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Scholarsat Risk calls for letters: Bahraini professor sentenced to life in prison

Scholarsat Risk calls for letters: Bahraini professor sentenced to life in prison

Scholarsat Risk calls for letters: Bahraini professor sentenced to life in prison

Date: June 22,2011

Scholars at Risk(SAR) is gravely concerned about reports that Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, aprofessor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bahrain, Isa Town, hasbeen sentenced to life in prison. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urgingthe appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being, to ensurethat Dr. Al-Singace receives a fair opportunity to appeal this most recentsentence before an impartial tribunal, and to ensure that any charges orconvictions related to his protected expressive activities are lifted.

Scholars at Riskis an international network of over 250 universities and colleges in 30countries dedicated to promoting academic freedom and its constituent freedomsof thought, opinion, expression, association and travel. In cases like Dr.Al-Singace’s involving alleged infringement of these freedoms, SAR investigateshoping to clarify and resolve matters favorably.

Scholars at Riskhas received reports that on June 22, 2011, Dr. Al-Singace was sentenced tolife in prison on allegations stemming from his exercise of internationallyrecognized rights of free expression and association, as protected in theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civiland Political Rights, to which Bahrain has acceded. SAR remains deeply concernedby continuing reports that Dr. Al-Signace is being held incommunicado, withoutregular access to medical care—which is of particular concern given that Dr.Al-Singace is partially paralyzed from poliomyelitis—and without regular accessto his family or to legal representation.

Scholars at Riskrespectfully urges authorities to intervene to ensure Dr. Al-Singace’swell-being while in custody, including ensuring regular access to legal counselof his choosing, to family and to medical treatment. Furthermore, SARrespectfully urges authorities to ensure that Dr. Al-Singace receives a fairopportunity to appeal this most recent sentence before an impartial tribunal,that any charges or convictions related to his protected expressive activitiesare lifted, and that in the interim, his case is addressed in a mannerconsistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trialand detention, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under internationallaw.

Scholars at Riskinvites letters, emails and faxes be sent:

-respectfullyurging authorities to intervene to ensure Dr. Al-Singace’s well-being while incustody, including ensuring regular access to legal counsel of his choosing, tofamily and to medical treatment; and

-respectfullyurging authorities to ensure that Dr. Al-Singace receives a fair opportunity toappeal this most recent sentence before an impartial tribunal, that any chargesor convictions related to his protected expressive activities are lifted, andthat in the interim, his case is addressed in a manner consistent withinternationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention,in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law.

PLEASE WRITE TO:

His HighnessShaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa

Prime Minister

Ministry ofForeign Affairs

P.O. Box 547

Government Road

Manama

Kingdom ofBahrain

Email to: info@mofa.gov.bh 

Fax to: +9731-753-6343

COPIES TO:

The Honorable_________

Ambassador ofBahrain to [YOUR COUNTRY]

[POSTAL ADDRESS]

[FAX]

[EMAIL]

(See http://www.bahrainembassy.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=section.home&id=74for contact information of embassies worldwide.)

The Honorable_________

Ambassador of[YOUR COUNTRY] to Bahrain

[POSTAL ADDRESS]

[FAX]

[EMAIL]

Scholars at Risk

New YorkUniversity

194 MercerStreet, 4th floor

New York, NY10012 USA

Email: scholarsatrisk@nyu.edu  

Fax: +1 (212)995-4402

To view a modelletter of appeal, as well as a copy of SAR’s letter, please visit: http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu/Education-Advocacy/Alerts-Scholars-in-Prison.php.