At a side event to the 31th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, organised by the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) and the Bahrain human rights observatory (BHRO), Niccolo’ Figa-Talamanca, Secretary General of No Peace Without Justice called for ending repression and promoting meaningful democratic reform, the rule of law and respect of human rights in Bahrain.

Despite the Bahraini regime’s claims of reform, the facts on the ground blatantly speak to the contrary. Prominent political opposition leaders, civil society activists and human rights defenders are still being exposed routinely to harassment, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, ill-treatment and unfair and politically motivated trials leading to harsh sentences for having participated in peaceful demonstrations or criticised officials.

The response of the international community to the continued and violent assault on Bahrainis’ civic and political freedoms has, so far, been weak and deaf to the plight of the Bahraini citizens. It is way past time for the international community to take immediate concrete steps to make the Bahraini authorities accountable and comply with their obligations under international human rights laws and norms.
NPWJ’s Campaign to support human rights, democracy and accountability in  Bahrain
No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) supports Bahraini human rights organisations and activists in their efforts to promote a democratic and nonviolent political reform in Bahrain. It focuses on assisting human rights defenders and human rights advocates to secure effective and genuine accountability for past and ongoing violations of human rights, including through outreach, monitoring and documentation.

For further information, contact Gianluca Eramo on geramo@npwj.org or +32-2-548-3912 or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32-2-548-3915.