Irish delegation to visit Bahrain

12 July, 2011 14:39

shiitenews_Saudi_throne_likely_to_cause_chaos An Irish delegation plans to visit the Bahraini capital Manama to attempt to determine the fate of 47 doctors and nurses arrested during the anti-government protests in the Persian Gulf state.

The delegation, headed by Professor Damian McCormack, includes Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Marian Harkin, Fianna Fail Senator Averil Power, former foreign affairs minister David Andrews, Â and representatives from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO).

Bahrain has released 34 doctors and paramedics who were detained during the brutal crackdown on massive demonstrations in March but announced that they would soon be tried in special military courts.

Many of the doctors have stated that they were coerced to sign confessions through torture while in police custody.

The delegation, which plans to leave for Manama on July 12, has requested to hold talks with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa through Bahrain’s embassy in London.

“It’s quite extraordinary for doctors to be arrested in any country. These doctors were arrested for doing their jobs,â€ the Herald quoted Senator Power as saying.

Protests against the rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty in Bahrain began in mid-February.

On March 14, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed troops to the kingdom to help the Bahraini forces suppress the nationwide protests.

Scores of people have been killed and many more arrested for demanding the ouster of the Al Khalifa family since the beginning of the protests.