On 10 July 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.
Madam President
ADHRB thanks the Independent expert on human rights and international solidarity for his report highlighting the issue of human rights-based international solidarity in the context of climate change. However, we would like to share our concerns about the current situation in Bahrain concerning climate change.
Bahrain has not made enough efforts to tackle climate change, while studies have shown that rising sea levels could submerge between 27 and 56 percent of Bahrain already within 80 years. We request Bahrain to dedicate special attention to this dire challenge to ensure that the island country will survive the countless ecological crises of the twenty-first century.
Likewise, we are concerned about the fact that the people in Bahrain cannot enjoy their right to international solidarity by which individuals are entitled to participate meaningfully in, contribute to and enjoy a social and international order in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. Bahrain is compromised by a climate of repression progressively instilled by the government, resulting in the reduced presence of opposition movements on the political scene. Civil society is effectively silenced throughout the country and all members of the political opposition are systematically arrested, tortured to obtain a confession and imprisoned.
The Bahraini government often makes use of travel bans to prevent the free movement of human rights advocates. The people in Bahrain have no voice neither within the country nor at the international level.
Therefore, we ask Mr. Okafor: What measures can be taken against countries, such as Bahrain, which try to silence the people and their right to participate meaningfully in the international order?
Thank you.
