. I also urge you to allow the citizens of Bahrain the freedom to express their views, as is their right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
