Bahrain has clarified that a human right activist who has been sentenced to three years in jail was not prosecuted for expressing his opinion but for breaking the law.
| That's a huge difference, you see. Everyone knows that you can always express your opinion, whatever it may be, in an Arab kingdom or emirate, but you just can't break the law, nope, nope... |
The clarification was made in response to a statement issued on August 23 by three UN experts concerning president of the dissolved Bahrain Human Right Centre Nabeel Rajab.
The Ministry of Human Rights highlighted in a statement on Saturday that Rajab participated previously in tens of protests as well as activities but authorities did not act against him because his activities were within the law. However, when he broke the law, authorities had a legitimate right to prosecute him to protect the rights of others.
Rajab is currently facing five cases before the court, one of which was challenged by his lawyers who succeeded in turning its verdict in his favour. This demonstrates that the judicial process in Bahrain is fair, independent and transparent.
| Sure, except he'll be jugged for life on the other four... |
Moreover, his lawyers can challenge the other cases before the court, the ministry added.
| Unless they also break the law... |
The statement said that the opinion of the foreign media is based on distorted information that does not reflect the real situation in the case of Rajab.
| So they get MS-NBC there too? |
Therefore, the ministry hopes that now, at a time of healing in the country, the external actors would contribute positively by encouraging all parties in Bahrain to recognise the importance of dialogue to reconcile the divisions in society created by last yearÂ’s events. |