MDE 11/055/2011

BAHRAIN

The final judicial decision on whether the death sentences of two Bahraini men will be upheld will be heard on 24 October. If their death sentences are upheld, the two men will be executed unless the King grants them clemency.

On 22 May, the National Safety Court of Appeal, a military court, upheld the death sentences imposed on 'Ali 'Abdullah Hassan al-Sankis and 'Abdulaziz 'Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain. The two men had been sentenced to death on 28 April, along with three other men whose sentences were commuted on 22 May. They were accused of killing two policemen during anti-government protests in March in Bahrain.

The case of the two men was referred to Bahrain's Court of Cassation on appeal. The Court of Cassation's verdict is scheduled for 24 October. If the sentences are upheld by the Court of Cassation, and then ratified by the King, the two men will be executed.

The two men were originally tried and sentenced by the National Safety Court of First Instance. Like the National Safety Court of Appeal, this is a military court comprising three judges - one military and two civilian. Amnesty International considers military courts inappropriate for trying civilians and that such trials directly infringe international standards of fair trial.

Please write immediately in Arabic or English:

- Acknowledge the Bahraini government's responsibility to protect the public and bring to justice those responsible for committing crimes, however this should always be done in accordance with international law and fair trial standards and Bahrain's international human rights obligations;

- Urge the King to immediately extend clemency to the two defendants and commute the death sentences imposed on them if the death sentences are confirmed by the Court of Cassation, and order their re-trial before ordinary criminal courts.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 23 NOVEMBER 2011 TO:

King

Shaikh Hamad bin 'Issa Al Khalifa

Office of His Majesty the King

P.O. Box 555

Rifa'a Palace, Manama, Bahrain

Fax: +973 1766 4587

Salutation: Your Majesty

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs

Shaikh Khaled bin Ali Al Khalifa

Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs

P. O. Box 450, Manama, Bahrain
Fax: +973 17531284

Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

BAHRAINS AMBASSAD BELGRAVE SQUARE

GB-LONDON SW1 X 8QB, UNITED KINGDOM

FAX + 44 207-20 191 83

E-post: information@bahrainembassy.co.uk

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

This is the third update of UA 122/11. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE11/035/2011/en 

Name: 'Ali 'Abdullah Hassan al-Sankis and 'Abdulaziz 'Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain.
Gender m/f: both male