The appeal of Bahrain Teacher Association (BTA) leaders, Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi Abu Dheeb, has been postponed to 19 February, in order to be able to include the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report. This postponement will effectively prolong the detention of Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the BTA president. Despite his worrying health condition, the court refused to release him until the February hearing.
Jalila al-Salman, BTA vice-president, who was in contact with Mahdi for the first time since July, reported to EI that he was "very thin, weak and pale".
The online campaign launched by LabourStart in partnership with EI has already generated more than 4700 messages sent to the authorities by trade union activists and other individuals. EI encourages individual affiliates from its member organisations to take action now and join their voice to the LabourStart appeal!
Through its Urgent Action Appeal launched on 9 December, EI also invites its member organisations contact their government and the diplomatic representation of Bahrain in their country in order to put pressure on the Bahraini authorities to implement the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations and revoke the sentences and drop all charges against Jalila al-Salman, Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Deeb and other BTA leaders.
Several embassies, such as Sweden, Canada and United States, who have been monitoring the situation in the country since the spring uprising, have already responded positively to the request of EI affiliates to approach the Bahraini government.
EI will launch a new appeal to its member organisations in January in view of the 19 February hearing.