The delegation of the National Democratic Opposition Parties visiting Europe, called on France and the international community to take advanced positions to push for a real dialogue process in Bahrain.
The opposition parties delegation met with the officials from the French foreign ministry, headed by, M. Girault, the General Director of the Middle East and North Africa Affairs in the French foreign ministry. The meeting discussed the political and human rights situation in Bahrain.
The opposition delegates commended the French stance that has been supportive to human rights and freedoms in Bahrain. The delegates also commended the French President’s calls to release Bahraini human rights defender and President of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab.
The opposition’s delegation said it shares concerns with the French representatives regarding the respect of international law and the engagement in genuine dialogue and negotiations that would lead to positive outcomes for all Bahrainis to achieve an inclusive and sustainable development.
The delegation urged France and the EU States to push for a permanent office for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bahrain in the Human Rights Council. It also urged the States to support the request of 20 national and international rights NGOs to issue a resolution that obliges the Bahraini Authority to respect international covenants concerning human rights and democracy.
The delegation also called on France to strongly press the Government of Bahrain to accept the pending requests by the UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures to visit Bahrain.
In regards to the political situation, the meeting discussed the current situation and the opposition thanked France for its repeated calls on the Bahraini Authority to engage in an inclusive and real dialogue. The delegation pointed out that the opposition had engaged in a series of dialogues since 2011, but the outcome was disappointing because the Authority is holding on to the repressive security solution. The delegates explained that this has led to economic, social and political setbacks and widened the gap between the people and the Authority.
They also stressed that the opposition’s participation in the parliamentary elections is conditioned with a political settlement that all sides agree on and to end the official terror and violence against the people.
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