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September 11, 2014

Bahrain Allies Urged to Pressure Monarchy for Political Prisoners' Release 
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Bahrain continues to face calls to release more than a dozen dissidents
and human rights activists jailed for criticizing the U.S.-backed
monarchy. Human rights activist Maryam Alkhawaja has been jailed for
over a week after trying to enter the country. Alkhawaja says customs
officials told her she no longer holds citizenship. She had been trying
to visit her ailing father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who remains on a hunger
strike behind bars. Hundreds of people have taken part in rallies inside
Bahrain since her detention. In a statement, Human Rights Watch said:
"[They] are in jail only because they vigorously called for democratic
reforms … Washington and London and others … should make their
voices heard loud and clear in Manama." Bahrain is a key U.S. government
ally, hosting the Navy's Fifth Fleet.

 

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