MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Bahrain

10.9.2013 - (2013/2830(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Tunne Kelam, Roberta Angelilli, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Monica Luisa Macovei, Philippe Boulland, Jean Roatta, Mariya Gabriel, Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris, Giovanni La Via, Eduard Kukan, Sari Essayah, Petri Sarvamaa, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa, Krzysztof Lisek on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0410/2013

B7‑0421/2013

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Bahrain

(2013/2830(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–         having regard to its previous resolutions on Bahrain,

– having regard to the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative (VP/HR) on Bahrain of 1 July 2013,

–         having regard to the Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), released in November 2011 and the Follow-Up Report of 21 November 2012,

–         having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

–        having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.       whereas on 7 December 2012 Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifah called for dialogue with the country's opposition;

 

B.        whereas in August 2013 King Hamad issued a royal decree that indefinitely suspends the right to free assembly in the capital Manama;

 

C.       whereas on 2 September 2013 Bahrain announced that it would host the permanent headquarters of the Arab Human Rights Court following its approval at an Arab League meeting in Cairo;

 

D.       whereas on 3 September 2013 the Bahraini Minister of Justice ordered political groups to obtain permission to meet with foreign diplomats, an order which also requires political groups to obtain authorization to meet international organizations outside Bahrain, and to have a government official at all approved meetings;

 

E.        whereas the EU Special Representative on Human Rights S. Lambrinidis visited Bahrain in the scope of the EU-GCC Ministerial meeting in June 2013;

 

1.       Calls on the Bahraini authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly; calls for a lift on the ban on the right to free assembly in the capital Manama and a repeal of the order of the Minister of Justice of 3 September 2013;

2.       Urges the Bahraini authorities to free all prisoners of conscience that remain imprisoned, notably Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Naji Fateel;

3.        Welcomes the steps taken by the Bahraini authorities to implement the recommendations of the BICI; calls on the Government of Bahrain to implement fully and swiftly the BICI and Universal Periodic Review recommendations;

 

4.        Calls on the UN HRC's 24^th session to adopt a resolution addressing the human rights situation in Bahrain;

 

5.        Expresses regret that the visit of the Special Rapporteur on torture was again postponed and calls upon Bahraini authorities to facilitate visits of the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of association and assembly and on the situation of human rights defenders;

 

6.        Calls on all parties to refrain from violence and to work together towards national reconciliation;

 

7.       Welcomes the decision by the Arab League to set up a Arab Human Rights Court in Manama; urges the Government of Bahrain as well as its partners in the Arab league to ensure the integrity, impartiality, efficiency and credibility of this Court;

 

8.        Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain.