A Follow-Up Report on Bahrain's UPR Second Cycle
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The FCO's Human Rights Work in 2012
House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee The FCO’s human rights work in 2012 Fourth Report of Session 2013–14 Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence Additional written evidence is contained in Volume II, available on the Committee website at www.parliament.uk/facom Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 8 October 2013 HC 267 Published on 17 October 2013 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £15.50 The Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its associated agencies. Current membership Richard Ottaway (Conservative, Croydon South) (Chair) Mr John Baron (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife) Rt Hon Ann Clwyd (Labour, Cynon Valley) Mike Gapes (Labour/Co-op, Ilford South) Mark Hendrick (Labour/Co-op, Preston) Sandra Osborne (Labour, Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Andrew Rosindell (Conservative, Romford) Mr Frank Roy (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw) Rt Hon Sir John Stanley (Conservative, Tonbridge and Malling) Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the parliament: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (Labour, Coventry North East) Emma Reynolds (Labour, Wolverhampton North East) Mr Dave Watts (Labour, St Helens North) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. -
Bahrain Imprisonment, Torture and Statelessness: the Darkening Reality of Human Rights Defenders in Bahrain International Mission Report
BAHRAIN IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE AND STATELESSNESS: THE DARKENING REALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BAHRAIN International Mission Report June 2015 Cover photos: Photos of Hussain Jawad, Ghada Jamsheer, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Sayed Ahmed Al-Wedaei, Ibrahim Al-Dimistani, Naji Fateel, Madhi Abu Deeb, Mohammed Al-Maskati, Zainab Al-Khawaja, Taïmoor Karimi and Nabeel Rajab. All rights reserved. Directors of publication: Karim Lahidji, Gerald Staberock Authors of the report: Safya Akorri Edition and coordination: Alexandra Pomeon O’Neill and Miguel Martín Zumalacárregui Design: CBT / Lay out: Stéphanie Geel Imprimerie de la FIDH Dépôt légal juillet 2015 FIDH (English ed.) ISSN 2225-1804 – Fichier informatique conforme à la loi du 6 janvier 1978 (Déclaration N° 330 675) 2 The Observatory IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE AND STATELESSNESS: THE DARKENING REALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BAHRAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 4 METHODOLOGY . 5 I. THE CONTEXT: A SHRUNKEN SPACE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS . 6 A. Political context ..............................................................6 B. Legal framework . 8 B.1. Restrictions to freedom of association .......................................8 B.2. Criminal provisions used to repress human rights defenders .....................9 II. CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS SUBJECTED TO JUDICIAL HARASSMENT IN BAHRAIN 11 • Mr. Madhi Abu Deeb. .11 • Mr. Ibrahim Al-Dimistani. 13 • Mr. Naji Fateel. 15 • Ms. Ghada Jamsheer .........................................................17 -
Joint Letter to the Human Rights Council Calling for States' Action To
www.amnesty.org AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT DATE 17 June 2021 INDEX MDE 28/4303/2021 JOINT LETTER TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CALLING FOR STATES’ ACTION TO ADDRESS THE ALGERIAN AUTHORITIES’ ALARMING CRACKDOWN ON PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES 82 civil society organisations call on states to take action to address the Algerian authorities' alarming crackdown on pro- democracy forces during HRC 47 The unrelenting criminalisation of fundamental freedoms warrants an urgent response Dear representatives, We, the undersigned Algerian, regional and international non-governmental organisations, urge your government, individually and jointly with other states, to address the alarming crackdown on peaceful Algerian protesters, journalists, civil society members and organisations, human rights defenders and trade unionists during the 47th United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) session. Repression has increased drastically and a more assertive public position from states is crucial to protecting Algerians peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. We urge you, in relevant agenda items such as in the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner under Item 2 or in the Interactive Debates with the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly under Item 3, to: ● Condemn the escalating crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, including the excessive use of force, the forced dispersal and intimidation of protesters and the -
Human Rights & Democracy
Human Rights & Democracy The 2016 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report Human Rights & Democracy The 2016 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by Command of Her Majesty July 2017 Cm 9487 d Human Rights and Democracy: The 2016 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report © Crown copyright 2017 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected]. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at: Parliament and Communications Team, Human Rights and Democracy Department, Room K1.01, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH Print ISBN 9781474141130 Web ISBN 9781474141147 ID P002863281 07/17 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum Printed in the UK by the Williams Lea Group on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Designed in-house by the FCO Communication Directorate Cover image: Displaced men, women and children after fleeing ISIL-controlled areas in rural Raqqa to Ain Issa, the main staging point for -
The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East
