Call to release political prisoner in Bahrain

Khalil Al Marzooq, an ex-Parliamentarian of Bahrain arrested a week ago on the basis of politically motivated charges of incitement to violence and terrorism, should be immediately released, Labour’s Associate Disarmament spokesperson Ross Robertson says.

As President of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), Ross Robertson says Khalil Al Marzooq served as a democratically elected member of Bahrain’s House of Representatives from 2006 to 2010, before being re-elected for another four-year team. In 2010 he was elected Deputy Speaker of Bahrain’s Parliament.

However, in March 2011 Khalil Al Marzooq, along with the other 18 opposition Parliamentarians in the 40-seat lower house of Parliament, resigned as a protest against the use of violence by authorities against peaceful activists holding demonstrations in the Pearl Roundabout and throughout the country.

“From 2006 and until his resignation, Khalil Al Marzooq served as a member of PGA, and led initiatives of political dialogue with the government and the opposition to enhance the respect of the rule of law in Bahrain.

“He also promoted the ratification by Bahrain and other countries in the Arab region of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. His leadership and constructive contribution to PGA saw him elected as a member of our executive committee.

“We in PGA remain convinced Khalil Al Marzooq’s stance as a staunch defender of real civic participation in decision-making, non-discrimination, equal opportunity and security for all, holds a promise for the better future and stronger rule of law in Bahrain.

“On behalf of PGA I have sent an open letter to the King of Bahrain, presenting a respectful appeal for his immediate release.

“We stand in solidarity with Khalil Al Marzooq and other political prisoners, and call for the halting of the persecution of peaceful activists in Bahrain,” Ross Robertson says.

—