Gulf | Bahrain
Bahrain demands details of teachers' arrests in Saudi Arabia
Teachers' detention without explanation in Saudi Arabia could have dire consequences - lawmaker
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 21:14 March 30, 2008
Manama: A Bahraini lawmaker on Sunday warned of "dire consequences" if no further details emerged about the detention of eight Bahraini teachers in Saudi Arabia.
The teachers, who, according to their families, went to the Saudi capital Riyadh for one day, were arrested on February 29 after their cars allegedly entered a restricted zone.
But few details have emerged about their arrest despite intense diplomatic efforts by the Bahraini authorities and pressure from their families. "This is a serious case that could have very dangerous consequences if it is still ignored," Abdul Hussain Al Metghawi, MP for Al Wefaq, said in a letter to the foreign minister.
"The eight people left Bahrain one month ago and until now, there are no details about their whereabouts or why they have disappeared," the MP said in the letter, excerpts of which were published in Al Wasat newspaper.
In his call to the minister to help repatriate the detainees, Metghawi said that families were "living in agony for not having any details about the arrest. All laws in the GCC give the right to any detainee to get in touch with his family and inform them about the reason for his detention."
Bahrain's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nizar Al Baharna said that "visiting the eight detainees was impossible until the Saudi authorities gave their permission."
"We have taken all the necessary measures to monitor the case of the teachers with the Saudis, and we are ready to cooperate with the families on their suggestions so that we see what we can do," Al Baharna said in a press statement.
Joining the campaign to seek the release of the detainees, Amnesty International on Saturday said that "the Bahrain authorities are reported to have asked for clarification of the reasons for their arrest, but are yet to receive a response from the Saudi Arabian authorities or to be granted consular access to them in detention."
"We call upon the Saudi authorities to disclose their current whereabouts and allow them immediate and regular access to lawyers, families, diplomatic representatives and any necessary medical attention," Amnesty International said in a statement.
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