ADHRB Welcomes Senate Bill to Reinstate US Arms Exports Ban on Bahrain

Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) welcomes yesterday’s introduction of S.2009, the bipartisan resolution in the United States Senate that would reinstate the ban on certain US arms sales to Bahrain until the country implements all 26 recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). We strongly support the efforts of the bill’s co-sponsors, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), as well as that of Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), who also announced his intent to introduce a House version of the bill after recess. The proposed resolution would overturn the Obama Administration’s June decision to reinstate arms sales to the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) and the National Guard. Despite the State Department’s announcement to the contrary, the resolution highlights the need to reinstate the arms export ban to ensure that US-sold weapons do not enable further human rights abuses in the Gulf kingdom.

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More from ADHRB
ADHRB Condemns Government Closure of Bahraini Newspaper
NGOs Voice Concern Over Sitra Abitrary Arrest Campaign Following Last Week’s Bombing

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Updates from the Ground in Bahrain

• 34 arrested including 2 women and 1 child
• 33 trials postponed
• 5 individuals remanded to a total of 95 days in detention
• Majeed Milad trial postponed until 13 September. Detained for 34 days since arrest
• Human rights activist Dr. Maytham al-Salman  arrested for inciting hatred and then released later that day
• Sadeqa al-Basri arrested for the 3rd time while leaving the airport
• Security forces continue to use Excessive Force including Tear Gasand Shotgun Pellets against protesters.

Click here for the full report.

Bahrain News and Opinion

Britain Must Demand that my Husband Shaikh Ali Salman is Released from Jail
Reem al-Sha’alan calls on the British government and international community to demand the release of her husband and all other prisoners of conscience in Bahrain.

August Champions for Justice: Bahrain’s Student Prisoners
This month we highlight students and children who have faced arbitrary charges and detention related to their freedoms of expression and assembly and are now denied their right to an education.

McGovern Joins Senators Wyden, Rubio in Bipartisan Push to Block U.S. Military Aid to Bahrain
Congressman McGovern will introduce companion legislation in the House when Congress returns from recess in September. 

Arabic Sources