Letters on behalf of Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace of Bahrain

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Scholars at Risk calls for letters on behalf of Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace of Bahrain

September 5, 2012

Scholars at Risk calls for letters following the September 4th High Court of Appeals ruling against Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bahrain, Isa Town.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network of over 280 universities and colleges in 34 countries dedicated to promoting academic freedom and its constituent freedoms of thought, opinion, expression, association and travel. In cases involving alleged infringement of these freedoms, SAR intervenes hoping to clarify and resolve matters favorably.

SAR is gravely concerned that Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace has been sentenced to life in prison -- a sentence which was upheld by the High Court of Appeals on September 4th -- on allegations stemming from his exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of association rights protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bahrain has acceded. As SAR wrote in letters of August 27, 2010, October 14, 2010, March 18, 2011, June 22, 2011, April 27, 2012, and August 9, 2012, we respectfully urge the appropriate authorities to ensure that the continuing appeal process is a fair one, consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law, and that any charges, convictions or sentences against Dr. Al-Singace related to his peaceful exercise of human rights are lifted.

Scholars at Risk invites letters, emails and faxes be sent:

-respectfully urging the appropriate authorities to ensure that the continuing appeal process is a fair one, consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law; and

-respectfully urging the appropriate authorities to ensure that any charges, convictions or sentences against Dr. Al-Singace related to his peaceful exercise of human rights are lifted.

PLEASE WRITE TO:

Dr. Ali Bin Fadhl al-Bouainain

Attorney General

Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs

Diplomatic Area, Manama P.O. Box 450

Kingdom of Bahrain

Fax: +973 1-753-6343

COPIES TO:

Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa

Minister of the Interior

Ministry of Interior

Diplomatic Area, Manama P.O. Box 13

Kingdom of Bahrain

The Honorable Hillary R. Clinton

United States Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520, USA