In urging Bahraini authorities to provide due process and reinstatement to academic Masaud Jahromi, CCS relied on the Dec. 10, 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. In addition to many other findings of violations of human rights by the Government in connection with recent protests, the Commission cited violations of free speech at Bahrain’s Universities.
For a full report of the Independent Commission, see http://files.bici.org.bh/BICIreportEN.pdf
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Reinstate Bahraini Academic, CCS Urges University
Professor Masaud Jahromi Arrested in Bahrain
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His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 547
Government Road
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Email: info@mofa.gov.bh
January 3, 2012
Your Highness:
We are an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world. We write now again in concern for Professor Masaud Jahromi.
Dr. Jahromi is Chairman of the Department of Telecommunication Engineering at Ahlia University’s College of Mathematical Sciences and Information Technology. We understand that Professor Jahromi was arrested on April 14, 2011 and charged with “participation in an unauthorized rally.” He was released on bail in September, pending his trial, now scheduled for January 19, 2012. He remains suspended from the University.
His trial has been postponed several times and he has no way of knowing when he will be cleared from the charges brought against him. We have protested to the Bahraini authorities Dr. Jahromi’s arrest for exercising his right to free speech and the lack of due process he has been accorded so far (including denial of access to a lawyer) in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bahrain has acceded.
Especially in light of the recent report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which included in Chapter VII, Section C findings of inappropriate restrictions on freedom of expression at university campuses, we respectfully urge the appropriate authorities to intervene in Professor Jahromi’s case. We urge authorities to ensure that the January hearing is addressed in a manner consistent not only with the Commission’s findings but also with internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial. We strongly urge authorities to allow Dr. Jahromi to resume his position at Ahlia University pending the outcome of his trial. Dr. Jahromi appears to have committed no crime and should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Sincerely,
Eugene ChudnovskyAlexander Greer
Joel Lebowitz
Walter Reich
Paul Plotz
Co-chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Copies to:
His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Office of His Majesty the King
PO Box 555, Rifa’a Palace,
Isa Town Central, Kingdom of Bahrain
His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa
Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Diplomatic Area
PO Box 450, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education Building
Al Istiklai Street, PO Box 43, Isa Town Central, Kingdom of Bahrain
Email: moe.relations@bahrain.gov.bh
Ambassador Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
3502 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni
Commission Chair
Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI)
Email: outreach@bici.org.bh
His Excellency Mr. Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh
Chairman of Shura Council
c/o Bahrain Shura Council
P.O. Box 2991, Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain
Email: info@shura.bh
Professor Abdullah Y. Al-Hawaj
President, Ahlia University
P.O. Box 10878, 1st Floor, Gosi Complex. Exhibitions Road
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Email: aalhawaj@ahliauniversity.edu.bh
Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman
Assistant Secretary Michael Posner
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
His Excellency J. Adam Ereli
Ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Bahrain
Embassy of the United States of America
Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj
Kingdom of Bahrain
Email to: info@mofa.gov.bh