BAHRAIN (No. 2)

Motion Text

That this House notes that 26th August 2000 is the 25th anniversary of the dismissal of Bahrain's Parliament and the suspension of its constitution; recognises the importance of 26th August 1975 in the history of the people of Bahrain in their struggle for democracy and the rule of law; is gravely concerned that, 25 years on, Bahrain's Parliament and constitution remain suspended; supports the people of Bahrain who are calling for the restoration of their constitution and democratically-elected assembly; is also concerned at the continuing human rights violations in Bahrain as documented in the Annual Report of Amnesty International; particularly deplores the arrest of minors and women, the systematic torture and general ill-treatment of detainees, the forcible exile of Bahraini citizens, and the unfair trials conducted by the State Security Court; regrets the Bahraini Government's refusal to enter into dialogue with the members of the Committee for Popular Petition for the restoration of Bahrain's Parliament and constitution; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to urge the Bahrain Government to enter into dialogue with the members of the Committee, to put an end to all human rights violations in Bahrain, and to allow freedom of expression, of press, of association and freedom of assembly.