Human Rights Council elections 2008 - Bahrain

There are reports of violations of the rights to freedom of expression and association in Bahrain.  Legislation passed in 2006 imposes serious restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

For example, the definition of "public gathering" is very broad and even meetings held in private and involving only a small number of people are subject to prior official notification. Political rallies and meetings are banned for non-citizens as are demonstrations for election purposes.

A 2005 law regulating political associations unduly restricts the right to freedom of association, for instance by requiring associations to be approved by the Minister of Justice. In October 2006, information relating to a report issued by a UK national and adviser to the Bahraini government, Salah al-Bandar, was banned.

The report alleged that officials had planned to manipulate the outcome of the November 2006 parliamentary elections. Following Mr al-Bandar’s deportation to the UK, charges were made against him in Bahrain. He denied the charges, but he may be tried in absentia.

Journalists have been calling for more press freedom and for an end to prison terms for press-related offences. At least 22 internet websites have been banned by the authorities.

In May 2008, a new draft press law was finalized. The draft law guarantees freedom of expression as long as religion is not insulted and national unity is not threatened. It is reported to have been passed to parliament for approval.

There are reports of individuals being prosecuted on defamation charges for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and of human rights defenders being a target of abuse and intimidation. However, to Amnesty International’s knowledge, no thorough investigations into such incidents have been carried out.

The counter-terrorism legislation passed in August 2006 undermines human rights protection, including by allowing the death penalty for anyone convicted of committing or planning terrorist acts.

National legislation does not explicitly prohibit the use of torture and ill-treatment by the police, and does not give a clear and comprehensive definition of torture. Further, Decree no. 56 2002 grants a blanket amnesty for alleged perpetrators of torture, and there is no specific legislation making redress available to victims of torture.

Several people arrested in December 2007 following demonstrations were said to have been tortured.

After more than ten years of de facto abolition of the death penalty, three foreign citizens were executed in 2006, and in 2007 at least two death sentences were passed. Amnesty International is concerned at the resumption of the use of the death penalty in Bahrain, as well as the enactment of new legislation encouraging its use.

Recent Amnesty International statements and reports:

General

Amnesty International Annual Report extracts for Bahrain, 2005-2007
Bahrain: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: First Session of the HRC UPR Working Group, 7-18 April 2008 (21November 2007)

Ratification of International Treaties

Treaty Status Recognition of specific competences of Treaty Bodies Reservations/ Declarations
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Ratified None Entered
Optional Protocol to the ICCPR      
Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR on the death penalty      
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Ratified   Entered
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Ratified   Entered
Optional Protocol to CEDAW      
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination Ratified None Entered
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) Ratified Art. 20 (Inquiry Procedure) Entered
Optional Protocol to CAT      
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Ratified    
Optional Protocol to the CRC on children in armed conflict Ratified   Entered
Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography Ratified    
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families      
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance      
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Signed    
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees      
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees      
The Four Geneva Conventions Acceded    
Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts Acceded    
Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts Acceded    
Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem      

Compliance with Reporting Obligations

Total Overdue Reports Up to 5 years overdue 5-10 years overdue 10 years or more overdue
8 HR Committee: initial report
CERD: 8th and 9th periodic reports
CAT: 2nd periodic report
CRC: 2nd and 3rd periodic reports
CRC OP AC: initial report
CRC OP SC: initial report 		   

Cooperation with the Special Procedures

Extension of a standing invitation Outstanding visit requests (year requested) Forthcoming visits (dates if available) Missions carried out between May 2007 and April 2008
None None Special Rapporteur on migrants (agreed in principle) None
Sources: