Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med) today condemned the execution of three individuals by the
Bahraini Government. The organisation said that the incident amounted to a crime against humanity and an indicator of
the precarious human rights situation in the Gulf state..
Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Melli, 24, both Bahraini nationals, were arrested separately by the security forces on
February 9, 2017. They were convicted by a court of terrorist offenses before being sentenced them to death on January
31, 2018.
The rights organization confirmed that both were subjected to severe torture during the investigation by the Bahraini
authorities, who also committed serious violations of human rights and due process norms.
According to the information received by Euro-Med, the Court of Cassation upheld the death sentence on May 6 under
Bahraini law, before passing the final decision on to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
On May 30, 13 international human rights groups wrote a joint letter to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa regarding the
al-Arab and al-Malali cases. The groups expressed concern about the passing of both death sentences given that their
confessions were extracted under torture and that their right to a fair trial was violated. Under Bahraini law, the King
has the ultimate authority in capital punishment cases.
The third execution carried out in Bahrain today targeted a mosque muezzin after he was convicted of a criminal case.
The Euro-Med pointed out that various international agreements collectively affirm the human right to life and the need
to stop the implementation of the death penalty, such as Article VI of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights. The 1984 Abolition of Torture Convention also bans inhumane behavior, torture and the death penalty against
prisoners and others accused of criminal activity.
"The human rights situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain has experienced a rapid and dangerous decline for years. The
Bahraini authorities are blatantly violating media and human rights activists' rights under the pretext of opposing the
King and the regime," said Mohamed Emad, legal researcher at Euro-Med.
Emad said that the violations included the closure of human rights and media institutions and the sectarian-motivation
arrests. In addition, new laws have been passed granting security forces wider investigatory and punitive powers. Those
arrested have not been permitted to meet their lawyers, nor are they permitted to defend themselves, despite both being
guaranteed by international law and the Bahraini constitution.
Emad pointed out Euro-Med had recorded a number of human rights violations in Bahrain, particularly since the domestic
reform movement began in 2011. These violations include the torture and inhumane treatment of detainees. However,
executing dissidents is an alarming escalation. In 2017 alone, three citizens were executed on charges of terrorism.
"The Bahraini authorities' execution of three citizens today is a grave indicator of violating the basic human rights
guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,"
Emad stressed.
Euro-Med criticised the silence of the United Nations and the European Union regarding Bahrain's flagrant violations of
the rights of its citizens. Euro-Med also called for the formation of a special UN commission to monitor the human
rights situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain in general.
ends