Brussels, 23/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the efforts of the government of Bahrain to implement the recommendations of the independent commission of enquiry (which presented its report a year ago), High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on the Bahraini government “to remain committed” in its implementation of the recommendations and “to go even further, addressing in particular the socio-economic grievances of the Bahraini people”. Indeed Ashton underlined that “much remains to be done”. She also urged “again” all sides “to engage in a peaceful dialogue as rapidly as possible and without preconditions, rejecting violence in all its forms”. She said that the success of the reform process “very much depends on the constructive cooperation between the government, the opposition and all Bahraini citizens”.
On 21 November, the NGO Amnesty International criticised the EU's lack of action on the human rights situation in Bahrain (see EUROPE 10735). Ashton's spokesperson told EUROPE in the evening of 21 November that the EU hesitated to express its criticism publicly with regard to the Bahraini authorities' specific actions that are considered human rights violations. “However, the EU is convinced that criticism is not only expressed through statements and press releases. On the contrary, this 'megaphone diplomacy' can be counterproductive and miss the common objective of improving the human rights situation and the promotion of reconciliation in Bahrain. Discreet contact with the different parties can be more effective and the EU gives this its preference”, he said. (CG/transl.fl)