News / Persian Gulf

European lawmakers criticize Bahrain's human rights violations, urge Manama to uphold commitments

Monday, 25 January 2021 2:22 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 25 January 2021 2:34 PM ]

This file picture shows a view of inmates at the notorious Jau Prison, south of Manama, Bahrain. (Photo via Twitter)

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voiced “deep concern” over deterioration of human rights situation in Bahrain, urging Manama to abide by its rights commitments amid a heightened clampdown on pro-democracy activists and political dissidents in the kingdom.

“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing deterioration of human rights in Bahrain, following a year where, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch, there has been an 'escalated repression' of the Bahrain government against critics'," a total of 16 MEPs wrote in a letter addressed to the EU Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

The letter added, “We therefore kindly urge you to take this opportunity to hold your Bahrain counterparts accountable for their human rights commitments by raising the cases of European-Bahrain dual citizens Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Sheikh Mohammad Habib al-Muqdad and urging Bahrain to restore their moratorium on the death penalty.”

Bahrain’s justice minister summons top lawyer Shamlawi as clampdown persists

Bahrain’s justice minister summons a prominent lawmaker, amid a heightened crackdown on dissent by the ruling Al Khalifah regime.

The MEPs also pointed to what they called the kingdom's de facto suspension in 2017 of a moratorium on the death penalty, highlighting that five of six executions that have taken place were deemed arbitrary by the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, Agnes Callamard.

Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch said Bahrain’s human rights situation deteriorated dramatically in 2020 as regime's authorities escalated repression against online and social media activists and critics with courts upholding death sentences against opposition figures after unfair trials.

The New York-based organization said in its World Report 2021 that the Court of Cassation, Bahrain's highest court, upheld death penalty against at least four people who participated in opposition activity following trials marred by reports of torture and due process violations.

“Bahraini authorities use the many repressive tools available to them to silence and punish anyone who criticizes the government,” said Joe Stork, Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Middle East director.

He added, “Bahrain has escalated its use of the death penalty, targeted people for their social media activity, and denied medical treatment to prominent opposition figures in detention.”

Bahrainis repeat call for Sheikh Salman’s release

Bahrainis take to the streets to denounce the continued detention of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Ali Salman and call for his immediate release.

Bahrain has been the scene of anti-regime protests over the past nine years. The major demand has been the ouster of the Al Khalifah regime and the establishment of a just and conclusive system representing all Bahraini nationals.

The Manama regime has ignored the calls, and responded by cracking down on dissent and activists.

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