Statements

SALAM DHR: The necessity of democratizing the state and strengthening the rule of law in Bahrain

Posted on by Salam Media
01
Nov

On the occasion of the International United Nations Day

SALAM DHR: The necessity of democratizing the state and strengthening the rule of law in Bahrain

The world celebrates United Nations Day annually, on October 24, to commemorate the establishment of the United Nations through its Charter in 1945. The significance of this day lies in its celebration of diversity. It is an official day to appreciate the diversity of cultures, religions and languages ​​around the world.

In addition, UN Day is celebrated as a reminder of the organization’s goals in maintaining international peace, protecting human rights and democracy, providing humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law.

Bahrain joined as a member state of the United Nations immediately after its independence in 1971, and despite the solidarity and the spread of intimacy among all components of the society in the country, the authority’s commitments in the field of protecting human rights and preserving diversity were very weak and low. Bahrain continues to repress citizens in general and Shiites, in particular, by arresting participants in gatherings, marches, processions and religious celebrations, including religious scholars, and other violations, despite the guarantee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly by resolution 217 A (D-3) on 10 December 1948 in Article 18 on the right to manifest one’s religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and education without harassment.

In light of the celebration of the United Nations Day and its principles, Bahrain will witness on November 12 (next month) the process of fake municipal and parliamentary elections, in which all opposition political parties have been dissolved, in addition to depriving a large segment of the people of their right guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Article 25 to nominate or vote in elections equally.

Moreover, a high toll of violations related to freedom of opinion and expression, civil and political rights, and a large number of violations and violations of prisoners’ rights, such as torture and neglect of health care, is monitored, in addition to the failure to respond to the numerous complaints of prisoners of continued abuses against them.

Therefore, SALAM DHR stresses the following demands and recommendations:

  • The importance of the authority’s involvement in a comprehensive national dialogue, which leads the process of democratizing the state on the basis of equal citizenship, and strengthening the rule of law;
  • Respect for the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international conventions; Preserving the principle of freedom of opinion and expression.
  • The release of all prisoners of conscience and the adoption of a transitional justice and reparation project.