EU censures ‘dire condition’ of human rights in Bahrain

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has criticized the ruling Al Khalifah regime for the “appalling condition” of human rights in Bahrain, pledging to use all available means to improve the circumstances.

Borrell, in response to a letter sent by members of the European Parliament regarding the dire situation of human rights in the Persian Gulf kingdom, pointed to the condition of imprisoned Bahraini activists Mohamed Ramadan and Hussein Ali Moosa, who have been sentenced to death on trumped-up charges of bombing a convoy and killing a police officer in al-Deir, a village northeast of the capital Manama, in early 2014.

The high-ranking EU official reiterated that all of the matters concerned should be discussed again during the next human rights dialogue slated for the end of autumn 2021.

He also noted that EU representatives attended the court session of Ramadan and Moosa, which took place on January 8, adding that the EU has called on Bahrain to release human rights activists who suffer from poor health.

Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial of civilians at military tribunals on March 5, 2017. The move drew widespread condemnation from human rights bodies and activists, and was described as imposition of an undeclared martial law across the country.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah rubber-stamped a constitutional amendment on April 3 that year.

The kingdom has seen anti-regime protests over the past nine years. The major demand has been the ouster of the Al Khalifah regime and the establishment of a just and conclusive system representing all Bahraini nationals.

The Manama regime, in return, has ignored the calls and is pressing ahead with its heavy-handed crackdown.

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