Bahrain: The foundation of the Arabic Court for Human Rights ruined by 55 types of human rights violations

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society commented on Bahrain being home to the Arabic Court for Human Rights describing Bahrain as the “black-hole” of human rights, adding that repressive regimes cannot endorse foundations for human right support.Al-Wefaq said that Bahrain is one of the most prominent supporters of human rights violations in the Arab world. Since the eruption of the popular movement for rights and democracy, over 30 months ago, Bahrain has witnessed outrageous atrocities and violations of human rights that were documented by international human rights organizations as well as the reports and statements made by the United Nations and its foundations. Not to mention, the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by international professor, Mr. Mahmood Cherif Bassiouni, that documented atrocities perpetrated by the regime forces against the majority of the Bahraini people in retaliation to their demands for democratic transition.Al-Wefaq revealed that there are more than 55 types of human rights violations that have been perpetrated by the regime in Bahrain against citizens, including natural and fundamental human rights. This entrenches the idea of Bahrain being the human rights black hole, Al-Wefaq said.Al-Wefaq also outlined that the international community has issued around 176 recommendations, mostly related to human rights, from 66 different states in the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review where Bahrain was demanded to put an end to human rights violations.Al-Wefaq sees that this decision has come in line with the regime’s PR campaign and attempts to whitewash its bloody image by killing more than 130 Bahraini citizens, in addition to arresting tens of thousands, and suspending others from jobs, universities and schools. The targeting of women and children, conducting daily illegal home  raids and collective punishment, have all also been features of this regime. The regime has demolished mosques and arrested and tortured medics for treating protesters and denied the injured medical treatment and the occupation of hospitals; all classified as crimes against humanity and a violation of international law. This means that the court has been founded on unsuitable ground.Al-Wefaq stressed that the Bahraini regime has proven that it does not respect international principles of citizenship and equality and does not believe in its citizens’ rights and uses power and wealth to violate their rights. More, the Bahraini regime has recruited mercenaries and foreign experts to intensify and make the most of its pace of violations.Al-Wefaq stated that according to international reports, Bahrain’s trials lack integrity and independency. The Bassiouni report also stated that trials in Bahrain are used to attack the opposition. While the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, had said that they are used for “political persecution”. Amnesty International described the trials in Bahrain as a “travesty of justice” and Human Rights Watch had stated that there is “no justice in Bahrain”.Al-Wefaq stressed that the Arabic Court for Human Rights must be founded in a state where the judiciary enjoys independency and credibility, and wondered if the Court is going to be excluded from the control of the Authorities in Bahrain.Al-Wefaq highlighted that Bahrain had refused the international community’s recommendation and the UN’s Human Rights Council recommendation to sign on and be part of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.Al-Wefaq wondered if the Court is going to accept complaints from citizens of other Arab states against their governments, especially that this may harm bilateral relations. It also questioned whether the Court’s judges enjoy real judicial power independent of local, regional and Arabic influence.Finally, Al-Wefaq stated that the regime’s whitewashing and PR have failed in face of the people of Bahrain who are most persistent to hold on to their right to real democracy despite the regime’s repression and terrorism./129