SALAM and NPWJ will organize two days conference on ”THE PERSECUTION OF SHIA IN BAHRAIN” in Brussels on 22-23rd April

As part of their efforts to promote and protect Human Rights and democracy in the Middle East and in Bahrain in particular, SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights in cooperation with No Peace Without Justice are organizing two days conference in 22-23rd April under title ”THE PERSECUTION OF SHIA IN BAHRAIN”

About the conference Mr Philip Belau, the conference director said “This conference will address the barriers facing the promotion and protection of the Shia rights In Bahrain, and explore creative and practical solutions to end the discrimination against them. This conference is organized with the view that inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue is mandatory for the comprehensive implementation of their rights and the existence of adequate institutional and policy frameworks that can effectively contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against members of Bahrain-Shia, as well as promote their full equality and access before the law without any discrimination”.

Mr Belau added: “The conference will take the format of Interactive Dialogue and that will focus on prioritizing highly critical issues, identifying challenges, specific gaps and key recommendations to eliminate of all forms of discrimination against Bahrain-Shia”.

This conference will discuss and explore the history of Bahrain-Shia struggle, the political challenges, current discriminatory mechanisms and patterns including unfair trials and arbitrary detention, and finally freedom of religion in Bahrain.

The conference also will consider the role of international and regional organizations, as well as non-State actors, including civil society, minority communities and religious leaders, national human rights institutions, political leaders and the media, in regards to this issue.

It is expected that the outcomes of the conference will Identifying actual and potential barriers to combat discrimination against Shia in Bahrain, shed light on effective measures to prevent the excessive use of force, unfair trial and arbitrary detention, lack of representation, and considering essential elements to guarantee inclusive, independent, impartial, transparent and accessible accountability, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms as a means to end discrimination. In addition to identifying measures to promote and respect cultural backgrounds and/or religious beliefs of witnesses during criminal justice proceedings as per established international instruments, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and providing substantive and tangible recommendations to be included in the thematic recommendation of the session.

To attend and register in the conference, please write to the following email:
belau@www.salam-dhr.org