“Deeply concerned” about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Bahrain, MEPs called on the new Prime Minister, on Thursday 11 March, to use his authority to advance political reform and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in his country.
In the joint resolution adopted by the groups (The Left, Greens/EFA, S&D, Renew Europe, EPP and ECR) (633 votes in favour, 11 against and 45 abstentions), the European Parliament calls for an end to the harassment and for the immediate and unconditional release of all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience detained and sentenced for simply exercising their right to freedom of expression, and that all charges against them be dropped. The authorities must ensure a safe space for civil society organisations and independent media, add MEPs.
They also call for an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty as a step towards its abolition and condemn the continued use of torture and other cruel and degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners.
According to Parliament, EU Member States should stop all transfers of arms, surveillance and intelligence equipment and materials that could be used by Bahrain in its ongoing crackdown on human rights.
Moreover, the EU must ensure that human rights are mainstreamed in all areas of cooperation with Bahrain, including in the EU-Bahrain cooperation agreement, MEPs say. They also call on the Union to remain vigilant about developments in the country and in the Gulf region in general and to use all the means of influence at its disposal.
See the resolution: http://bit.ly/3rGHMFA (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)