The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Bahrain.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and GUE/NGL groups.

It condemns the continuing human rights violations by the Bahraini authorities and security forces, particularly the use of violence, the excessive use of tear gas, the use of birdshot at short range, the ban on all forms of protest and the arrest and detention of peaceful protesters, despite the stated commitment by the Bahraini authorities to implementing the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry’s (BICI) reforms advocated in the latter’s report of November 2011.

The resolution sets out numerous instances of human rights violations against named individuals and organisations and notes that despite promises to implement the recommendations of the BICI and to respect basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Bahraini authorities have failed to investigate the violence and to hold the perpetrators to account.  It considers that accountability for past violations is a key element on the path towards justice and genuine reconciliation, which are necessary for social stability, and strongly supports, therefore, the BICI recommendations, which have also been endorsed by King Hamad and his government. Members demand that the Bahraini security forces stop the use of violence against peaceful protesters, and end the ongoing repression of political dissent through prosecution, detention and torture. They call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Bahraini political prisoners, and a prompt and independent investigation into all cases of violations against children.

Parliament stresses its strong disapproval regarding the lack of an EU response to the ongoing situation in Bahrain and calls on the VP/HR to condemn the ongoing violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, to impose targeted restrictive measures on the individuals directly responsible for, or involved in, the human rights abuses (as documented in the BICI report). It calls for:

• the suspension of, and a ban on, exports of tear gas and crowd control equipment to Bahrain until investigations have been conducted as regards their improper use and until the perpetrators of such improper use have been held accountable;
• EU export restrictions on technologies used for the tracking, tracing, censorship and surveillance of information and communication flows, resulting in human rights violations.

The VP/HR and Member States are called upon to work together to develop a clear strategy for how the EU will, both publicly and privately, actively push for the release of the imprisoned activists prior to the EU-GCC ministerial meetings due to take place in Bahrain in mid-2013. In this connection, Parliament calls on the VP/HR to work with Member States to ensure the adoption of Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on the human rights situation in Bahrain, which should include a specific call for the immediate and unconditional release of the imprisoned activists.

Parliament recalls that Bahrain was the subject of the Universal Periodical Review of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2012. It endorses the recommendations of the UPR and calls on the Bahraini Government to give political priority and to allocate the necessary resources to adequate and timely follow-up. It calls for the establishment of an international monitoring mechanism, to be set up through a resolution of the UN Human Rights Council to be adopted during its next session in March 2013, with a mandate to monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the BICI and of the UN Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain, including those relating to human rights defenders.

Parliament calls upon the Bahraini authorities:

• immediately to lift the de facto restrictions on all demonstrations, which are irreconcilable with their professed commitment to reform and will not help to advance national reconciliation or build trust among all parties;
• to lift all entry restrictions for foreign journalists and international human rights organisations and to allow an independent mechanism for monitoring the evolution of the situation on the ground;
• to ensure that the 31 Bahrainis whose citizenship was withdrawn in November 2012 for participating in peaceful protests, can appeal the decision before a court, as it is clear that the revocation of the nationality of political opponents by the Bahraini authorities is contrary to international law;
• to take all necessary steps to guarantee the competence, independence and impartiality of the judiciary in Bahrain and to ensure that it acts in full accordance with international human rights standards, and in particular to ensure that the courts cannot be used for political purposes or to sanction the legitimate exercise of universally guaranteed rights and freedoms;
• to strengthen the rights of defendants, inter alia by ensuring that they enjoy fair trial guarantees, allowing them effectively to challenge the evidence against them, providing for independent judicial oversight of the grounds for detention and ensuring that detainees are protected from abusive treatment during criminal investigations;
• to improve human rights protection and ratify international human rights conventions, such as the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Lastly, Parliament believes that it is crucial to continue the efforts to increase cooperation between the EU and the Gulf region and to promote mutual understanding and trust. It considers that regular interparliamentary meetings between Parliament and its partners in the region are important forum for developing a constructive and frank dialogue on issues of common concern.