Two French parliamentarians submitted questions to the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs on the human rights situation in Bahrain

Paris, 28 March 2022. 

Two French parliamentarians have submitted questions to the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs on the human rights situation in Bahrain. Following a dozen formulated last year by French parliamentarians, these deputies’ interrogations underline the systematic and continuous violations of human rights perpetrated by the Government of Bahrain.

On the 8th of March 2022, MP Eric Diard submitted a question to the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs regarding the conditions of prisoners in Bahrain. He raises concerns on the violations of the rights of thousands of prisoners being held on political charges in Bahraini prisons. He noted that “The conditions of detention do not meet the UN minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners.” His question also mentions the increasing use of death penalty and torture, both of those practices being constantly increasing since 2011. Mr Diard would like to know what measures the French government intend to enforce “ against systematic human rights violations in Bahrain.”

Two weeks later, on the 22nd of March 2022, MP Gisèle Biémouret submitted another question to the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The MP noted how the kingdom of Bahrain is frequently cited for its violations of human rights, she reminded that not only political opponent and activists were targeted by the Government of Bahrain but also regular citizens, who are frequently submitted to “arbitrary arrests and unfair trials for criticizing the government or expressing a dissenting opinion”. She also mentioned the rising numbers of death penalties since 2011. MP Biémouret’s concerns have led her to interrogate the French Government on its planned actions to fight for human rights and combat to continuous violations.

Salam DHR would like to thank MP Diard and MP Biémouret for their support for human rights and democracy in Bahrain and asks the international community to continue their support for the people of Bahrain.