Press Release
\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nContact: Mary McGuire 202-747-7035<\/p>\n
Continuing Abuses by Bahraini Government Demand Stronger Response by U.S. and International Community
\nWashington – June 17, 2011<\/p>\n
Freedom House welcomes yesterday\u2019s statement by the United States at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva listing Bahrain as one of several countries that should receive additional scrutiny by the body and urges stronger U.S. and international action in response to the ongoing abuses in that country. <\/p>\n
Despite a violent crackdown by the Bahraini government, in which at least 31 people have been killed since demonstrations began in February, responses by most countries to the abuses taking place in the Gulf country\u2014including by the United States\u2014have been muted. Just last week, President Obama personally met with Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and reaffirmed the \u201cstrong commitment of the United States to Bahrain.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cFreedom House welcomes yesterday\u2019s call by the U.S. to focus the Human Rights Council\u2019s attention on serious human rights violations occurring in the midst of protests by peaceful activists seeking political reform,\u201d said Charles Dunne, senior program manager for Freedom House\u2019s Middle East and North Africa program. \u201cHowever, as an important ally to Bahrain, the United States must do more to stem the Bahraini government\u2019s continued violence against and arrests of activists, journalists, medical professionals and demonstrators. We further urge the Bahraini government to cooperate fully with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to investigate all allegations of violence in an accountable, just, and transparent manner.\u201d …more<\/a><\/p>\n