Bahrain Mirror: The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society announced adopting all what was stated in the European Parliament resolution, issued on March 11, 2021.

It hailed in an official statement the historic, fair and responsible position towards the political and rights status quo in Bahrain. Al-Wefaq stressed that the resolution, passed by 95% of the votes, manifests the international community's confidence in the just demands of the Bahraini citizens; the absence of the institutional role of the state; the collapse of the social contract; and the violation of the right of citizenship and the principles of democracy and human rights.

Based on this vital international position, which imposes on Bahrain's authorities necessary obligations; Al-Wefaq affirmed its support for the resolution in its entirety. Besides, it renewed its call, through this international initiative, to the authorities to consider these demands, the most prominent of which are:

1.  The immediate and unconditional release of all human rights defenders, prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, especially the opposition leaders.

2.  Abolishing all death sentences against those calling for democracy and rights, and re-prosecute them in a manner that fully conforms to international fair trial standards.

3. Observing the right to freedom of expression and repeal laws that criminalize the peaceful exercise of freedoms of opinion, association (parties) and assembly, including amending the law on the exercise of political rights.

4.  Implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and of the Universal Periodic Review for the years 2012 and 2017, especially those linked to reforming criminal justice and respecting all civil, economic, political, social and cultural rights.

5.  Allowing the only independent media in the country "Al Wasat" to reoperate while allowing free press and preserving public freedoms.

6. Allowing independent political societies to operate, including Waad, Al-Wefaq and Amal.

7. Allowing foreign journalists and international human rights organizations to visit Bahrain.

8. Conducting thorough and credible investigations into all allegations of torture while holding those responsible accountable.

9. Complying with its obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture.

10. Fully cooperating with the United Nations bodies and allowing all the special rapporteurs of the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as the European Union officials, independent observers and human rights groups to visit the country and to cooperate seriously with them.

11. Restoring Bahraini nationality to citizens who were unjustly stripped of.

12. Calling on the European Department of Foreign Affairs and member states to systematically raise concerns about the violation of human rights and the lack of political space to express legitimate and peaceful opposition, as part of future human rights dialogues on Bahrain.

13. Imposing a ban on the export, sale, modernization and maintenance of any form of security equipment by the European Union to Bahrain, which could be used or employed for internal repression, including Internet surveillance technology. Also, calling the High Representative to present a report on the military and security cooperation between the European Union member states and Bahrain.

14. Calling on Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to use his position to push Bahrain towards political reform; respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms; allowing political parties and clubs to resume their legal, peaceful, political and cultural activities; upholding national reconciliation; putting an end to sectarian oppression and discrimination; and strengthening national unity in line with stances, which he has expressed in the past, including his initiative with the "7 Points" in 2011; and in line with the principles of the Manama Document that Bahrain's opposition and people approve.

We, in Al-Wefaq, urge the authorities in Bahrain to take advantage of this international opportunity. We emphasize that the European Parliament's resolution constitutes a roadmap to seriously and effectively settle Bahrain's crisis, in its political, economic and security aspects. The resolution, which was almost completely unanimous by European representatives, is a clear diagnosis of the reality of the political crisis in the country, and a new international evidence that reveals to what extent the human rights file has deteriorated in the country.

We appreciate the vote of European parliamentarians on this resolution, in particular the 15 MPs who have conveyed Bahrain's gloomy human rights reality in the European Parliament, mainly representative of France, Finland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

Arabic Version