The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East Sima Shine 2QHRIWKHGH¿QLQJFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIWKH0LGGOH(DVWRIUHFHQW\HDUVKDV been the worsening crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the efforts on both sides to consolidate regional coalitions in order to increase their regional LQÀXHQFH2YHUWKHODVWGHFDGHWKHUHJLRQZLWQHVVHGDVHULHVRIGUDPDWLF developments, caused by both endogenous and exogenous factors, while in the background the Saudi-led Sunni axis and the Iran-led Shiite axis took shape. On the one hand, the region saw the collapse of some Arab states as a result of their populations’ pent-up disappointment with the oppressive regimes that were unable to meet civilian needs. This development, along with the failure of secular pan-Arabism, paved the way for the rise of political Islam and the return of religion – in itself fertile ground for factionalism and sectarianism – to the region’s political arena. The strengthening of the Sunni sector, which lacked a universally recognized spiritual-religious center, HQDEOHGWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIDUDQJHRI6XQQLJURXSVZKRDUHQRZ¿JKWLQJ each other while exploiting the disintegration of some state frameworks, and QXUWXULQJWKH6XQQL6KLLWHFRQÀLFW2QWKHRWKHUKDQGWKH$PHULFDQLQYDVLRQ RI,UDTWKHUHPRYDORI6DGGDP+XVVHLQ¶V6XQQLUHJLPHDQGWKHULVHRIWKH 6KLLWHPDMRULW\OHGWRWKH¿UVWHYHU6KLLWHUHJLPHLQDQ$UDEFRXQWU\DQG paved the way for Iran’s massive entry to the arena. This is how the “Shiite FUHVFHQW´FRPSULVLQJ,UDQ,UDT6\ULDDQG/HEDQRQZDVIRUPHG7KHZDU in Yemen, in which Iran is aiding the Shiite-allied Houthis, strengthened WKHLPDJHRIWKHVSUHDGRI,UDQLDQLQÀXHQFHIURPWKH*XOIDQGWKH6WUDLWRI Hormuz to the Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. 141 Sima Shine At the heart of the rising tension and rivalry is the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has known many ups and downs in the almost four decades since the Islamic Revolution in Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini’s blunt statement that the House of Saud must be overthrown. -
13 May 2021, Rome to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Of
13 May 2021, Rome To His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, We, Members of the Italian Parliament, are writing to you today to express our deep concerns over the fate of the prisoners of conscience and the human rights defenders currently held in the prisons of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We are aware that not only are these prisoners subjected to unjust punishment and ill-treatment, but that they are also experiencing a disproportionately high risk of illness, as they are deprived of medical attention and personal protective equipment necessary to protect against COVID-19. This situation is great cause for concern, since it violates the values of freedom, dignity, and respect that Italy and the rest of the international community hold dear. Moreover, it does not respect the many international treaties that the Kingdom of Bahrain has signed which aim to defend human freedom, dignity, and safety. These treaties further safeguard an individual’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech, and include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the Arab Charter on Human Rights (ACHR). As you are certainly aware, on 11th March 2021, the EU Parliament passed a resolution that addresses the cases of the prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders who are currently serving their prison sentences. For example, Hassan Mushaima, the leader of the political opposition, the former Secretary-General of the al-Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy, and co-Founder and former Vice President of al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has been imprisoned since 2011 because of his political opposition. -
The UK's Relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee The UK’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Fifth Report of Session 2013–14 Volume II Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published 12 November 2013 Published on 22 November 2013 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its associated agencies. Current membership Rt Hon Richard Ottaway (Conservative, Croydon South) (Chair) Mr John Baron (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife) Rt Hon Ann Clwyd (Labour, Cynon Valley) Mike Gapes (Labour/Co-op, Ilford South) Mark Hendrick (Labour/Co-op, Preston) Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Andrew Rosindell (Conservative, Romford) Mr Frank Roy (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw) Rt Hon Sir John Stanley (Conservative, Tonbridge and Malling) Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the parliament: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (Labour, Coventry North East) Emma Reynolds (Labour, Wolverhampton North East) Mr Dave Watts (Labour, St Helens North) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including news items) are on the internet at www.parliament.uk/facom. -
General Assembly Distr.: General 5 November 2020
United Nations A/HRC/36/2 General Assembly Distr.: General 5 November 2020 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-sixth session 11–29 September 2017 Agenda item 1 Organizational and procedural matters Report of the Human Rights Council on its thirty- sixth session Vice-President and Rapporteur: Mouayed Saleh (Iraq) GE.20-14727(E) A/HRC/36/2 Contents Chapter Page Part One: Resolutions, decisions and President’s statement adopted by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-sixth session ...................................................................................................................................... 4 I. Resolutions .................................................................................................................................... 4 II. Decisions ....................................................................................................................................... 5 III. President’s statement ..................................................................................................................... 6 Part Two: Summary of proceedings .................................................................................................................... 7 I. Organizational and procedural matters .......................................................................................... 7 A. Opening and duration of the session ..................................................................................... 7 B. Attendance ........................................................................................................................... -
Political Repression in Sudan
