Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Swiss delegation delivered on Monday (September 14, 2015) a joint statement signed by 33 states at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva. The statement tackled the human rights situation in Bahrain and called for reviving the necessary conditions for the resumption of an open and inclusive national dialogue to put an end to the crisis that erupted in the country 5 years ago.

While the statement welcomed what it called the "positive steps" made by Bahrain with regards to the establishment of the Ombudsman and the Special Investigation Unit affiliated to the Public Prosecution, it called on the government to continue working to make these institutions and the judiciary more impartial, transparent, independent and effective, and to release all persons imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights.

The statement pointed out to an announcement by the Bahraini Foreign Minister regarding cooperation with the OHCHR and urged the Bahraini government to open an office for the commissioner in Manama, explaining that the recent visit of the OHCHR delegation to Bahrain was successful, but did not have any significant results.

It also highlighted that the human rights situation in Bahrain remains an issue of serious concern, expressing concern about reports of harassment and imprisonment of persons exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and of peaceful assembly and association, including human rights defenders about the lack of sufficient guarantees of fair trial.

The statement expressed concern by reports of excessive use of force by the riot police forces and condemned the targeting of security forces personnel.

The signatories urged the Bahraini government to agree to a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez, open an inclusive national dialogue to put an end to the crisis, release all persons imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights, expedite the full implementation of the recommendations of the BICI and the UPR and repeal legal provisions that are not in line with Bahrain's international human rights obligations and commitments, in particular regarding freedom of expression.

Arabic Issue