AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Sheikh Hussein Al-Daihi, deputy Secretary-General of Bahrain's Al-Wefaq, warned that "the agreement between the United States and Bahrain should not be at the expense of democratic values and human rights."
Sheikh Al-Daihi said in a post on the "X" platform that "the commitment of the United States to strengthen relations with its allies in the region in the context of foreign policy should not be at the expense of neglecting the observance of democratic values and human rights."
He called on the United States "not to apply double standards in its practices, in which it is hostile to countries under the pretext of them not implementing democracy or adhering to the principles of human rights, while supporting dictatorships in other countries and signing strategic agreements with them."
"The U.S. administration must consider human rights and political reform an essential part of its foreign agenda with Bahrain, and seek to push for democratic reforms and meet the demands of the Bahraini people who have made great sacrifices for them," he said.
He underlined that "the weak statements that show (American) 'concern' are the simplest to be said and are worthless and encourage the state of tyranny and dictatorship practiced in Bahrain." Sheikh Al-Daihi called on the United States to "translate this concern into concrete actions that seek to protect human rights and promote democracy, political reform and social justice in Bahrain."
The United States and Bahrain signed a strategic security and economic agreement on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said would expand defense and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
The White House said the agreement will help formalize steps being taken by U.S. Central Command to integrate the region's air and missile defense systems and enhance "maritime domain awareness," according to a White House fact sheet.
....................
End/ 257