Mahdi Abu Deeb, President of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association, and Jalila Al Salman, BTA are due in the appeal court on 9 September. Last year, the two union leaders were sentenced to 10 and 3 years in prison for taking part in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011.  Recent appeal verdicts have upheld harsh sentences against other protesters.

Like many other Bahraini activists arrested during the brutal clampdown on protests, Mahdi Abu Deeb testified that he has been tortured and denied access to medical care while in prison.Global teaching unions are leading calls for their release.

Despite the attempts of the Bahraini authorities to crush the pro-democracy movement, thousands protested this week. Police blocked roads in the capital Manama and fired tear gas at demonstrators on Friday.

What you can do:

• Read more on the campaign by international teaching unions here
• Send a letter of protest to the Bahraini Embassy in your country