Amnesty International has expressed “grave concerns” over a campaign of suppression by Bahrain’s ruling Al Khalifah regime against political dissidents and pro-democracy activists in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom.
“Over the past two years, the crackdown in Bahrain has seen the political opposition detained, intimidated and silenced,” Devin Kenney, the rights group’s Bahrain researcher, said in a statement on Friday.
“We call on the authorities to stop this ongoing and escalating repression and to allow free expression of dissenting voices, including those who oppose the monarchy.
“Bahrain’s international partners and allies cannot remain silent, and must use their influence to pressure the Bahraini authorities to adhere to the international standards they have committed to,” Kenney said.
The remarks came a day ahead of parliamentary elections in Bahrain.
On Thursday, opposition political parties al-Wefaq National Islamic Society and the Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy called for a campaign of civil disobedience in the run-up to the legislative polls.
The parties, in a joint statement, said Bahraini people are “able to change the equation through [their] steadfastness.”
“With your rejection and resistance, you will bring about the failure of these mock elections,” the statement reads.
The opposition parties also praised the stances of Western lawmakers and rights groups vis-à-vis the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Bahrain, and their dismissal of the vote’s validity.
Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since a popular uprising began in the country in mid-February 2011.
They are demanding that the Al Khalifah regime relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.
Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.
Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the Al Khalifah regime’s crackdown.
On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial of civilians at military tribunals in a measure blasted by human rights campaigners as being tantamount to imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide.
Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah ratified the constitutional amendment on April 3 last year.
