The British Foreign Office has published a human rights “country case study” for Bahrain. While acknowledging that there are “remaining areas of concern” the report cites “evidence of real efforts being made” to push through a broad range of human rights reforms.
The case study observed that in June this year 45 countries signed a UN joint statement which recognized the positive steps taken by Bahrain in this regard. The report also cites numerous examples of British support for helping introduce these reforms.
The report highlights the following recent developments:
- “We strongly support the King’s announcement on 21 September to hold parliamentary elections in November, as one of only a few countries in the region to do so, and have been actively encouraging all sides to engage in the process.”
- The case study praised efforts to “put in place forensic training and service development support, to increase the capacity to deliver high-standard criminal investigations and remove dependence on confessions.”
- The case study welcomes the new dedicated women’s prison and the programme to improve the facilities at Jaw prison.
- The first annual report by the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman’s Office “made important recommendations”. The Ombudsman also referred numerous complaints to the Public Prosecution Special Investigation Unit.
- The Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission issued their first report following their unannounced inspection visit to Dry Dock Detention Facility, during which they were granted full access to detainees, facilities and records.
- The Bahraini Parliament in June passed a new law to grant wider responsibilities to the National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR) to investigate human rights violations and inspect detention places.
- The Foreign Office welcomed the NIHR’s first report which identified a number of shortcomings and made recommendations. Bahrain’s leadership accepted the report and “praised its objectivity”.
- Bahrain has taken “positive steps to increase engagement with the UN and international NGOs, which demonstrates a level of transparency”.
- Britain welcomed the 2014 visit by Amnesty International and the visit by the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights.
- With UK funding, the Causeway Institute for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution has been working with local NGOs and youth societies to promote responsible freedom of expression.
- With UK funding, Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas has been providing capacity-building support to the Ombudsman’s Office and training to the PDRC through Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in order to increase public confidence in these institutions.
- In June, the Minister for the Middle East visited Bahrain for the UK-Bahrain Joint Working Group, to discuss the UK’s ongoing support to Bahrain’s reform programme,
- The Foreign Office case study said that Britain would continue to play its part in supporting Bahrain’s reform programme, and in addressing the remaining recommendations of the UPR and Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.