Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (BFHR) opened its fifth international conference on Tuesday (April 29, 2016), entitled "Bahrain: Rights Under Restrictions-Freedom of Expression Peaceful Assembly and Right of Citizenship" at the Coral Beach Hotel in the Lebanese Capital, Beirut.

During the opening session of the conference, Antoine Madelin of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) spoke of how the FIDH managed to improve its work in Bahrain, as some of its members entered the country and met with opposition leaders, government officials, foreign ambassadors, and victims as well, whose stories and sufferings Madeline said he'd never forget.

Madeline said that investigations revealed that the authorities in Bahrain still deprive the majority of Bahrainis of their rights and use government bodies to crush Bahrainis instead of protecting them, which spreads fear and panic among citizens.

He further stated that there is systematic repression in Bahrain that is devastating civil society, noting that the federation concluded that the judiciary is manipulated by the authorities in order to crack down on anyone who practices his rights.

Madeline further commended the role of Bahraini human rights activists whose voices have reached the international community, particularly the European Parliament.

Arabic Version