Presented by Switzerland on behalf of 44 UN member states, including the United Kingdom and United States of America, the statement highlights particular concern “about the continued harassment and imprisonment of persons exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, including human rights defenders” and calls for Bahrain to “expedite the implementation of recommendations received from the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the recommendations Bahrain agreed to accept through the Universal Periodic Review”. Following intense and continued advocacy by FIDH pertaining to these measures, FIDH welcomes this important move by a significant number of UN member States and continues to advocate for the immediate release of its deputy secretary general Nabeel Rajab. FIDH reiterates its condemnation of ongoing human rights violations and calls for accountability of perpetrators of violations and justice for victims. Read the full statement by the OHCHR (attached).
HUMAN RIGHTS IN BAHRAIN: JOINT STATEMENT BY 44 UN MEMBER STATES
28-Feb-2013: A joint statement on the human rights situation in Bahrain was read at the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva during the interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.