Joint Statement: Bahrain must end harassment of human rights defender Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), together with IFEX members and other groups from around the world urge the government of Bahrain to respect the rights of internationally renowned interfaith leader and human rights advocate.

We, the undersigned civil society groups working to promote and defend freedom of expression worldwide, write to you to condemn the ongoing harassment of human rights defenders in Bahrain and call on you to drop all charges pending against Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman.

Sheikh Maytham is an internationally respected interfaith leader andhuman rights advocate. His work focuses on defending religious freedom and countering violent extremism while supporting the right to freedom of expression in accordance with international human rights standards. In October of 2015, Sheikh Maytham was honoured for his work with the Interfaith Communities for Justice and Peace “Advocate for Peace” award.

Bahraini authorities have harassed Sheikh Maytham on numerous occasions, including two separate incidents in 2015 when he was detained for his human rights activities. He was most recently summoned in connection to the content of a speech he gave on 27 December, the anniversary of the arrest of prisoner of conscience Sheikh Ali Salman, in which he drew attention to the violations of international fair trial standards that took place.

After being interrogated at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) Sheikh Maytham was accused of “expressing views regarding a case still in court” and “inciting hatred against the regime”. The levelling of such accusations is part of an ongoing effort to silence human rights defenders through restrictive measures aimed at punishing those who speak out on political or social issues.

These measures are in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Bahrain has been asignatory to since 2006. It also contradicts the obligations of the state to protect human rights defenders, as derived from their obligation to protect all human rights under Article 2 of the ICCPR.

Rather than ensure their protection, Bahrain has made a habit out ofpersecuting dissidents and activists. Sheikh Maytham joins other high-profile individuals like BCHR President Nabeel Rajab, activist Zainab al-Khawaja and human rights defender Naji Fateel that have been targeted for their work and denied their right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The undersigned call on the Government of Bahrain to allow the important work of Sheikh Maytham and others who bring human rights violations to light to be conducted unimpeded, as provided for under theICCPR and other relevant international human rights standards by takingthe following steps:

• Drop all pending charges against Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman for exercising his right to freedom of speech;
• Release all prisoners who have been convicted for their political opinions; and
• Fully comply with the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI); particularly those that ensure the right to freedom of expression, opinion and assembly are respected.

Signed, Bahrain Center for Human Rights
ActiveWatch – Media Monitoring Agency
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain
ARTICLE 19
Association of Caribbean Media Workers
Bytes for All
Cambodian Centre for Independent Media
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Centre for Independent Journalism - Malaysia
Foundation for Press Freedom - FLIP
Freedom Forum
Gulf Centre for Human Rights
Independent Journalism Center - Moldova
Index on Censorship
Initiative for Freedom of Expression - Turkey
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information
Journaliste en danger
Maharat Foundation
MARCH
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Media Foundation for West Africa
National Union of Somali Journalists
Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión - OLA
Pacific Islands News Association
Pakistan Press Foundation
PEN American Center
PEN Canada
Social Media Exchange - SMEX
Vigilance pour la Démocratie et l’État Civique
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters - AMARC

Aman Network for Rehabilitation and Defending Human Rights
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
Bahrain Forum for Human Rights
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
CIVICUS
Columbia Global Freedom of Expression
European Bahraini Organisation for Human Rights
European Centre for Rights and Democracy
FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Global Human Rights Group
International Centre for Supporting Rights and Freedoms
International Service for Human Rights
Justice Human Right Organisation
Khiam Rehabilitation
Ligue Algerienne Pour La Defense Des Droits De L'homme
Media Monitoring Group (Tunis)
Nidal Tagheer Organization for Defending Rights, Yemen
No Peace Without Justice
Salam for Democracy and Human Rights
Sentinel Human Rights Defenders
Tunisian League for Human Rights
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Yemen Organization for Defending Rights & Democratic Freedoms