Khalil al-Marzooq appeared in court today (18th November) to appeal a travel ban imposed on him. Khalil al-Marzooq, an MP and political assistant of al-Wefaq's Secretary-General was banned from travelling and arrested in September for his political views and encouraging anti-government violence. He appeared in court today after spending 38 days in detention. His appeal was subsequently rejected. He is also being charged under anti-terrorism codes which can lead to him being stripped of his citizenship. His next hearing has been set for 12th December where al-Marzooq's lawyers will challenge the charges against him.
The al-Wefaq National Islamic Society have always maintained that al-Marzooq's trial is politically motivated and lacked credibility. Al-Marzooq's arrest has sparked international condemnation of Bahrain by the US, the EU and international human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
National dialogue which was due to resume were stalled following his arrest. On 3rd November, Sheikh Ali Salman, al-Wefaq's Secretary-General was charged with insulting the Ministry on Interior and was subjected to a 6 hour interrogation. He has accused the government of using national dialogue as a cover for on-going abuses. For now, the opposition has not ruled out further talks and the Bahrain government has also reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue.
National dialogue which was due to resume were stalled following his arrest. On 3rd November, Sheikh Ali Salman, al-Wefaq's Secretary-General was charged with insulting the Ministry on Interior and was subjected to a 6 hour interrogation. He has accused the government of using national dialogue as a cover for on-going abuses. For now, the opposition has not ruled out further talks and the Bahrain government has also reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue.
Human rights activists also appealed to the United States government to withhold the sale of arms to the Bahrain government and put pressure on them to adopt long-delayed reforms. In the last 13 years, the US government has sold some $1.4 billion worth of weapons to Bahrain.US based NGO, Human Rights First stated that "As Bahrain slides towards greater instability, it is time for the United States to adopt a more active approach, making clear that there will be serious consequences for the Bahrain regime if it continues to fail to reform."
Bahrain is also home to the US Gulf fifth fleet and a $580 million military project to develop the naval base is also under way. The Obama administration has been heavily criticised for its "ambiguous and inconsistent" approach to Bahrain. Despite the violent crackdowns on protesters and detention of hundreds of activists, the US has failed to act or impose any sanctions on the Bahrain government.
A recent report titled "Plan B for Bahrain: What the US should do next" by Human Rights First states that, "The United States should adopt a new approach to Bahrain to promote long-term stability and reduce the chances of one day having to decide where it should relocate the Fifth Fleet."
There has been little follow through on the recommendations made and no government official has been held accountable for the deaths of activists and key political figures in detention. Human Rights First's Brian Dooley in his brief stated that "Bahrain is a strategic regional ally of the United States and is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. The United States should rethink its strategy as human rights abuses persist on the fleet's doorstep."
There has been little follow through on the recommendations made and no government official has been held accountable for the deaths of activists and key political figures in detention. Human Rights First's Brian Dooley in his brief stated that "Bahrain is a strategic regional ally of the United States and is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. The United States should rethink its strategy as human rights abuses persist on the fleet's doorstep."
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