Sudan Page 1 of 243 BEHIND THE RED LINE Political Repression in Sudan Human Rights Watch/Africa Human Rights Watch Copyright © May 1996 by Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-75962 ISBN 1-56432-164-9 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report was researched and written by Human Rights Watch Counsel Jemera Rone. Human Rights Watch Leonard H. Sandler Fellow Brian Owsley also conducted research with Ms. Rone during a mission to Khartoum, Sudan, from May 1-June 13, 1995, at the invitation of the Sudanese government. Interviews in Khartoum with nongovernment people and agencies were conducted in private, as agreed with the government before the mission began. Private individuals and groups requested anonymity because of fear of government reprisals. Interviews in Juba, the largest town in the south, were not private and were controlled by Sudan Security, which terminated the visit prematurely. Other interviews were conducted in the United States, Cairo, London and elsewhere after the end of the mission. Ms. Rone conducted further research in Kenya and southern Sudan from March 5-20, 1995. The report was edited by Deputy Program Director Michael McClintock and Human Rights Watch/Africa Executive Director Peter Takirambudde. Acting Counsel Dinah PoKempner reviewed sections of the manuscript and Associate Kerry McArthur provided production assistance. This report could not have been written without the assistance of many Sudanese whose names cannot be disclosed. CONTENTS -
Patterns of Torture in Bahrain: Perpetrators Must Face Justice
Patterns of Torture in Bahrain: Perpetrators must Face Justice A Report by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) March 2021 Patterns of Torture in Bahrain: Perpetrators must Face Justice I. Executive Summary 3 II. Methodology 4 III. Introduction 5 1. Patterns of Torture 6 1.1 The Prevalence of Torture in the Bahraini Justice System and Extraction of Confessions by Torture 6 1.2 Gross Violations of Fair Trial Rights and Due Process: The Admissibility of Confessions Extracted by Torture in Criminal Proceedings 10 1.3 The Use of Torture and its Chilling Effect on Exercising the Rights to Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association 11 1.4 Torture and Travel Bans in Reprisal against Human Rights Defenders who Interact with International Human Rights Mechanisms 12 2. Ending the Culture of Impunity: Ensuring that Perpetrators of Torture are Held Accountable 14 2.1 Tackling the Culture of Impunity within Bahrain 14 2.2 Ensuring International Accountability by Moving Away from a Culture of Complicity in the International Community 15 3. Conclusion 20 4. Recommendations 21 4.1 Recommendations to the Government of Bahrain 21 4.2 Recommendations to the International Community 21 2 Patterns of Torture in Bahrain: Perpetrators must Face Justice I. Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive overview of the specific ways and means by which torture is perpetrated in Bahrain, with a particular focus on the period since the 2011 popular movement and the violent crackdown that followed. The report documents the widespread use of forms of -
A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14Th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory
Science Arena Publications Specialty Journal of Politics and Law ISSN: 2520-3282 Available online at www.sciarena.com 2018, Vol, 3 (4): 62-78 A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory Ehsan Bagheri Dana1, Alireza Beygi1, Peyman Hassani2* 1 Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran, 2 Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran. *Corresponding Author Abstract: The comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement as two Islamic countries which have been highly affected by each other in various fields is of great importance. By adapting the most critical Western ideas about the Islamic Revolution of Iran and analyzing its similarities and differences with Bahrain's February 14th movement, some of their most significant similarities and differences can be found. The " Goldstone's fourth generation " theory, which was presented as one of the late theories in the cause of the revolution, was evaluated by some scholars of the Islamic revolution in Iran and is still under investigation. The present study aimed at explaining the similarities and differences between the two events and evaluate the influence Bahrain’s movement from the Islamic Revolution of Iran through the comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement based on Goldstone's fourth generation theory. The findings of this study which were obtained based on a descriptive- analytical method and collection of sources based on the library and interviews with elite indicated that the Bahrain’s system in Bahrain's February 14th movement attempted to deny the effect of the Iranian revolution on Bahrain and introduce Bahrain's developments due to religious differences between Shiite and Sunni. -
Report on Bahrain's Attorney General
Report on Bahrain’s Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al‐ Buainain and his position in the International Association of Prosecutors . Report on Bahrain’s Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al‐ Buainain and his position in the International Association of Prosecutors Copyright © 2012 Ceartas All rights reserved Publication date: April 2013 Ceartas 7 Red Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Ireland Company registration number No: 521220 Ceartas‐Irish Lawyers for Human Rights is an independent non‐profit organisation that seeks to promote and realise human rights standards internationally through innovative legal actions. We provide a platform to explore existing and alternative legal strategies by bringing together a range of legal professionals through our pro‐bono register and expert groups. Ceartas primarily aims to effect human rights change in other countries through the use of Irish, regional and international mechanisms with the view to promoting accountability on international human rights issues. For more information visit www.ceartaslaw.org T A B L E O F C O N T E N TS . Executive summary 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 2. Background to recent changes in the criminal justice system of Bahrain...................2 3. Overview of the International Association of Prosecutors…….....……..…………………3 4. Prosecution for the rights of expression and assembly…………...………..……………….4 5. Adherence to fair procedures and due process………….…………...…………………….…10 6. Investigating and prosecuting on matters of torture…........……..…..…………………....13 7. Findings……………………..….……………….……………………………………………………………..17 8. Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………….....22 Annexes . E X E C U T I V E SU M M A R Y This report, using evidence widely available, examines the role of Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al‐ Buainain, Attorney General of Bahrain, and his suitability as an Executive Committee member of the International Association of Prosecutors.