Strasbourg, France – February 6, 2014 – Today, the European Parliament passed an urgent resolution expressing “grave concern” over ongoing human rights violations and the status of the rule of law in Bahrain. The resolution, voted through the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, called on the Government of Bahrain to immediately release all political prisoners, including Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ibrahim Sharif. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) commends the 48 members of the European Parliament for voicing their deep disapproval with the Bahrain government for its continued violations of human rights.
“We applaud the members of the European Parliament who voted today to strongly condemn ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain,” said ADHRB Executive Director, Husain Abdulla. “The people of Bahrain continue in their struggle for democratic reforms, equality under the law, and respect for fundamental human rights. Their statement demonstrates that the European Union stands with the people of Bahrain and serves as a warning to the Bahrain government that human rights violations will not go unnoticed.”
The resolution was signed by representatives from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the European People’s Party, and the Greens/European Free Alliance, which together represent more than 80% of members in the parliament.
The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, journalists, human rights defenders and peaceful protesters. It further urges the Bahrain government to establish international mechanisms to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the United Nations (U.N.) Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain.
The resolution noted that human rights defenders must be free to operate in Bahrain without hindrance, intimidation or harassment. To this end, parliamentarians encouraged the U.N. Special Rapporteurs on Torture, Freedom of Assembly and Association, and Independence of Judges, to visit Bahrain to follow up on the many reports of violations they continue to receive.
“ADHRB is greatly encouraged by the European Parliament’s call for an end to human rights abuses and a respect of the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression in Bahrain,” Abdulla said. “We urge the Bahrain government to acknowledge the concerns raised in this resolution and to work toward the swift implement of meaningful reforms.”
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Please click here for a PDF of this statement.
الرجاء الضغط هنا لقراءة هذه الرسالة باللغة العربي
