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Two years have passed since the arrest of Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the Bahrain Teachers’ Association leader, and his agony continues.

The 6thof April is marking the second anniversary of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association leader Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s imprisonment.

In this regard, EI is calling on member organisations to join Mahdi in his continued struggle and to demand his immediate release. It invites to take action now and send appeals (using a model letter).

Mahdi Abu Deeb has been imprisoned since 2011; when the popular protests began in Bahrain. He is detained in Jaw Prison under difficult conditions; he is denied medical treatment required by his doctor. Mahdi shares his cell with criminals, but he has committed no crime!

The BTA leader has been detained on false charges under laws that repress basic human and trade union rights.

Mahdi was arrested and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment before unfair military court (National Safety Court) on freedom of expression-related charges after participating in peaceful protests in 2011. The government says that charges related to freedom of expression were dropped and only criminal charges were retained for Mahdi’s appeal hearings.

On 21 October 2012, the appeal court upheld the guilty verdict against the head of the BTA leader, but reduced his prison sentences to five years. Mahdi will have his last chance of appeal before the highest Court in Bahrain; the Cassation Court; and till now dates have not yet been set.

The allegations put forward by Mahdi’ lawyers have still not been investigated by the authorities.

EI remains extremely concerned about the very repressive climate faced by teacher trade union activists and students in the country.  EI is also committed to support teacher’s rights in Bahrain which are crucial to ensure young people access to quality education. Hundreds of teachers have suffered harassment, dismissal, salaries cuts and suspension from their work and studies since the protests began in 2011.

Furthermore, EI reiterates its call on the Bahraini authorities to put an end to any act of harassment against teacher unionists, and recalls their obligation to comply with the international human rights standards ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In a separate development, Jalila Al Salman Vice President of the BTA has been awarded at the NASUWT annual conference, where she received the International Solidarity award. The NASUWT colleagues met with the Foreign Commonwealth officials together with Jalila and called them to maintain the pressure on the Bahraini authorities.

"We need to pressure the Bahraini government with letters, petitions and more in order to ensure justice for Mahdi Abu Dheeb," said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen.