Islamic Information Center - Attend and Support IIC's Congressional Briefing on Bahrain at US Capitol

(WASHINGTON DC -- April 26, 2010) The Islamic Information Center invites you to attend the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing “Torture in Bahrain: Why Now? Why Again?” Taking place at the US Capitol, in the Rayburn Building, Capital Hill – Room 2200 on Tuesday April 27th from 12:00 to 2:00 pm followed by rally at Bahraini Embassy at 2.30 pm. This event is open to the general public for free of charge.

This Hearing will be Chaired by Congresswoman Donna Edwards, who has an outstanding record of defending Human rights around the world and will be attended by representative from State Department, Amnesty International and many organizations, including Human Rights Watch, who will present their latest report on Bahrain “Torture Redux: the Revival of Physical Coercion in Bahrain”. The press release for the report can be read here, and the actual report can be downloaded for free, in PDF format, by clicking here.

Excerpts from the Human Rights Report show ‘The Bahraini government restricts basic civil liberties, freedoms of speech, press and assembly, and many religious associations and practices. The government further condones domestic violence against women and children as well as consistent discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, nationality and sect, specifically against the majority Shia Muslim population.

While the constitution in Article 19(d) states that: “No person shall be subjected to physical or mental torture, or inducement, or undignified treatment, and the penalty for so doing shall be specified by law. Any statement or confession proved to have been made under torture, inducement, or such treatment, or the threat thereof, shall be null and void,” credible human rights NGOs and the State Department Human Rights Report for 2009 documented violations of these constitutional protections. Other concerns include women’s rights, trafficking, freedom of speech and religion, domestic violence and discrimination against the Shia population and foreign workers’ rights.

IIC needs your voice to show the US and Bahraini governments that such abuses of power will not be acceptable and the Bahraini government should be held responsible for correcting their actions and allowing democracy to prevail in Bahrain.

The rally to support this cause will be held in front of the embassy of Bahrain immediately after the hearing. The Address is 3502 International Dr. NW, Washington D.C.

IIC needs YOUR help in showing the United States Government that such abuses of power are not acceptable, and that it should hold the Bahraini government responsible for correcting their actions and allowing democracy to prevail in Bahrain. For more information contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please note that this message corrects an earlier email. This briefing is not being held by the Islamic Information Center, but instead is a meeting of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Comission and will be chaired by US Congresswoman Donna Edwards.