Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

At the session of the Universal Periodic Review on Bahrain in Geneva this week, a large number of countries (such as France, the UK and USA) and NGOs (such as Human Rights Watch and Frontline) confronted the government of Bahrain with its flagrant shortcomings in respecting its human rights obligations and in implementing the recommendations of its own investigation.

The Bahraini Human Rights Minister, Salah Bin Ali Mohamed Abdulrahman, in response said “radical measures and progressive steps” had been taken to overcome the “sad and unfortunate events” of March 2011. Some of the recommendations required legislative amendments and this “may take some time,” he said. The minister told the meeting Bahrain held no prisoners on charges relating to freedom of expression. “Any such charges have been withdrawn. The only cases (remaining) are criminal cases” ..and …”These cases are being looked at by the judiciary therefore the government cannot interfere”.

No further questions your honor….

Related articles

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=52376

• Bahrain defends human rights record at U.N. (dailystar.com.lb)

This entry was posted on May 22, 2012 at 15:42 and is filed under human rights.

Tags: Bahrain, France, Frontline, Geneva, human rights, Human Rights Watch, Non-governmental organization, United Nations Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, USA