A Bahraini court sentenced a Shia cleric, Sayid Kamil Al Hashimi, to 3 years of imprisonment. Al Hashimi, who has advocated for the freedom of expression and religion, is accused of insulting the king by the court.
Al Wefaq National Islamic Society said the court’s ruling represents a “collapse of justice” and shows the judiciary’s lack of integrity.
Bahraini courts and judges are not qualified based on international standards and cannot sentence activists behind closed doors, says SRW. During the past three years hundreds of civilians and human rights activists have been sentences or fined in Bahraini courts, most of which could not have lawyers. The judicial system of Bahrain has violated many rights of prisoners and inmates by denying their rights to fair trial, therefore questioning the courts credibility. Violations of Shia rights as lawful citizen of Bahrain has been a concern and the government must be held responsible.
SRW condemns the violations in Bahrian and demand immediate release of Al Hashimi and others like him.
