Letter regarding ongoing imprisonment of Bahraini academic Dr Al-Singace

On 4 January, the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom wrote to Bahraini authorities to express our concern about the ongoing imprisonment of Bahraini academic Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace and the violations of his academic freedom. Dr Al-Singace has been imprisoned since 2011 for his role in peaceful protests calling for democratic reform in Bahrain.

We echo concerns about Dr Al-Singace's health and wellbeing raised by numerous prominent organisations, including Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and PEN International. Specifically, we note that his imprisonment for exercising his right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, the confiscation of his manuscript and the refusal to return it to him or to his family constitute clear violations of Dr Al-Singace's academic freedom.

We respectfully request his immediate and unconditional release, that Dr Al-Singace receives appropriate medical care, that his academic work be returned and that he be able to continue his research and publish his academic works in Bahrain.