BAHRAIN: Blood on the streets, injustice in the courts from AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 7JUN11

THE U.S. government and military MUST demand the government of Bahrain release all political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and end the show trials for those arrested for protesting for and supporting the nonviolent demonstrations for freedom, democracy and the end of corruption in the Bahraini government. We have been on the wrong side of people struggling for their human rights too many times, we can not continue doing so and must demand the government of Bahrain free these people and recognize their Universal Human Rights. Click the link to participate in this action from AI, Amnesty International....

	Bahraini officials couldn't silence activists on the streets, so they'll try to do it in the courtroom.
	Hi Supporter, Emergency rule was lifted in Bahrain last week. While the harsh laws responsible for the widespread government crackdowns against civilians are no longer being enforced, the injustice remains. The long (and growing) list of people being paraded in front of military courts is simply appalling! This week, nearly 50 of the brave doctors and nurses who treated protestors during the months of bitter and bloody street violence are being called into court.1 Furthermore, a total of 21 opposition figures, including seven in absentia, who led and participated in the demonstrations, are being tried in military court without proper access to lawyers, their families, or foreign media coverage. Several of these individuals are likely prisoners of conscience. The people of Bahrain were too powerful to be finished off in the streets. Stop Bahraini officials from trying to silence them behind the closed doors of military courts! In May, President Obama had called on Bahraini authorities to respect their citizens' human rights. Since then, the U.S. has done little to follow through with diplomatic pressure. President Obama said that "the only way forward is for the government and opposition to engage in a dialogue, and you can't have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail." We couldn't agree with you more, Mr. President. That's why we're encouraging the U.S. to turn up the volume on its calls to Bahraini authorities. Demand that all opposition figures currently on trial be: 1) granted regular access to their lawyers and families and 2) released immediately and unconditionally, if held solely for criticizing the authorities. Far too many civilians have already lost their lives on the streets of Bahrain. Taking action now could mean protecting others from losing their freedom in court. In Solidarity, Christoph Koettl Crisis Campaigner, Middle East and North Africa Amnesty International USA