26 June 2014
Labour MP relieved at news of former PGA Board Member’s acquittal
President of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Ross Robertson has expressed his relief at the news from Bahrain
today that former PGA Board Member Mr Khalil Al Marzooq has been acquitted of charges of inciting violence and
terrorism.
“These charges were frivolously launched against Khalil Al Marzooq last September in a framework of political abuse of
opposition rights,” said Ross Robertson.
“Khalil Al Marzooq had served as a democratically elected member of Bahrain’s House of Representatives from 2006 to
2010, before being re-elected for a further four-year team. In 2010 he was elected Deputy Speaker of Bahrain’s
Parliament. However, in March 2011, along with the other 18 opposition Parliamentarians in the 40-seat lower house of
Parliament, he resigned as a protest against the use of violence by authorities against peaceful activists holding
demonstrations in the Pearl Roundabout and throughout the country.
“Following his arrest, Amnesty International and other leading organisations defined Khalil as a victim of persecution
and, when he was incarcerated, a ‘prisoner of conscience’,” he said.
“It has been heartening to see so many leaders and MPs from around the world, many of them members of Parliamentarians
for Global Action, express solidarity with Khalil and support his stand on non-violence, human rights and democracy.
“We in PGA remain convinced Khalil Al Marzooq’s stance as a staunch defender of real civic participation in
decision-making, non-discrimination, equal opportunity and security for all, holds a promise for the better future and
stronger rule of law in Bahrain,” said Ross Robertson.