Statement by Rep. Mcgovern on Detention of Nabeel Rajab

Washington, DC, October 2, 2014
I strongly protest the detention of Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, and I call upon the Government of Bahrain to release him immediately.

I strongly protest the detention of Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, and I call upon the Government of Bahrain to release him immediately.  According to reports by international human rights organizations, Mr. Rajab was detained for questioning because he posted criticism of the government on his Twitter account.  If the U.S. and the Government of Bahrain are to remain allies, then Bahrain, at a minimum, must uphold the right to freedom of expression, which includes criticism of the government. It is outrageous that Nabeel Rajab could once again face years of imprisonment for the non-violent expression of an opinion.