Several members of the Italian Parliament sent a letter to the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.The purpose of this letter was for the members of parliament (MPs) to “express [their] deep concerns over the fate of the prisoners of conscience and the human rights defenders currently held in the prisons of the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
The full letter may be viewed Here
The letter references “the unjust punishment and ill-treatment of prisoners of conscience,” as well as “the disproportionately high risk of illness” due to the deprivation of “medical attention and personal protective equipment necessary to protect against COVID-19.” They further share their concerns about the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty, and they condemn the death sentences issued for Mohammed Ramadan and Husain Ali Moosa.
The MPs cite Bahrain’s violations of an individual’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech embodied in international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the Arab Charter on Human Rights (ACHR). They also include reference to the EU Parliament resolution passed on March 11, 2021, which addresses the cases of prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders currently imprisoned.
Finally, the MPs make several appeals to His Majesty, the King of Bahrain. The MPs call on King Hamad “to unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Hassan Mushaima, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace, Naji Fateel, Abdulwahab Hussain, Ali Hajee, and Sheikh Ali Salman; to lift the limitations imposed by the Alternative Sentencing Law on Nabeel Rajab and on all other individuals subjected to these restrictions; to cease the use of the Alternative Sentencing Law for prisoners of conscience and, instead, approve their unconditional release; and to commute and pardon the death sentence of Mohammed Ramadan, Husain Ali Moosa, and all the others currently on death row.”
The letter was signed by MPs Mr. Emilio Carelli, Mr. Maurizio Lupi, Ms. Laura Boldrini, and Ms. Francesca La Marca. ADHRB is grateful for the support of these MPs, and hopes that King Hamad will react respectfully and in accordance with the recommendations made.
