TIMELINE \u2013 27th June 2011 19.44 GMT:
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INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF BAHRAIN PROTESTER TRIALS CONTINUES:<\/p>\n
International condemnation of the harsh sentences imposed by the Bahraini government\u2019s \u201cspecial\u201d military court on some of its citizens arrested after the recent protests, continues to spread around the world.<\/p>\n
In Ireland, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, said he was \u201cappalled\u201d at the life sentences given to 7 leading protesters recently. One of them, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, had previously been the Middle East protection co-ordinator with the Irish Human Rights organisation Front Line.<\/p>\n
Mary Lawlor, Front Line\u2019s Director, said, \u201cThis trial was a total legal charade and followed his brutal arrest and torture for exercising his legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association by campaigning for democracy and human rights in Bahrain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Niall Holohan, Ireland\u2019s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia met with the Bahraini Ambassador to Riyadh last week and expressed Ireland and its people\u2019s deep concern over the matter.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gilmore added in a statement that Ireland would continue to raise human rights issues in Bahrain bilaterally and in conjunction with its EU partners at every appropriate opportunity.<\/p>\n
Abdulhadi al-Khawaja whilst born in Bahrain, is in fact a naturalised Danish citizen and was given politiical asylum in Denmark in 1991. He is well known for establishing the Bahrain Human Rights Organisation (BHRO).<\/p>\n
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lene Espersen, took up his case in May after reports that al-Khawaja had been \u201ctortured and sexually asaulted\u201d while awaiting trial, because the Bahraini authorities refused to investigate those charges.<\/p>\n
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\n Abdulhadi al-Khawaja Fighting for Human Rights in Bahrain<\/p>\n
Despite promises made to the Danish Government by Bahrain\u2019s Foreign Affairs Minister, access to al-Khawaja in prison has still not been granted to Danish representatives.<\/p>\n
The Danish Government has a right of access visits to any of its nationals under the terms of International Law, despite the fact that al-Khawaja retains dual citizenship of Bahrain.<\/p>\n
Following his conviction last Wednesday, al-Khawaja told the court that the Bahraini people would continue to fight against the country\u2019s authoritarian regime. He was then hit by court officers and dragged from the room, reports public broadcaster DR.<\/p>\n
Maryam al-Kwawaja, his daughter said after the sentence was handed down, \u201cIt is a typical reaction for an authoritarian regime. They suppress everybody who criticises the establishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Al-Khawaja\u2019s other daughter Zainab, who was in the courtroom for the hearing, protested when the sentence was announced. She was also dragged out of the courtroom and arrested afterwards but released 2 hours later.<\/p>\n
At the same hearing, 7 others were given life sentences and 13 more sentences of between 2 and 15 years.<\/p>\n
Condemnation of the Bahraini Governments oppressive and heavy handed opproach to dissenters has also been expressed in support of the 47 doctors and nurses on trial in the same court for \u201cattempting to overthrow the monarchy.\u201d http:\/\/www.petercliffordonline.com\/bahrain-news\/<\/p>\n