WRITTEN QUESTION P-2560/00

by Elena Paciotti (PSE) to the Council

(26 July 2000)

Subject: Respect for human rights in Bahrain

The situation with regard to human rights and democracy in Bahrain is causing serious concern. Following the introduction of the law on State security in 1974 and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament in 1975, there have been systematic violations of human rights and respect for minorities, consisting in arrests and imprisonment without trial and numerous cases of torture, documented by many international organisations.

The Bahraini authorities are denying international observers access to the country and refusing to provide information and explanations to UN bodies which have requested them, despite the fact that the country is a signatory to the Convention against torture.

In addition to adopting a number of resolutions on the subject, the European Parliament, via its Committee on Petitions, has taken up the case of Hassan Ali Mshaima, a Bahraini citizen and English teacher, who has been detained without any specific charges and without being brought to trial.

There are also systematic violations of social rights.

Can the Council:

- supply detailed information about respect for human rights and for minorities in Bahrain?

- say what the state of relations is between the EU and Bahrain in the context of cooperation with the Gulf States?

- say what steps the Council can take directly or in cooperation with the Member States concerned to ask the Bahraini authorities to respect human rights and cooperate, as a matter of urgency, with international humanitarian organisations, in order to ensure that they are allowed access to the country?

- say what practical steps will be taken to make the development of any form of cooperation with Bahrain subject to respect for the most basic human rights?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

The Council shares the view that the human rights situation in Bahrain is a cause for concern. Cases of torture, prolonged detentions without trial and other violations of international standards for fair trial have been reported, and fundamental democratic rights are denied.

However, there have been some positive developments in recent years. Hundreds but not all, of political prisoners have been released, and some, but not all, visits by human rights organisations have been allowed. Furthermore, it has been decided to set up a Consultative Council, albeit with limited powers, which could hopefully develop over time into a fully democratic National Assembly.

The EU has no separate contractual agreement with Bahrain. Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which the European Union has a Cooperation Agreement (OJ L 54, 25.2.1989, p. 1). The EU and the GCC meet once a year at ministerial level for a Joint Council; the latest such Council took place in Brussels on 22 May 2000. At that meeting, the Parties agreed that the next Joint Council should be held in Bahrain in 2001.

In connection with these Joint Councils, which mainly review the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement, Ministers also discuss political issues of mutual interest, including human rights. In this context, the EU endeavours to influence the GCC states including Bahrain to respect human rights and cooperate with the UN and international human rights organisations. In the framework of the Cooperation Agreement, the EU has proposed to establish a human rights dialogue at all levels with the GCC states. No decision has yet been taken.

The EU and the GCC are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. Such an Agreement, which would include a provision on human rights, would provide another opportunity to raise these issues. The Council considers this to be the most practical step to make human rights an important issue for the positive development of bilateral relations.