MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab

12.6.2018 - (2018/2755(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 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Karol Karski, Anna Elżbieta Fotyga, Monica Macovei, Ruža Tomašić, Jan Zahradil, Valdemar Tomaševski, Jadwiga Wiśniewska on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0280/2018

B8‑0280/2018

European Parliament resolution on human rights situation in Bahrain, notably the case of Nabeel Rajab

(2755/2018(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Kingdom of Bahrain;

 

- having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of 1988;

 

- having regard to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

 

- having regard to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

 

- having regard to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

 

- having regard to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, ratified by Bahrain in 2013;

 

- having regard to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) established by Royal Order to investigate and report on the events that took place in Bahrain in February 2011 and the consequences of those events;

 

- having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure;

 

A. Whereas on 5 June 2018 the Bahrain Court of Appeals denied the appeal for Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, and upheld his five-year prison sentence;

 

B. Whereas Nabeel Rajab was arrested in June 2016 for charges which included publishing and broadcasting false news that undermined the prestige of the Kingdom of Bahrain and was sentenced to five years in February 2018 after being found guilty on charges which included of undermining the security of Bahrain;

 

C. Whereas Nabeel Rajab was first arrested in 2012 on charges which included inciting protests against the government and was sentenced to three years in prison; whereas in November 2014 he was released on bail but re-arrested in April 2015 for criticising Bahrain on social media and given a six-month prison sentence; whereas he was given a Royal pardon after concerns about his deteriorating health condition;

 

D. Whereas Bahrain is a key ally to the European Union in the Arabian Gulf, including in areas of political and economic relations, energy, and security; whereas the stability of the Arabian Gulf region is of strategic interest to NATO and it is in our mutual interest to further deepen our partnership as to better respond to future security challenges;

 

E. Whereas political work in the Kingdom of Bahrain is central to the democratic transition and support for comprehensive reforms;

 

F. Whereas the Kingdom of Bahrain is an Arab state with a rich history of longstanding openness to other cultures around the world and where Bahraini identity is central to its national identity;

 

 

1. Expresses concern about the five year sentence handed down by the Higher Criminal Court of Bahrain in addition to a two year sentence given in July 2017; takes note of the decision taken by the Bahrain High Court of Appeal to uphold Nabeel Rajab’s five-year prison sentence and recognises that an appeal by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation or a Royal pardon by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa can still be granted;

 

2. Supports the Kingdom’s commitment to an inclusive pluralistic society and urges the Kingdom to ensure the protection of freedom of expression for all its citizens and their freedom of assembly, in line with the Kingdom’s international obligations;

 

3. Supports the Kingdom’s establishment of the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman, the Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Rights Commission and the Special Investigation Unit to safeguard the human rights and provide independent oversight of police behaviour and detention standards; recognises that these were the first of their kind in the region and remain unique in the Gulf;

 

4. Continues to support the Government of Bahrain’s reform agenda and welcomes the Government’s commitments to continue to improve the rights and opportunities for all Bahrainis; believes in this regard that legitimate and peaceful grievances must be allowed to be expressed freely and can contribute to the ongoing reform process in Bahrain;

 

5. Welcomes Bahrain's model of religious tolerance and moderation and its cultural diversity; welcomes in this regard the constitution of Bahrain and the National Action Charter;

 

6. Attaches great importance to Bahrain’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stresses the importance of non-interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs by Iran and proxies seeking to subvert the stability and security of the Kingdom;

 

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