Bahrain: the government can not claim legitimacy while engaging in grave consistent human rights violations

On 25 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during on interactive debate under item 4.

Madam President

Since the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain which took place on February 14th 2011 and the Bahraini government engaged in a systematic campaign of human rights violations dismantling every aspect of civil society in the country.

The government arrested opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, professors, doctors, religious scholars, and civic leaders. Opposition groups were banned and their leaders were arrested. Women Human Rights defenders were arrested, tortured, and raped at the hand of officials of the Ministry of Interior of Bahrain. Culture of impunity became a norm in the country at highest level like the son of the king Nasser bin Hamad Alkhalifa who has allegedly personally committed the crime of torture against opposition figures and activists.

Such actions by the government shook the foundation of any social contract between the Alkhalifa ruling tribe and the people of Bahrain.

Historically, Bahrainis were steadfast and vocal in their support of the Palestinian people in their struggle against the Israeli occupation. The September 15th agreement between the Alkhalifa government and Israel has been rejected by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain. We join the people of Bahrain in condemning this deal which does not represent the historical stand of all Bahrainis regardless of their sects or background. We call on the international community to strongly condemn human rights violations in Bahrain and demand the release of all political prisoners in the country. Instead of praising a deal that has no legitimacy.