Bahrain: Spanish MP Fernando Adolfo Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu Expresses Concern Regarding the Death Sentences Upheld Against Bahraini Citizens Ali AlArab and Ahmed AlMalali through a Parliamentary Question

On 1 July 2019, Spanish Member of Parliament (MP) Fernando Adolfo Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu tabled a parliamentary question to highlight the risk of executions of Ali AlArab and Ahmad AlMalali.

In this parliamentary question, the MEPs reiterated the information on the two cases, pointing out that they had been victims of arbitrary arrest, mass trial and torture. He asked the Spanish government if they were aware of the human rights violations surrounding their cases. In addition, he asked whether the Spanish Government would join the various international human rights organisations in lifting the sentences against Ali and AlArab. Finally, he also asked the Spanish government if it intends to contact the Bahrain din government to establish a moratorium on the death penalty since executions are unacceptable and contrary to human rights.

This parliamentary question was a result of ECDHR’s advocacy efforts, and similar concerns have been established by an Italian MP, French MPs, French Senator Pierre Laurent, Swiss MPs, international NGOs, and the European Parliament.

The full parliamentary question is here.

The European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (ECDHR) welcomes the parliamentary question sent by the Spanish MP Fernando Adolfo Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu. We welcome the urgency to the commutation of AlMalali and AlArab’s sentence and the placement of a moratorium.