The Kingdom of Bahrain publicly committed to presenting its mid-term report on the implementation of the 2012 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations during the 27th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva this month. In the wake of protests and human rights abuse in 2011, the Bahrain government accepted all of the recommendations from the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) as well as 158 of the 172 recommendations from their 2012 UPR.
The UN has also called on Bahrain to release Maryam al-Khawaja and has expressed concern over on-going human rights violations. On August 30th, upon arriving in Bahrain, Maryam al-Khawaja was taken into custody and charged with allegedly assaulting a lieutenant and a police officer after refusing to hand over her mobile phone during a search. Maryam has denied the charges and called them "vindictive and fabricated." If found guilty, she could face a maximum of two years imprisonment. She has come to Bahrain to visit her a father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a prominent human rights activist who is currently serving a life sentence for attempting to overthrow the Bahrain government. He staged a 110-day hunger strike in 2012 and is currently on a hunger strike again.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bahrain upheld a ten year sentence against photo-journalist Ahmad Humaidan. Humaidan was convicted of taking part in an attack on a police station in April 2012. According to various human rights organisations, he was simply covering the demonstrations and was not involved in the violence. Humaidan continues to maintain his innocence. He has been detained since December 2012.
Despite repeated promises to implement reforms and to engage in national dialogue with opposition groups, the Bahrain government has repeatedly failed to do so and by continuing to detain the al-Khawajas, it is a clear indication that they are not serious about their promises. Furthermore, Bahrain's refusal to act will only damage their potential as a regional economic force and present and future investment from its global partners like India. India which holds vital stakes in the security and stability of the Gulf region, is an important partner for Bahrain with bilateral trade exceeding USD 1.3 billion in 2013-14. At present, there are over 350,000 Indian nationals who reside and work in Bahrain.
The NCF will provide an in-depth review of the mid-term report once it is made available to the public.
