ICSFT CONDEMNS THE EXECUTION OF THREE SHIA MEN BY BAHRAIN

ICSFT condemns in the strongest terms the extra judicial killings of three Shia men who were convicted of killing three police officers in a bomb attack in March 2014, according to the authorities, by the Bahrain regime. The death sentences were the first to be carried out in Bahrain since 2010, and protesters claimed that confessions were extracted under torture.

Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, condemned the executions in a tweet saying: “Torture, unfair trial + flimsy evidence: these are extrajudicial killings.”

Although the Bahraini government claims  the decision was taken "in accordance with international law", it is evident that torture and partial trial have taken precedent in this case as it is the norm in the countries judicial system.

This is nothing short of an outrage and a disgraceful breach of international law that Bahrain has gone ahead with these executions. This extrajudicial killing is part of the escalated crackdown by the Sunni-ruled kingdom on its Shia critics, including imprisoning a top rights campaigner, shuttering the main opposition block and revoking the community’s spiritual leader of his citizenship.

Human rights organizations and activists are denouncing this barbaric act of Bahraini government. Ahmed Alwadaei of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said "This is a black day in Bahrain's history. It is the most heinous crime committed by the government of Bahrain and a shame upon its rulers. This act is a security threat to Bahrain and the entire region,"

Amnesty International said the executions were carried out "after an unfair trial and despite claims from the men that they were tortured in custody"

ICSFT urges the international community including the UN to call on Bahraini government for human rights reform, in particular we call up on the human rights council to make this extrajudicial killing and torture a priority concern during the upcoming 34^th HRC session.

International Council Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights