Brussels, 04/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The death sentences pronounced on four anti-government demonstrators in Bahrain on 28 April have brought calls for help to be posted by thousands of Bahrainis on the European Parliament's Facebook page. Affected by these calls, the chairpersons of three committees, Gabriele Albertini (foreign affairs), Heidi Hautala (human rights sub-committee) and Angelika Niebler (delegation for relations with the Arab peninsula) published a statement on 3 May in which they condemn the death sentences and express doubts over the proper conduct and fairness of the trial conducted before a special military court. “At a time when further trials are taking place, the Bahraini population, especially young people using social networks such as Facebook, is turning to the European Parliament for support. We feel that the Bahraini authorities should listen to their concerns and call on the authorities to impose a moratorium on executions, to ensure fair trials with adequate legal representation and the right to appeal, and to guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the three MEPs say. They also hope to express their views and to discuss the situation at a meeting with the ambassador of Bahrain in Brussels “in the very near future”. (H.B./transl.rt)