Rep. Johnson calls for release of Bahraini prisoner of conscience during Defending Freedoms Project Action Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Hank Johnson spoke from the House floor July 22 to call for the release of Bahraini prisoner of conscience Mahdi Abu Dheeb.

Johnson took up Abu Dheeb’s cause as a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s Defending Freedoms Project, which encourages members of Congress to adopt prisoners of conscience in foreign countries.

The goal of the project is for members to use their platform as public officials to spread public awareness and attain the release of such prisoners.

Abu Dheeb, leading member of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association, was arrested in 2011 after organizing a strike. He was charged with “inciting hatred of the regime” and tried before a military court, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The sentence was later commuted to five years, two of which Abu Dheeb has already served. He has been subject to solitary confinement and torture during his imprisonment.

“Abu Dheeb is a nonviolent activist, imprisoned for his beliefs. His release would send a message that the Bahraini government cares about freedom, prosperity, and justice for all its citizens,” Johnson said.

To view the floor speech, click HERE.

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