PEN International welcomes the release on bail of blogger and activist Zainab al-Khawaja on December 20, 2011. However, PEN remains deeply concerned that she still faces charges for her peaceful activities, and so urges the Bahraini authorities to abide by their obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and calls for the unconditional release of Zainab al-Khawaja and of all those currently detained in Bahrain solely for the peaceful expression their opinions.

Background Information

On December 15, 2011, Zainab al-Khawaja was arrested by security forces in the Bahraini capital of Manama for her participation in a peaceful protest. She is the daughter of human rights defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence for his peaceful opposition activities. The Bahraini Public Prosecutor decided to release Zainab pending trial for allegedly assaulting a police officer and taking part in an illegal protest. Zainab’s detention was widely circulated on the Internet. There is video footage of her arrest. Since her release, Zainab has continued updating her Twitter account.

Protests led by Bahrain’s majority Shia community against the government’s policies have been underway since mid-February 2011. The Bahraini security forces responded with excessive force, using tear gas and live bullets to disperse demonstrators. Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed and many more wounded. The Bahraini government declared a State of Emergency on March 15, 2011, and brought in troops from neighboring Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia to help suppress dissent. The State of Emergency was lifted on June 3, 2011, but those arrested and charged under that law have not been released. Opposition sources estimate that some 400 people are currently on trial for their support of the protests, and further arrests and demonstrations are continuing. An inquiry by an international panel of human rights experts found police had used excessive force and King Hamad has pledged reforms.

Write A Letter

  • Welcoming the release of blogger Zainab al-Khawaja, but expressing serious concerns that she still faces trial;
  • Urging the Bahraini authorities to abide by their obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Bahrain solely for the peaceful expression their opinions, including Zainab Al-Khawaja.

Send Your Letter To

His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O.Box 555
Rifa’a Palace
Kingdom of Bahrain.
Fax: +973 176 64 587

Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P.O.Box 450
Al-Manama
Bahrain
Fax: +973 175 31 284

Dr. Fatima AL-Balushi
Minister of Human Rights and Social Development, Acting Minister of Health
Ministry of Human Rights and Development
Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Bahrain in your country if possible.

Please send appeals immediately. Contact PEN if sending appeals after January 30, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org