By Peter Tatchell

The international community has failed in its duty to protect the civilian population of Bahrain from arrest, detention without trial, torture and murder by the regime of King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa.

Originally published by Liberal Conspiracy

Close to 1,000 Bahrainis have been arrested since the start of protests in February, although about 300 of these have since been released. Twenty-one opposition activists and human rights defenders are being prosecuted on trumped up charges.

The international community – especially the UN, EU, US, UK and Arab League – should:
- work together to impose targeted sanctions on the regime,
- halt all arms sales to Bahrain, cease military cooperation,
- suspend the operation of the US naval base,
- institute a travel ban and assets-freeze on top regime officials,
- prohibit the export to Bahrain of luxury items for the rich ruling elite,
- refer Bahrain’s leaders to the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council on charges of torture and crimes against humanity

The protesters in Bahrain are demanding democracy and human rights, especially for the Shia Muslim majority who comprises more than 60% of the population. Shias are excluded from political power by the pro-Sunni monarchy and government. They suffer sustained discrimination, especially in housing and jobs.

An estimated 1,000 professionals have been sacked from their jobs, accused of pro-democracy and pro-Shia sympathies. The country’s only opposition newspaper has been closed down.

Human rights activists in Bahrain report that at least 30 civilians have been killed, including four people who have died in custody after beatings and torture. Around 400 democracy protesters have been injured.

A total of 1,500 Saudi and UAE soldiers entered Bahrain in March and are helping with this systematic brutality. This is unacceptable repressive interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain. The international community should be pressing the Saudis and UAE to withdraw.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has condemned the savage tactics of the Bahraini regime as “shocking and illegal conduct.”

If the duty to protect civilians applies in Libya, why not in Bahrain?