AhlulBayt News Agency - The following is a translation of comments made by Al Wefaq’s Head of Liberties and Human Rights Department.
Everybody, except the Bahraini Government, agree that the recommendations concluded in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report -also known as the Bassiouni report- have not yet been implemented, fully and correctly. The international community, observers, human rights activists, the victims and society in Bahrain also agree with the fact that many recommendations have not been addressed with professionalism.
A statement was issued on Monday by Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the official state agency, quoting Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, who chaired the BICI, saying the objectives of his commission’s recommendations have been achieved. We see this quote as a subject of skepticism. We did watch the launching of the report live on state television in November 23rd 2011, when the Bahraini Authorities were condemned for human rights violations. So why have we not seen Bassiouni speak the words BNA has quoted him saying?
On ground, the arbitrary arrests in Bahrain are going into a worsened status. In 2011, arrests were carried out with the pretext that protesters had made calls which were against the law. Today, we are seeing a large numbers of citizens unjustifiably arrested – whether in 2016 or 2015- for peaceful gatherings and free speech, although these practices have been ensured by the law.
Many cases draw the terrifying image of the human rights situation in Bahrain. People could speak out in the previous years, but free speech is harshly suppressed now. Those who dare to practice the right to free speech are subjected to serious charges such as “inciting hatred of the regime”, “inciting disobedience of the law” or “insulting a statutory body”.
Bahrain did not start revoking citizenship in 2011. This started late 2012 and is ongoing. Until today 260 citizenships have been revoked in Bahrain. It is a new form of violations that 2011 didn’t see.
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