22nd session of the Human Rights Council
Item 6
Delivered by Dr Nada Dhaif
Thank you Mr. President,
I would like to thank the 44 member states who signed the Swiss initiated statement last week on Bahrain.
We hope to see more statements of this nature in future, with more signatures, and with more action from the counsel.
As you all know there has been a significant increase in the reprisals against Human Rights Defenders in the context of UPR.
Unfortunately the Bahraini authorities gave the worst example of repression of Human Rights Defenders, and therefore, I am deeply concerned for the welfare of two of my Bahraini friends who have joined me to advocate in Geneva, Mr Mohammed AlBoflasa, who was the first political detainee of the uprising in Bahrain. He and his family were severely targeted and he is threatened with arrest and detention upon his return to Bahrain for his participation at the UNHRC.
Also, Mr Ali Fakhrawi, the son of the martyr Karim Fakhrawi. Your Excellency, he and his family are subject to all types of repression, among them you find martyrs, refugees and detainees.
Mr. President these are two examples out of hundreds proving that the Bahraini people are suffering on both sides. The first example is a Sunni friend, the other is a Shia friend. This is undeniable evidence that the conflict is national and the authorities are oppressing ALL opponents.
I’m calling for the counsel to ensure that there are no reprisals against them for cooperating with the United Nations.
Thank you for your attention