Brussels, 11/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 11 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the resumption of national dialogue in Bahrain the previous day, again urging all the parties “to engage in a meaningful dialogue that is as inclusive as possible and without preconditions”. She also called on the parties to “refrain from inciting violence and to reject it unequivocally in all its forms”. In her press release, Ashton said she hoped the discussions will answer the legitimate expectations of all Bahrainis, and she recalled that “the success of this process very much depends on constructive cooperation between the government, the opposition and all Bahraini citizens”.
“I firmly believe that the dialogue between the parties is the best way to rebuild trust and to achieve genuine national reconciliation by tackling outstanding issues and socio-economic grievances, thereby preparing the ground for sustainable reforms”, Ashton added, recalling that the EU is ready to provide its support to this process.
On 22 January, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain called for a new round of national dialogue (see EUROPE 10771).
EU is preparing a programme on human rights cooperation. According to a document from the European External Action Service on the EU's response to the Arab Spring, in mid-December 2012 the EU signed a programme on human rights in Bahrain as part of the Instrument for Stability. This programme has funding of €216,571. The activities began on 1 October 2012 for 12 months. The contract was signed with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), which is the programme's implementing partner. IBAHRI's main objective is the design and delivery of a comprehensive training programme for judges and prosecutors of the Special Investigations Unit on the prohibition of torture and ill treatment based on the Istanbul Protocol, a European source told EUROPE. The source added that this is “fully in line with the recommendations of the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry”. The unit was created on 27 February 2012 in order to investigate allegations of torture and ill treatment. (CG/transl.fl)