MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bahrein
25.10.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Hannes Swoboda, Véronique De Keyser, Richard Howitt, Ana Gomes on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0541/2011
B7‑0559/2011
European Parliament resolution on Bahrein
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its resolution on the situation in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain in the context of the situation in the Arab world and North Africa of 7 July2011,
- having regard to its resolution on the situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen of 7 April 2011,
- having regard to its resolution of 24 March 2011 on EU relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council,
- having regard to the statements by the EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission on Bahrain 30 September , 1 July, 3 May , 10 March, 15 March and 17 March 2011,
- having regard to the Council conclusions on Bahrain of 23 May, 12 April, 21 March 2011;
- having regard to the statement of 23 June 2011 by the UN Secretary-General on the sentences imposed on 21 Bahraini political activists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders;
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948;
- having regard to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders of 2004 as updated in 2008;
- having regard to the 1975 United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Bahrain is part;
- having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966;
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure;
A. whereas health professionals and other health workers' sentences have been reconfirmed by a military court in Bahrain on 29 September to between five and 15 years in prison; whereas the medical professionals acted under professional duty and treated injured people; whereas on the 23 October they appealed before the civilian Court of Cassation,
B. whereas a military appeal court in Bahrain upheld the sentences of 14 opposition figures, all civilians, reportedly for plotting to overthrow the government,
C. whereas many other political activists, human rights defenders and journalists were detained during the recent pro-reform protests, whereas according to human rights organizations they have been tortured, ill-treated and harassed,
D. whereas the former Vice-president of the Bahrain Teacher’s Association Jalila al-Salman, was arrested at her home; whereas on the 23 September sixteen women and four girls were detained and were accused of "illegal public gathering”, rioting, and “incitement to hatred of the regime",
E. whereas on 22 May, the death sentences imposed on Ali ‘Abdullah Hassan al-Sankis and ‘Abdulaziz' Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain, for killing two policemen during anti government protests in Bahrain were upheld by the National Safety Court of Appeal; whereas the case of the two men was referred to Bahrain’s Court of Cassation on appeal which verdict is scheduled for 24 October,
F. whereas 2000 people were fired following the protests and many of them have not been reinstated after being sacked for supporting the protests, despite the King’s pledge that most of them would be,
G. whereas on the 29 June the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry was set up by Kind Hamad, in order to investigate human rights violations during recent the protests,
H. whereas on the 2 July the Bahraini King Hamad launched National Dialogue to address the concerns of Bahraini citizens in the wake of recent events; whereas recommendations issued from the Dialogue have been handed over to the King,
I. whereas on the 24th September, elections for the lower house of the parliament took place in order to fill 18 seats , vacated by Al-Wefaq, the country's largest opposition party, which pulled out of the Middle Eastern nation's legislature to protest against the treatment of demonstrators during unrest earlier this year,
1. Calls on the Bahraini security forces and authorities to stop violence, repression and detention of peaceful demonstrators; urges the authorities to act in strict accordance with their legislation and international obligations,
2. Considers the trials of civilians before a military court violate international fair trial standards; Calls for an immediate cessation of trials of civilians in the military court, the Court of National Safety,
3. Urges the Bahraini authorities to release the doctors and medical staff unconditionally and immediately as well as all the political activists, journalists and Human Rights defenders; expresses its strong concern on the life sentences of 8 opposition activists and 13 who received up to 15 years in prison,
4. Reiterates its call the for the full respect of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms, with special regard to the freedom of assembly and expression, freedom of religion, women’s rights and gender equality, fight against discrimination,
5. Calls on the end of the marginalisation and discrimination of Shiites, who represent over 60% of the Bahraini population,
6. Calls on the Bahraini authorities and the King of Bahrain, to commute the death sentences of Ali ‘Abdullah Hassan al-Sankis and ‘Abdulaziz ‘Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain,
7. Reiterates its strong opposition against the use of the death penalty and urges the Bahraini authorities to declare an immediate moratorium;
8. Considers the launched investigation into the death of a 16 years old boy Ahmed al-Jaber al-Qatan the during an anti-government protest, must be independent and findings made public and that those responsible must be brought to justice;
9. 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 Secretary-General of the Arab League and the Government and Parliament of the the Kingdom of Bahrain.