Brussels, 26/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 25 June, seven MEPs - of various political persuasions - called on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, in coordination with the member states, to “actively and publicly support the immediate and unconditional release of all the people in Bahrain who have been imprisoned solely for having exercised their rights to the freedom of expression, association and assembly”, before the next EU-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at ministerial level which will take place in the capital of Bahrain on 30 June.
Tunne Kelam (EPP), Ana Gomes and Richard Howitt (S&D), Edward McMillan-Scott and Marietje Schaake (ALDE), Barbara Lochbihler and Rui Tavares (Greens/EFA) recalled the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 17 January (see EUROPE 10767), which asked Ashton “to push actively for the release of the campaigners imprisoned before the meeting”. “Since the resolution was adopted, what has been done by the high representative for their release is not clear. We note the fact that she has not, up to now, explicitly called for the release of the people wrongly imprisoned”, the MEPs regretted.
Two associations speak out. In a joint letter on 23 June, the president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, Mohammed al-Maskati, and the acting president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Maryam al-Khawaja, urged Ashton to “make a determined effort” to push for the improvement of the human rights situation and to “show leadership and work with the 27 [EU member states]” to adopt the Foreign Affairs Council's conclusions on the issue.
The two associations want these conclusions to include the demand for the “immediate and unconditional” release “of the people detained for peacefully exercising their rights to the freedom of expression, association and assembly” and for the government to conduct “independent, effective and transparent inquiries” into all the allegations of torture and other bad treatment, and for anyone having committed, ordered, tolerated or omitted to investigate the alleged violations of human rights to be held responsible. The Council should call on the Bahraini government to refrain from greater use of pointless and excessive force against the protesters, add al-Khawaja and al-Maskati.
EU has used all the means available. Without responding directly to the criticism, a spokesperson for Ashton stressed that “the EU has used all the means it has to send clear messages to Bahrain since the resumption of trouble”. The spokesperson mentioned numerous statements from Ashton, visits from high-level officials, direct contact with the authorities and also the visit of the special representative for human rights, Stavros Lambrinidis. The EU has followed the situation closely, and is still doing so, stated the spokesperson. He said that the EU continues to call for implementation of the Independent Commission of Inquiry's measures, it supports the national dialogue and stresses the importance of all the parties refraining for any form of violence, intimidation or provocation. “A combination of moderation and concrete confidence building steps is needed to bridge the gulf between communities (…) This includes demonstrating clemency towards activists not involved in violent activities, ensuring the right to peaceful assembly and ensuring accountability for past violations”, Ashton's spokesperson added. (CG/transl.fl)