Bahrain Teachers' Association leader Madhi Abu Dheeb was imprisoned in April 2011 after calling on his teaching union to strike.
The strike was in support of the large scale pro-democracy protests that had started in Bahrain earlier that year. The BTA leader had been detained on false charges under laws that repress basic human and trade union rights and is being denied medical treatment required by his doctor.
TUI and other teacher unions around the world who are affiliated to Education International, are calling on the Bahraini authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mahdi Abu Dheeb and for the relegalisation of the BTA as a registered teacher union. Teaching unions are instrumental in fighting for better quality education. However global support must be shown for this to become a global reality, especially towards union members who are struggling to bring about positive change under oppressive regimes.
Amnesty International are asking teachers all over the world to sign a petition for the immediate release of Mahdi Abu Dheeb. To read more or to sign the petition click here.