At a seven-minute court session , the names of 20 defendants were read, the guilty verdicts announced, and prison sentences of up to 15 years handed out.
These defendants, all doctors and other health professionals, were tried in a military court for supposedly trying to overthrow the Bahrainian Government during the protests earlier this year.
"These are simply ludicrous charges against civilian professionals who were working to save lives amid very trying circumstances," said Philip Luther, deputy director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africia Program. "It appears that the real reason for targeting these health workers was the fact that they denounced the government crackdown on protesters in interviews to international media."
The charges against these individuals included inciting hatred against the regime, occupying Manama's Salamaniya Medical Complex (the place they worked) by force, stealing medicines, and stockpiling arms at the hospital.
This is the story of numerous ordinary civilians- including doctors, teachers, and human rights activists- who have been tried in military court for protests against the government. Amnesty International is only one of the Non-Governmental Organizations who have joined ranks with assorted governments to rally behind these civilians in the hopes of-at least- getting them tried by a civilian, not military court.
To join our action, please click here, and for more information on this and other human rights issues, please go to the Amnesty USA homepage.
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