Members of European Parliament publish letter to the High Representative strongly condemning Bahrain’s use of the death penalty
On 2nd October 2020, a letter signed by 15 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) was addressed to the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, citing concern over ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain and strongly condemning the country’s use of the death penalty.
Read the full letter HERE
According to the letter, 23 out of the 34 individuals sentenced to death since 2014 have alledged torture and have been subjected to unfair trials. These individuals’ convictions were politically motivated. After Bahrain ended a seven-year moratorium on the death penalty in 2017, three men were executed despite evidence of arbitrary arrest, allegations of torture and denial of appropriate legal counsel.
The letter also cited concern for the cases of Mohammed Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, who were both convicted in an unfair trial that heavily, if not entirely, relied on evidence obtained through torture. In July 2020, both mens’ death sentences were upheld by the Court of Cassation, meaning they are now at risk of imminent execution after having exhausted all other legal remedies.
International organisations and local human rights groups, including various UN bodies, publicly denounced the denial of Mr. Ramadan and Mr Moosa’s right to a fair trial.
Based on these concerns, the MEPs asked the High Representative to publicly oppose the use of the death penalty, particularly the cases of Mohammed Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, and call for the release of all political prisoners. They also requested that the High Representative use his influence to apply pressure on Bahrain and hold those responsible of torture to account. Finally, the letter demanded that the European Union establish a human rights dialogue with Bahrain and remain vigilant concerning developments in the Gulf region, urging Bahrain to fulfill its international human rights obligations.
Read the full article here.
German Parliamentary Questions Addressing Human Rights Issues in Bahrain
Since 2011 Members of the German Bundestag (MPs), in particular those belonging to left-wing political parties (The Left – Die Linke and The Greens – Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), have posed questions to the German government on at least forty occasions concerning the issue of arms exports and the human rights situation in Bahrain. Following the country’s 2011 pro-democracy protests, the first German parliamentary question was tabled by MP Sevim Dag˘delen on 7th of March 2011 from The Left. The question was in relation to the export of police equipment and information technology to Bahrain and other Gulf states, as well as to countries such as Libya and Yemen. The question also raised issues of training and technical assistance, which has been given to security forces with known associations to often-violent protest suppression.
The same year Saudi Arabia sent security forces in support of the Bahraini government, a government accused of ordering violent attacks on peaceful protesters. On 21st March 2011, MP Inge Höger, also from The Left, raised concerns regarding the Federal government’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. On 4th April 2011, MP Jan van Aken questioned why the German government did not stop the export of arms to Saudi Arabia despite Saudi involvement in Bahrain.
The German Bundestag database on parliamentary questions shows that between 2011 and 2012 MPs tabled questions in relation to the following topics:
- Whether the government considered its current arms export policy to be appropriate, particularly in the light of the bloody suppression of pro-democracy protests and the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain.
- The types of arms exported to Bahrain and the previously aforementioned countries.
- How the Federal government assessed the human rights situation in Bahrain.
On 4th June 2014 The Left tabled a series of questions regarding the contradictory behaviour of the government. They questioned why the government decided to show support for the opposition in Syria and not in Bahrain. In Bahrain the majority Shia population are largely subjugated by the Sunni al-Khalifa family and their supporters, yet the government has stayed silent with the Bharani regime remaining unreproached. However, within the framework of the Syria Recovery Trust Fund, the German government gave support to the Syrian opposition helping create administrative structures in areas of their control. Furthermore, through their contributions to the international Group of Friends of the Syrian People, further funds have been allocated to Syrian opposition forces.
Read the full article here.
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