Free Ahmed (and fix the judiciary)
Tuesday, December 21, 2004If you haven't checked it out already, please visit the Free Ahmed Blog. Ahmed was arrested in May of this year on drug related charges. It has been seven months since his arrest, but he still has not faced a trial or been released on bail. On the 12th of December, Ahmed and 63 other prisoners in similar situations commenced a hunger strike demanding either an immediate trial for their cases, or that they be released on bail until then. (To read news reports, click here).
In the new democratic era of Bahrain, the judiciary is the institution that is most in need of an overhaul. No one has any faith in our judges, if one is luck enough to get a trial that is. Like the 64 prisoners on hunger strike, there are also hundreds of other maids and expat labourers who have been abused, but get no justice because it takes so long to get a trial that no one bothers (read this). Ask Mahmood, and he will tell you about how it is a waste of time going to the courts for a fair verdict about a business related conflict, so instead most people will take a loss and settle out of court.
I'm not sure exactly what we should be doing to fix the problem, but it's important that we continue discussing the issue. Hopefully this will pave the way towards formulating a plan to bring about change.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 12/21/2004 04:43:00 pm. Permalink
12/21/2004 06:00:00 pm
Dear Chanad,
Thanks for responding to Ahmed's plight. I would like to make it clear here that this is a case of justice delayed is justice denied.
Bahrain really needs to shed its dirty old ways of dealing with its citizens if it is to aspire to a better tomorrow.
I am deeply concerned about this situation because it is against every human rights convention.
I am not defending criminals because those young men are still in custody.
They haven't been put on trial yet.
Their fate hangs in the hands of a few people. After the lost life and dishonour, what will any of those boys do if and when they are found to be innocent?