The 3rd International Conference: Ongiong Violations and Impunity is launched in Beirut on the third anniversary of the 14 Feb. Revolution with a wide participation of thirty Bahraini and international human rights organizations from more than sixteen countries. 

The conference is organized by Bahrain Forum for Human Rights and Bahrain Human Rights Observatory. 

A short introductory film was broadcast in the opening ceremony introducing the policies of oppression adopted by the regime. The director of the conference and the president of Bahrain Forum for Human Rights Yusuf Rabie emphasized in his speech that the international committee, especially the most influential states, has a great responsibility, towards the violations going on in Bahrain and impunity there. “Had there been any international pressure on the Barhaini regime to implement Bassiouni’s recommendations, we would have a different scene in Bahrain today. But today, more than 150 have been illegally killed; 300 arbitrarily detained and sentenced in political trials. Add to this the forced absence and torturing to death, discrimination, and denationalization. Some of these crimes are categorized as crimes against humanity.” Rabie adds. 

He urges the international committee that “it is time to hold accountability of the Bahraini regime away from any political and financial interests that must not proceed the great values of human rights.” 

Rabie says that this conference is held to emphasize on the Bahraini demands the first of which is to make the regime of oppression “be absentee and replace it with the state of human rights and freedom”.  

Rabie quoted Amnesty International as saying: “Although they are seriously injured; yet Bahrainis don’t bow.”

The senior organizing partner of the conference and the head of the Bahrain Human Rights Observatory Lawyer Mohamed al Tajer says that “We gather here to draw some question marks like why hasn’t this revolution succeeded yet?  Is it because its peacefulness? Is it because its high principles? Are its demands so strange?! Is blood sacrificing not enough to make a change in the regime’s form? Why change hasn’t been achieved yet? Why the international committee is not sufficiently concerned about Bahrainis’ rights-especially the rights of the politicians and diplomats?” Al Tajer more questions about UN silence asking: “Have UN high principles been fair with the Bahrainis? Are the Bahrainis’ violations and sufferings been carefully observed by worldwide human rights organizations? Why Security Council hasn’t issued a resolution on Bahrain yet? Why the General Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court hasn’t moved yet? We haven’t also heard any condemnation from UN Human Rights Council!” Concerning media blackout, al Tajer asked: “Why TV cameras are busy capturing and recording moving from Tunisia, to Egypt and haven’t been outside Yemen and become fixed in Syria without passing by Bahrain? Have international human rights mechanism been implanted in this spot in the world?” Al Tajer adds that the situation today in Bahrain is as follows. Policemen are following definite instructions. 

SHOOT.

KILL.

SMUGGLE.

IMPRISON.

TORTURE.”

He adds that the aim of this conference is to end the mentality ruling Bahrain- the takfiry mentality and the denial of the other that has caused the destructions of even the sacred masajids there. “We will continue supporting you in refusing fragmentation, takfiri thinking (the intellectual denying of the other), the personal, family, tribunal or sectarian interests. We have to continue our struggle to get our rights in reforms and change guaranteed and to live with dignity, freedom and democracy.”

The representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Middle East Dr. Mr. Abdessalam Ahmed declared that OHCHR is sending a mission to open dialogue with all sides in Bahrain including local civil and Human Rights organizations. He said the mission will stay for two months. He also raised concern against discrimination against women like Zeinab al Khawajah and Rayhana al Mousawi who are imprisoned for their opinions. He insisted that equality should prevail in Bahrain. 

Deputy Director of Middle East and North Africa Program Amnesty International Mr Said Bomaduha said that AI has appealed to make a visit to Bahrain and now waiting for the authorities reply. He raised concerns against the detention of 2000 citizens who are considered as opinion detainees. He also states that some detainees have been sentenced with life long prison while most of them are affiliated to the opposition that has never called for violence in Bahrain. 

International Human Rights Litigator, Abbe   Jolles, said that there should be greater solidarity with the imprisoned women in Bahrain.  We are in the process of addressing this serious human rights violation through the rule of law.   “We should seek ways of cooperation to solve this issue.”   In addition she noted that the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Defending Freedoms Project has appealed to individual members of the United States Congress to adopt jailed Bahraini of conscience.   Imprisoned Human Rights defender Nabeel Rajab has been adopted by congressmen McGovern, D-Massachusetts.  Zainab  al-Khawaja is in the process of being evaluated for eligibility for adoption.   Adopted prisoners will be monitored by their member of congress and may also receive visits.

Jolles also noted that Sheick Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa told the United Nations General Assembly on September 30, 2013  that the  Kingdom of Bahrain believed in, supported and protected human rights.  He said that in this spirit King Al-Khalifa took the historic initiative of proposing the creation of an Arab Human Rights Court.  Ms. Jolles said this was a great idea.  Establishing an international court with international staff in Bahrain is a substantial step in support of and protection of human rights.  

Human rights lawyer, Pete Weatherby, says that both lawyers and defenders must try to devise methods to move the situation on in Bahrain and persuade and pressure the Bahrain government to abide by the Rule of Law. He says that Bahrain is happy signing  “fine-sounding documents”, but yet it still has “to establish transparent systems, and a rigorous legal system to carry them into practice.”  

“In 2006 Bahrain signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.  To be effective the treaty must not only be signed but ratified.  Bahrain’s government promised to ratify it in 2007.  The world is still waiting.”Mr. Weatherby said. 

The conference is honored the human rights personality Nabeel Rajab, the head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights who is jailed due to his opinions on violations happening in Bahrain. 

A film honoring Nabeel Rahab was broadcast by the end followed by offering the head of Lulu Center for Human Rights Issa al Ghayib an insignia.