Update

• On27 April 2011, Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Chief of Public Information, announced the release of 312 detainees. He said that the ongoing trials guarantee fair trial in accordance with applicable laws and international human rights standards, which allow the accused to communicate with their families and lawyers. Trials were also attended by representatives from the Arab and European human rights organizations. Verdicts can be appealed against as well. He added that 24 doctors and 23 nurses and paramedics were arrested and interrogated, and that they will be brought to trial.

• A committee, chaired by the Minister of Labour, was formed to look at issues related to dismissed workers in order to ensure the safety of the legal proceedings without prejudice to the workers’ rights to take legal action in this regard.