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Obama lists Bahrain as UN Council conveniently gives Bahrain Free Pass on Human Rights abuses

by Courtesy

UN Human Rights Council: Double-standards tarnish positive initiatives at international rights body | 20/06/2011

International community fails to address human rights crisis in Bahrain

(Geneva – 17 June 2011) On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council wrapped up its 17th Session, adopting a series of positive resolutions on Libya, Yemen and other issues, but failed to address the grave and deteroirating human rights situation in Bahrain.

The human rights crisis in Bahrain has become increasingly severe since mid-March 2011, when the government violently put down pro-democracy and anti-government street protests. Government authorities have launched a harsh campaign of retributive repression against individuals who supported or participated in the protests that began in mid-February, including targeting demonstrators, opposition leaders, peaceful critics, rights activists, journalists, doctors, labour unionists, and students.

According to Laila Matar, UN representative of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), “Arbitrary detention, allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings and other serious rights violations have become routine in Bahrain, but the Human Rights Council continues to turn a blind eye, effectively abandoning the pro-democracy movement in the country.”

Saudi Arabia has lobbied hard behind the scenes at the Council to ensure no collective action is taken on Bahrain. “Member states of the “Western group,” including the United States, and other governments, have demonstrated blatant double-standards when dealing with various crackdowns in response to pro-democracy protests in the Arab region,” said Jeremie Smith, Director of the Geneva Office of CIHRS, “While Libya, Syria and Yemen have been dealt with by the Council through Special Sessions and strong joint statements, the situation in Bahrain has largely been ignored. This type of inconsistency does great damage to the credibility of this Council.” …more