Bahraini Opposition Group Urges End to Trial of Civilians in Military Courts

According to Bahraini media outlets, al-Wefaq in its statement underlined the necessity for the regime to immediately end the practice of trying civilians in military courts.

The statement described the practice “unfair and illegal because these trials are in contradiction with domestic and international rules and are an act of political ‘revenge’ from the opposition.”

Al-Wefaq added that revival of military courts to try people who are in search of their rights shows that the country is suffering a grave crisis.

The statement also condemned torture of Bahraini citizens during their pre-trial custody.

Al-Wefaq stressed the need for the international community’s mobility to stop punishment of Bahraini people because they are pursuing democratic change and establishment of a legal government that has commitment to justice and respects human rights.

The King of Bahrain on April ratified the constitutional amendment giving the military judiciary vast authorities, including trying civilians.

Bahraini authorities claim that this law is meant to combat terrorism, yet it brings back the same approach of military courts upon which authorities tried people by virtue of the martial law imposed by the king in March 2011.  .

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.