Lord Avebury, Liberal Democrat peer and human rights defender, dies at 87

Lord-Avebury-2006Index on Censorship is saddened to hear of the death of Eric Avebury, a staunch defender of human rights. Lord Avebury continued to campaign despite declining health and we will, in particular, remember his defence of our friends and colleagues in Bahrain being persecuted for expressing themselves freely.

In October 2014, Lord Avebury spoke at Index on Censorship on the need for “genuine reform” in Bahrain, including the allowance of freedom of expression, “which is totally banned” in the country.

10 Feb: Four years of revolution: Bahrainis insist on political change

Lord-Avebury-Flyer

Lord Avebury, the Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group cordially invites you to a press conference on:

Four years of revolution: Bahrainis insist on political change

Four years ago the people of Bahrain flocked to the streets in their thousands seeking fundamental political change after decades of discriminatory rule. They were repressed by the regime which adopted reprehensible tactics including systematic torture, extra-judicial killing, and the revocation of citizenships. The UK Government has chosen to stand by the regime, turning a blind eye to its rights abuses. It is time for the UK to change direction on Bahrain starting by designating it as a “country of concern” in line with the Foreign Affairs Committee recommendations.

WHERE: Fielden House, 13 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH
WHEN: Tuesday 10 February 2015, 11:00am