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NEWS • VIEWS • INFORMATION • ADVICE





Campaign to free Bahraini trade unionists



(Photo of Dr Patrick Roach)



"…The NASUWT will not be deflected from campaigning to secure their release from prison, reinstating them back into their jobs, and for the authorities to respect the rights of the BTA under international human rights law"



The NASUWT has been increasing the pressure on authorities in Bahrain for the release of two teacher trade unionists who have been imprisoned and tortured.



Dr Patrick Roach, Deputy General Secretary of the NASUWT [above], was part of an international delegation which flew to Bahrain last month to call for the release of Mahdi Issa Abu Dheeb, President of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA), and Vice-President Jalila Al Salman.



Both activists have been unjustly incarcerated and subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly during the recent anti-government protests in Bahrain. There is no evidence that the BTA used or advocated violence during the recent protests.



The NASUWT believes that their arrest and detention is a deliberate attempt by the authorities to undermine the ability of the BTA to organise and operate in Bahrain.



Judges at an appeal hearing earlier this month refused to free the pair and denied them access to medical support, despite the poor health of Mahdi who is suffering from kidney problems and injuries sustained in the beatings by government forces. Independent human rights observers were also denied access to the hearing.



The king of Bahrain, Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa, refused to meet with the delegation to hear their calls for the release of both men, despite initially agreeing to listen to their concerns.



The group was able to meet with the Minister of Labour and one of Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Ministers to press the case and the ministers agreed to enter into negotiations with the General Federation of Bahraini Trade Unions. They refused to be drawn on the charges against members of the BTA, saying it was a matter for the courts to decide.



Bahraini trade unionists remain sceptical about any promises of action by the authorities and believe that the beating, repression and abduction of teachers and students will continue without concerted pressure from the international community.



The delegation heard horrific testimonies from BTA members of the extent of the abuse being meted out by the authorities.



Schools are being targeted by police visits to intimidate staff and pupils, with students being recruited by the police to attack their ‘traitor’ teachers.



Many staff and students are also at risk of being suspended or dismissed by their schools on the basis of false and uncorroborated claims against them. In one case, a child as young as 12 years of age has been sentenced to jail in an adult prison on charges of anti-government activity.



Dr Roach said: “This is a deplorable situation and further confirmation of the contempt which the authorities in Bahrain hold for international law and fundamental human rights.



“The NASUWT will not be deflected from campaigning to secure their release from prison, reinstating them back into their jobs, and for the authorities to respect the rights of the BTA under international human rights law.”



The NASUWT has written to Prime Minister David Cameron to urge him to put pressure on the Bahraini authorities to release Mahdi and Jalila and end the violence against the Bahraini people. The Union will also be continuing to work with trade union partners internationally to keep up the pressure on the Bahrain Government.



NASUWT members are also being urged to write to the Bahraini authorities and the Bahrain ambassador to show their support for the campaign and keep up the pressure on the Government.



Visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Bahrain





Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 2012



Trade unionists will once again be gathering in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle this July to commemorate the founding of the trade union movement.



The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival is an annual celebration of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs and their quest for workers’ rights, a fight that led to the formation of trade unions as we know them today.



The Martyrs were all employed as farm labourers and paid very little, living in poverty as a result. Their leader, George Loveless, decided to set up a union in Tolpuddle to give the labourers bargaining strength.



This was ferociously opposed by landowners who, supported by the Government, acted to suppress the workers’ protest. The Martyrs were sentenced to seven years’ transportation to the penal colonies of Australia, ‘not for anything they had done, but as an example to others’.



The three-day festival remembers the Martyrs’ brave sacrifice and attracts trade unionists from across the UK, including a delegation from the NASUWT, to take part in a march and enjoy a programme of music and speakers.



The 2012 festival is being held from Friday 13 July to Sunday 15 July.



For more information on the festival and to book, please visit www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk