Bahrain Mirror: 12 human rights organizations urged King of Bahrain to commute the death sentences of Ali Al-Arab and Ahmed Al-Malali, after the exhaustion of all legal remedies available to them after the Court of Cassation rejected their appeal.

"The cases of Mr. Ali Al-Arab and Mr. Ahmed Al-Malali raise additional concerns, however, given the allegations that their confessions were obtained under torture and their right to a fair trial was violated," the organizations said, adding "Despite allegations that Al-Arab and Al-Malali were coerced into confessing, the court relied on these confessions to convict them."

The organizations called on King Hamad not to ratify the death sentences imposed on the two men and to ensure they are not executed. They also urged him to order a retrial that fully complies with international fair trial standards and excludes evidence obtained under torture, and to carry out an independent and impartial investigation into the men's claims of torture.

The signatories are:

1. International Service for Human Rights

2. Reprieve

3. Global Legal Action Network

4. Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture - Germany

5. Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture - France

6. Fair Trials

7. European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights

8. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy

9. World Organisation Against Torture

10. Amnesty International

11. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain

12. Human Rights Watch.

Arabic Version