False allegations in Special Rapporteur report rejected

Manama : The Kingdom of Bahrain yesterday categorically rejected the allegations raised against it by Special Rapporteur, stating it as “contrary to reality and does not reflect the truth of the matter.”

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom to the United Nations in Geneva expressed deep regret at the publication of the Special Rapporteur report stating that Bahrain rejects this statement in its entirety,  “which was based on non-objective, unrealistic and sole-source basis”.

“This report contains negative and inaccurate signals, contradicted by facts carried out by competent authorities exercising their powers to protect and safeguard human rights on the basis of their responsibility to protect security and society and enforce the law,” the statement said. 

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom also said that the UN report lacks accurate form and content and includes false content completely different from the reality of things and what they truly are.

Citing the progress achieved by Bahrain, especially in the fields of human rights and democratic action, Bahrain pointed out that it is even strange and outrageous that the report was based on a language and terms that were always denounced by its people and is also aimed at breaking its social fabric.

The Permanent Mission of Bahrain also called on the government and international non-governmental organisations, specifically the Special Rapporteur of Mandate Holders to investigate the credibility, integrity and objectivity in the reports and statements to ensure that the information taken from reliable sources are supported. 

Allegations, responses:

On Al Wefaq Islamic Society

The Association was dissolved by a decision of the High Civil Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld this ruling. Al-Wefaq has challenged discrimination, and this appeal is still pending before the Court of Cassation.

The decision of the High Civil Court is based on the principle of respect for the rule of law and the foundations of citizenship and for providing an environment conducive to terrorism, extremism and violence, calling for external interference in the internal affairs, and the exploitation of religious platforms in political action.

Closure of Wa’ad Society

As for the claim of the closure of Wa’ad Society for its connection to violence and arrests, there is no connection between this and the truth, and is not based on objective grounds.

The judicial authorities have ruled in favour of a lawsuit against the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad), the Dissolution of the Political Assembly. However, Wa’ad still has the right to appeal the decision. 

The court found that Wa’ad violated certain articles of the Political Associations Act, including publishing articles on the Internet praising convicted terrorists, as well as supporting banned organisations that back up and promote violence and sectarianism in the country.

In this context, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom affirms the full support of Bahrain for open and inclusive political dialogue through the constitutional institutions of the Kingdom. It encourages all citizens to play an active role through peaceful expression. The law must firmly and decisively protect the society in its unity, flesh and national fabric.

Village of Diraz

As for what happened in the village of Diraz on the twenty-third of last May morning, the security forces have carried an operation aimed at removing the spread and illegal barriers and roadblocks set up by illegal gatherings and terrorised civilians in the village.

This security deployment came after exhausting all peaceful means, and after growing complaints from residents of the area as a result of the chaos and lawlessness and the closure of roads and obstructing traffic by placing barriers, platforms and arson.

This security deployment was also met with considerable risks and terrorist attacks using grenades and Molotov cocktails, and weapon launchers with the iron bars.

The police have dealt with this matter with professionalism, according to the police code of conduct and compliant with international human rights standards, resulting in the injury of 31 policemen and the death of five of those who conflicted the law.

Human rights defenders

As for the statement for the reports that indicates that human rights defenders continue to face restrictions, intimidation, interrogation, detention and travel ban is entirely false and inaccurate and only points out that the reports are unreliable and politicised to serve purposes beyond the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Kingdom is committed to respect the freedom of opinion and expression as long as it is within the framework of respect for the law. The Kingdom also ensures all judicial guarantees to respect the exercise of this right and other human rights on the ground.

The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its solidarity with activists and human rights defenders as long as they abide by these principles and commit themselves to respecting the laws and regulations of their countries and not commit atrocities that fall within the scope of the criminal and punishable acts.