EU Council conclusions on Bahrain

EU Council conclusions on Bahrain
3091st FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting
Brussels, 23 May 2011

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

“The Council remains seriously concerned by the situation in Bahrain.

The European Union is particularly concerned about the imminent risk of execution of two Bahraini nationals recently sentenced to death. The EU is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all
circumstances and calls on the Bahraini authorities to reinstate the de facto moratorium on capital punishment that prevailed until 2006. These death sentences risk further exacerbating recent tensions in Bahrain; as such, they present an obstacle to national reconciliation.

The European Union strongly encourages Bahrain to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, and accountability regarding allegations of human rights violations including reported cases of torture and ill-treatment. The EU also encourages fair and transparent administration of justice including in cases involving charges
against medical professionals. Access for independent observers to ongoing legal proceedings should be allowed.

The EU welcomes the decree issued by King Hamad of Bahrain, according to which the state of emergency will be lifted on 1 June. We look forward to the practical actions which will support this move.

The EU once again urges all parties to engage rapidly in meaningful dialogue with a view to bringing about reforms which offer real prospects for successfully addressing the country’s challenges.” …source