Bahrain dictatorship kills teenager again

This video shows the 5 April 2016 funeral of Bahraini teenager Ali Abdul Ghani, killed by the dictatorial regime.

From Global Voices:

Bahrain’s Formula 1 Grand Prix Ends in Tragedy: Teen Killed in Police Arrest

Posted 5 April 2016 18:48 GMT

Behind the fireworks, shiny racing cars and celebrations of the Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain, 17-year-old Ali Abdul Ghani was gasping for his last breath. As Nico Rosberg, the race’s winner, celebrated his victory, the young man, who was on the run, and sentenced to five years in prison, was probably already dead.

The teenager had sustained serious injuries as he was running away from security forces and masked men who attempted to arrest him. This all took place in a neighboring village to the Bahrain International Circuit just as the massive event was launched there on the March 31. ..

Yesterday, Abdul Ghani’s death was announced and today thousands marched in the village of Shahrakan, where he was buried.

From Cambridge News in England:

UK Government criticised over human rights stance following death of Cambridge student Giulio Regeni

April 05, 2016

Ministers are giving a clear impression that the UK is increasingly putting trade and security above human rights concerns, MPs warned, citing the murder of Cambridge student Giulio Regeni as a key example.

There was “plainly a perception” that the issue had been downgraded in the Government’s dealings with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee said.

The omission of Egypt and Bahrain from a Foreign Office list of countries requiring special attention helped foster the idea it “has become more hesitant in promoting and defending international human rights openly and robustly”, it said.

Last year, the FCO’s most senior civil servant made a frank admission to MPs that human rights “is not one of our top priorities” and that the “prosperity agenda is further up the list”.

From politics.co.uk:

Tuesday, 5 April 2016 1:33 PM

The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, is delighted at the news that a Bahraini teachers’ trade union leader has finally been released from prison.

Mahdi Abu Dheeb, President of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA), was arrested in 2011 for nothing more than his commitment to organising and representing the interests of teachers and calling for quality education for all children and young people in Bahrain.

The NASUWT has been working closely with the BTA and campaigning with other partners, including Amnesty International and Education International, to press for Mahdi’s release and to call on the Bahraini authorities to respect human and trade union rights.

The NASUWT congratulates its members for their support for the campaign to secure Mahdi’s release.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“While the news that Mahdi has finally been released is wonderful, the fact remains that he has lost the last five years of his life and been subjected to repeated abuse and torture while in prison simply for doing nothing more than organising and representing the interests of teachers, and calling for quality education for all children and young people in Bahrain.”

Bahrain frees female activist and toddler son: here.

The following is an open letter signed by 11 international NGOs addressed to US President Barack Obama to help free jailed human rights defenders in the Gulf prior to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) being held in Saudi Arabia on 21 April 2016: here.