Bahrain Mirror: Germany voiced its concern at the Bahraini Government's latest measures against the largest Bahraini opposition party, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, that coincided with the arrest of Nabeel Rajab and toughening the sentence against Sheikh Ali Salman, calling on the Government of Bahrain to reconsider these measures.

"I am concerned about the Bahraini Government's latest measures against the opposition party, Al Wefaq. I also view the rearrest of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab and the increased prison term imposed on the Secretary General of Al Wefaq, Sheikh Ali Salman, with concern," said Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office.

"These measures are an unfortunate step backwards as regards freedom of association and the rule of law in Bahrain. Banning the largest opposition party does not fit in with a country whose parliamentary tradition dates back over 40 years. Marginalising the opposition entails the risk of further polarisation in society and thus makes it harder to restart the national dialogue. We therefore call on the Bahraini Government to reconsider these measures. Rule of law principles must be upheld," she further stated.

Arabic Version