2011: Bahrain: Zainab Al-Khawaja
His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Office of His Majesty the King
P.O. Box 555
Rifa’a Palace
Kingdom of Bahrain
Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs
P.O. Box 450
Al-Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
Dr. Fatima AL-Balushi
Minister of Human Rights and Social Development, Acting Minister of Health
Ministry of Human Rights and Development
Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
Oslo, 19th December 2011
Your excellency,
The non-political association of writers, PEN International, is protesting the arrest of blogger and activist Zainab Al-Khawaja solely for peacefully exercising her right to free expression. We are also deeking assurances that she is not ill-treated whilst detained.
Furthermore, we are urging the Bahraini authorities to abide by their obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Bahrain solely for the peaceful expression their opinions.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours sincerely,
Fredrik Giertsen
Norwegian PEN
Wergelandsveien 29
0167 Oslo
Norway
Copy to:
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
30 Belgrave Square
GB-London SW1X 8QB
United Kingdom
