Death sentences in Bahrain draw condemnations

Human rights organizations and activists in various countries have slammed the recent wave of harsh sentences handed down to Bahraini activists. Amnesty International have frequently censured the Manama regime for the rampant human rights abuses against opposition groups.

Hawzah News Agency (Manama, Bahrain) - Bahrain's courts have recently sentenced two activists to death, 19 to life imprisonment, and 37 others to 5 to 15 years in jail, while 19 other opposition figures and activists are already on the death row.

In addition, 47 Bahrainis’ citizenship has been revoked because of their opposition to the ruling Al Khalifa regime.

The International Federation of Human Rights and Washington-based World Movement for Democracy are among the organizations that have condemned the verdicts.

In a statement, the World Movement for Democracy regretted the rulings against Bahraini citizens who seek their legitimate rights through peaceful demonstrations.

It called on the Manama regime to immediately release the political activists and restore their citizenship.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International and many other international rights organizations have frequently censured the Bahraini regime for the rampant human rights abuses against opposition groups and anti-regime protesters.