MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Bahrain, in particular the cases of Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ibrahim Sharif

4.2.2014 - (2014/2553(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

Charles Tannock, Geoffrey Van Orden on behalf of the ECR Group

B7‑0121/2014

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Bahrain, in particular the cases of Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ibrahim Sharif

 
(2014/2553(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Bahrain,

–having regard to the statement by the Spokesman of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on Bahrain of 16 January 2014,

–having regard to the 23rd EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting, held in Manama, Bahrain, on 30 June 2013,

–having regard to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) established on 29 June by Royal Order to investigate and report on the events that took place in Bahrain from February 2011, and the consequences of those events, and which reported on 23 November 2011;

–having regard to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders of 2004, as updated in 2008,

–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–having to the 1949 Geneva Convention,

–having regard to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  Whereas the President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to three years in prison in August 2012 for calling for and participating in "illegal gatherings" and "disturbing public order" between February and March 2011; whereas his sentence was reduced to two years in prison on appeal;

B.  Whereas on Friday 29 November Nabeel Rajab served three quarters of his two years sentence and has become eligible for release; whereas a third request for early release was submitted by Nabeel Rajab’s lawyers on 21 January 2014 to the Court but it was rejected;

C.  Whereas the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, characterised the detention of Mr. Nabeel Rajab, as arbitrary;

D.  Whereas on 22 June 2011 Abdulhadi-al-Khawaja founder of BCHR and regional coordinator of Front Line Defenders with Danish nationality, and Ebrahim Sharif secretary general of the National Democratic Action society, were sentenced to life imprisonment by a special military court; whereas after 3 years of appeals the legal process came to a conclusion and the sentences were upheld; whereas both leaders of peaceful protests were charged with attempting to "topple the regime forcibly in collaboration with a terrorist organization working for a foreign country" and "collecting money for a terrorist group";

E.   whereas, following the BICI report in November 2011, the Bahraini authorities committed themselves to undergoing certain reforms and progress has been made in overhauling the legal and law enforcement systems,

1. Welcomes King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa’s initiative to launch a National Dialogue to address the concerns of Bahraini citizens in the wake of events of 2011;

 

2. Welcomes the recent initiation of wide-ranging talks by Crown Prince Salman bin-Hamad al-Khalifa upon the request of the King, to explore means of national reconciliation;

 

3. Expresses hope that these consultations, as well as the decision to raise the level of governmental and other parties' representation in the dialogue, will pave the way for long term national reconciliation and sustainable reform in Bahrain;

 

4. Calls on all parties to engage with the National Dialogue without preconditions;

 

5. Notes that all citizens of Bahrain should have the right peacefully to protest, and that all Bahraini’s should have the right to express their views and opinions freely and peacefully, and that there should be full freedom of expression and respect for freedom of the media;

 

6. Condemns any efforts by external elements to incite disturbance and disaffection in Bahrain;

 

7. Recommends the release of all peaceful demonstrators, human rights activists, doctors and paramedics, bloggers and journalists, as a demonstration of clemency and confidence by the Bahraini authorities;

 

8. Urges the Bahraini authorities to ensure the full implementation of all the recommendations of the BICI Report;

 

9. Stresses that constructive and inclusive dialogue that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is the only way to promote peace and stability and to build the trust and confidence necessary for reconciliation; welcomes the recent progress made in this regard;

 

10. 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 and the Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain.