Brussels, 05/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 4 November, the EU welcomed the decision by a Bahraini court on Sunday to release human rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab from custody. He had been in pre-trial detention since 1 October (see EUROPE 11168).
Catherine Ray, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, stated that the EU would continue to monitor Rajab's case closely “until the next hearing scheduled for 20 January 2015”. “While fully respecting the independence of the Bahraini justice system, we remain hopeful that the Bahraini authorities will stand by their international commitments to promote and protect fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of expression, and that they will act proportionally in all instances when provisions of national laws may be perceived as limiting those freedoms”, Ray stated.
The EU also reiterated its encouragement to all sides in Bahrain to act “constructively and in good faith in a spirit of joint responsibility” for the continuation of national dialogue and reconciliation. (CG)