US, UK Refuse Bahrain Condemnation at UN, Crack Down Continues
"The thing that disappoints us most is the fact that the United Kingdom and the United States decided not to sign, which to us says a lot more about how they are insisting on implementing double standards when it comes to supporting or standing against human rights violations in different countries," she confirmed.
The United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign a UN document condemning the ongoing human rights abuses in Bahrain.
The UN Human Rights Council document, which was signed Thursday by major European countries including Germany and France, calls on the Gulf state to do more to protect civil liberties in the country.
"We express our concern over the human rights situation in Bahrain, both the violations that took place in February and March 2011 as well as the related ongoing ones," the document said.
It further added that "we are particularly concerned about the consequences faced by those who protested for democratic change in a peaceful manner."
Bahraini forces, backed by Saudi troops, crushed a pro-democracy uprising in early 2011, but protests have reemerged in recent months despite repression.
The US has remained quiet on the human rights situation in the country, which is the host of its Fifth Fleet, while condemning Syria and elsewhere over claimed violence.
Bahraini activists have accused global bodies such as the Human Rights Council of being pressured into silence on the issue.
Maryam Al-Khawaja, acting head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, welcomed the ruling.
"This is the first step in showing that the Human Rights Council will not allow the implementation of double standards, although they have allowed it this long," she said.
However, she condemned the decision by the US and Britain to not sign the treaty as evidence of "double standards on human rights."
This came as Saudi-backed Bahraini regime forces have once again attacked people protesting against the al-Khalifa rule in towns and villages outside the capital, Manama.
Bahraini protesters took to the streets in several areas, despite the regime's ongoing brutal crackdown.
According to news agencies, regime forces once again clashed with protesters, firing tear gas and birdshots to disperse the people who were calling for the downfall of the regime.
On Wednesday, Bahraini forces injured a female human rights activist, Zainab al-Khawaja, after shooting her in the leg with a tear gas canister. The daughter of prominent activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, was targeted during an anti-government protest in the village of Buri, southwest of Manama.
Source: News agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
Comments
person Kerry Sparling
US & UK refuse to sign
The United States, United Kingdom, & unfortunately Canada are becoming well known around the world for these double standards. All three of these countries will cry foul when Iran, Syria, China or any other country does something which they say violates human rights. There isn’t a mention of human rights when a huge contract or trade is signed with any of these countries. “Israel” is a violator as well, but nothing is said. Saudi Arabia on the other hand, is one of the main abusers, yet these countries remain silent. The reasons I believe they are silent are: 1) Saudi Arabia is there main source for oil & if they offend them they may shut off the supply. 2) The majority of the people of Bahrain are Shia which ties them closely with Iran, no value to US or UK until they can force a regime change. 3) The US, UK, & their pet “Israel” will always champion the underdog as long as they are getting something in return.
