HR Organizations Call for Activating "Magnitsky Act" to Hold Perpetrators of Violations Accountable

2023-03-28 - 5:02 ص

Bahrain Mirror: Bahraini human rights activists confirmed in their interventions in front of the Bahraini Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior delegation during the 52nd session of the "Human Rights Council" in Geneva, that Bahrain continues to violate human rights and has not taken any serious step towards reform. The activists demanded the activation of the "Magnitsky Act" to hold perpetrators of violations in Bahrain accountable. 

Hussain Abdulla, Executive Director of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, said in his intervention in front of the Council: "the Bahraini government's claim that no one is above the law, even ministers and government officials caught my attention," asking the government: "When will you arrest those who ordered the arrest, torture and treatment denial of national leaders? When will you arrest those who perpetuated sectarianism and political naturalization in the country, ordered the execution of youths and the entry of foreign forces into the country and attack of citizens?"

Yusuf Al-Hoori, member of Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, said that the government of Bahrain, which said it met with Bahraini human rights organizations to prepare its national report: "Did you meet with Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace and Naji Fateel in their cells in the notorious Jaw prison? When will Mohammed Ramadan and Hussain Moosa, Bahraini citizens sentenced to death over confessions extracted under severe torture under orders of the Bahraini government, be released and compensated for the torture they were subjected to?"

Chairman of the Bahrain Forum for Human Rights stated that "while the (Bahraini) Minister of Foreign Affairs declares that the promotion and protection of human rights is among his priorities, the government has not taken any serious step towards radical human rights reform, but has exaggerated to put an end to some of the rights."

Maryam Al-Khawaja, daughter of prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, said, "Bahrain has failed to abide by the recommendations issued at the council's last three sessions regarding the good treatment of prisoners and the provision of health care to them." She warned that her father is "in real danger of having a heart attack" and called on Bahrain to "release him along with all those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression."

Ali Mushaima, son of imprisoned icon Hasan Mushaima, called for "activating the penalties of the Magnitsky Act to hold accountable those involved in violations in Bahrain, led by Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, whose reign witnessed dozens of victims."

Arabic Version