On the recordJuly 22, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring attention to the plight of Mahdi Abu Dheeb. Mahdi Abu Dheeb is the founder of the Bahrain Teachers Association and was arrested after taking part in pro- democracy protests in 2011. For this so-called crime, he was tortured and sentenced to 5 years in prison by a military court. As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I call for the immediate release of Abu Dheeb and all of the prisoners of conscience. Mahdi 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 of its citizens. ____________________
