ITF: 'Time to halt Bahrain trials'

24 October 2011

The ITF is once again calling for an immediate halt to the highly politicised trials taking place in Bahrain.

Speaking ahead of the latest trial – of Shukri Hassan, president of the Bahrain DHL workers’ union and eight of his colleagues tomorrow on charges of ‘violating national security’ – ITF general secretary David Cockroft said:

“Tomorrow it’s DHL trade unionists, next month it’s Gulf Air trade unionists, last month it was doctors and medics. These trials, often taking place outside the civil system and on spurious charges, have to stop.”

He continued: “Once again we appeal to the government of Bahrain to step back from this victimisation – as we know some of them would like to do – and call off these trials.”

Last week the ITF, along with the rest of the world’s biggest trade union organisations, appealed directly to Bahrain’s royal family to act to reverse the prosecutions and mass sackings of those who joined pro-democracy actions in the country.

All 13 global union federations wrote to Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to recommend urgent action to repeal the unjust imprisonment and victimisation that has seen journalists, medics, teachers and trade unionists jailed and sacked. The text of the letter can be seen at www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/6543/region/1/section/0/order/1

The ITF, along with other concerned organisations, is seeking an urgent meeting with representatives of the government of Bahrain in the UK.

ENDS

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