June 22, 2011: Equitas is concerned for one of its alumni who received a life sentence for his human rights activism in Bahrain.

Abdulhadi Al Khawaja was found guilty today by a military tribunal and sentenced to life imprisonment for his efforts to promote and protect human rights in Bahrain.  According to Frontline, who were monitoring his trial, it failed to meet internationally recognised fair trial standards.  Abdulhadi is the former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and has been active in the pro-democracy movement.  He attended Equitas’ International Human Rights Training Program in 2004 and has been a member of our Middle East and North Africa alumni network ever since. Given allegations of mistreatment while under detention, we are concerned for Abdulhadi’s safety.  We also believe his sentence represents a violation of his basic human rights, including freedoms of expression, association and from arbitrary detention. For more information about this case, please visit:  http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/15363 Human rights educators gathered in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue for the 32nd annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) demonstrated their solidarity with Abdulhadi on June 23, 2011 and demanded his immediate and unconditional release. Here is the video: To express your concerns, write to the King: Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa Office of His Majesty the King P.O. Box 555 Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama, Bahrain Fax: + 973 17664587 Salutation: Your Majesty