Bahrain

Members of European Parliament publish letter to the High Representative strongly condemning Bahrain’s use of the death penalty

On 2nd October 2020, a letter signed by 15 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) was addressed to the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, citing concern over ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain and strongly condemning the country’s use of the death penalty.

Read the full letter HERE

According to the letter, 23 out of the 34 individuals sentenced to death since 2014 have alledged torture and have been subjected to unfair trials. These individuals’ convictions were politically motivated. After Bahrain ended a seven-year moratorium on the death penalty in 2017, three men were executed despite evidence of arbitrary arrest, allegations of torture and denial of appropriate legal counsel.

The letter also cited concern for the cases of Mohammed Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, who were both convicted in an unfair trial that heavily, if not entirely, relied on evidence obtained through torture. In July 2020, both mens’ death sentences were upheld by the Court of Cassation, meaning they are now at risk of imminent execution after having exhausted all other legal remedies.

International organisations and local human rights groups, including various UN bodies, publicly denounced the denial of Mr. Ramadan and Mr Moosa’s right to a fair trial.

Based on these concerns, the MEPs asked the High Representative to publicly oppose the use of the death penalty, particularly the cases of Mohammed Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, and call for the release of all political prisoners. They also requested that the High Representative use his influence to apply pressure on Bahrain and hold those responsible of torture to account. Finally, the letter demanded that the European Union establish a human rights dialogue with Bahrain and remain vigilant concerning developments in the Gulf region, urging Bahrain to fulfill its international human rights obligations.

Profile in Persecution: Husain Najeeb Eid

Husain Najeeb Eid was a 22-year-old university student when he was arbitrarily detained by the Bahraini authorities. During his interrogation, he was subjected to several human rights violations. He is currently detained in Jau Prison. Husain suffers from sickle cell anemia but is denied proper health care by the prison administration. Recently, Husain was a cause for concern when he started to display some symptoms of the coronavirus disease, which can be fatal for a sickle cell anemia sufferer.

In the early hours of 29 May 2014, Husain was arrested in his own bedroom. His house was raided by riot police and masked officers wearing black clothing. No warrant was presented during his arrest. On the same day, Husain called his mother to let her know he was fine. He was then forcibly disappeared for approximately five days. During this period, his family were unable to know anything about his whereabouts and his fate. Until now, Husain’s family knows very little about what happened to him during the interrogation, which lasted almost a month. During the day, he would be interrogated and tortured at the Criminal Investigation Building in Adliya, and then he would be returned to Al-Rifaa Police Station at night.

Husain Najeeb Eid was convicted of the following charges in the Bahraini Hezbollah case: 1) possession of arms, 2) joining a terrorist organization, 3) attempted murder, 4) illegal Assembly and rioting, and 5) acquiring arms and explosives in a public place. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and his citizenship was revoked in June 2016. No decisions were issued by the Court of Appeal nor the Court of Cassation because his parents could not afford the legal expenses.

Prior to his arrest in 2014, Husain suffered from major health complications, he also underwent operations and had consultations with specialist doctors. He suffers from sickle cell anemia disease and within prison, his condition has deteriorated. In prison, Husain has been denied adequate medical care by the prison administration. Since his arrest in 2014, he has been admitted into the hospital several times. Yet, prison officials only provide him with false promises to ensure he is provided with the necessary medical treatment, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

US – Gulf Relations: Congressional responsibility in the protection of human rights

The United States Constitution places Congress as a coequal branch of the Federal Government and specifically makes clear its authority to regulate and hold accountable the actions of the President, even in the field of foreign affairs. Federal statutes also lay out the mechanisms by which private arms sales can be made to foreign governments: all sales must be made by a licensed firm, approved by the Department of State (DOS) and are subject to legislation by Congress to supersede the administration’s authorization. Unfortunately, mustering the votes for a veto override is extremely difficult in an age when President Trump has such a firm stranglehold on his party, so much so that it has never been accomplished. That is not to say that Congress has not tried. Since 2017 Congress has thrice passed joint resolutions of disapprovals for arms sales in the Gulf and all three times they have been vetoed.

While leveraging arms sales is one of the most effective ways for Congress to exert its constitutional authority and have a say in matters of foreign affairs, it is far from being the only method. In the past five years 69 bills have formally been introduced in at least one house of Congress attempting to inhibit various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, or the U.S. relationship with them. These range from yearly resolutions introduced by Senator Wyden commemorating the anniversary of the Pearl Roundabout in Bahrain, to a bill requiring the DOS to produce yearly reports on educational material released by the Saudi Ministry of Education. While Saudi Arabia received the most scrutiny with 53 bills calling them out by name, the UAE and Bahrain, who while being smaller countries commit equally horrific human rights atrocities, also acquired fierce condemnation. A 2015 bill introduced by Representative McGovern and Senator Wyden would have halted all arms sales to Bahrain until the DOS determined that all 23 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations had been implemented. This piece of common-sense legislation did not even receive a vote in committee.

ADHRB raises attack on Freedom of Religion in Bahrain

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