Bahraini medics retrial under way in civilian court

Second trial for 20 hospital staff follows UN criticism of convictions for protest-related charges A civilian court on Sunday began the retrial of 20 Bahraini medical staff whose conviction on protest-related charges brought condemnation from international rights groups and UN officials about crackdowns in the Gulf kingdom. Officials in Bahrain ordered a new trial this month after sharp international criticism of the verdicts, which were handed down by a special security court and found the doctors and nurses guilty of backing anti-government protests and attempting to overthrow the ruling monarchy. Their sentences ranged from five to 15 years. The medics were among hundreds arrested after Bahrain’s majority Shia Muslims began protests in February seeking greater rights from the ruling Sunni regime. At least 35 people have been killed in unrest in the island nation, which is home to the US navy’s Fifth Fleet. Prosecutors dropped several lower-level charges in the first civilian court hearing, but the most serious accusations remain. The next session was scheduled for 28 November. One defence lawyer, Jalila al-Sayed, said it remained unclear whether the civilian proceedings would allow new witnesses and evidence, and whether the previous convictions had been formally overturned. The doctors and nurses remained free, but were banned from leaving the country. They worked at the state-run Salmaniya medical centre close to the capital’s Pearl Square, which became the focus of Bahrain’s uprising that was inspired by other revolts across the Arab world and Middle East. The authorities saw the hospital’s mostly Shia staff – some of whom participated in street marches – as protest sympathisers, although the medics claimed they treated all who needed care. Shia Muslims represent about 70% of Bahrain’s population, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and security positions. Bahrain’s Sunni rulers say they are willing to make reforms, although not as far-reaching as protesters demand, such as ending the monarchy’s ability to select the government and set state policies. The sentences brought sharp criticism from rights groups and statements of concern from the office of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the UN human rights office. Bahrain Arab and Middle East unrest Protest Human rights United Nations Middle East guardian.co.uk

Posted by on October 23, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.