On Wednesday 13 March 2019, ADHRB delivered an oral intervention at the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva during the General Debate on Item 5. In the intervention, ADHRB raised concerns over Bahrain’s refusal to cooperate with the mechanisms of the HRC and highlighting the case of Mohamed Merza Moosa, a Jiu-jitsu athlete who was arrested in 2011 and tortured. Continue reading for full remarks or click here for a PDF of the comments.
Mr. President,
Alsalam and ADHRB would like to draw the attention of the Council to Bahrain’s continued refusal to cooperate with the mechanisms of this Council, in particular the mandates of the Special Procedures.
Arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trials are rampant in Bahrain. One example of such a case is that of Mohamed Merza Moosa, a gold medalist in Jiu-jitsu, one of many athletes who was subjected to torture for participating in protests in 2011. Mohamed was arrested without a warrant, tortured in multiple locations, and held incommunicado for three months. He was convicted by the National Safety Court and sent to Jau Prison.
Mohamed suffers from multiple medical conditions due to torture. These ailments are being ignored by the prison authorities, despite repeated requests for medical care. In a letter from prison, Mohamed described these measures as a “continuation of the torture practiced against me and against everyone who expresses an opinion for a dignified life.”
Mohamed’s case is emblematic of the human rights situation in Bahrain, which has been addressed by Special Procedures offices, who have sent 89 communications to the government of Bahrain since 2011. Despite these communications, Bahrain has not permitted a Special Procedures office to visit since 2006, though there are currently unanswered 9 requests from these offices
These communications and denial of visits serve as proof of Bahrain’s continued failure to positively engage with this Council, despite becoming a member of this body in October 2018.
Thank you.
