BHRS Supports the Visit of Rapporteur on Torture

On 4 March 2012, the Bahrain Human Rights Society called upon the Government to allow the UN Rapporteur on torture to enter Bahrain and perform his assigned task. This includes facilitating his meetings with officials, political and civil society organizations and victims and their families, in order to enable him to provide constructive recommendations for developing Bahrain’s human rights record. The BHRS also reminded the Government of its international commitments, as stated in the Universal Periodic Review and presented to the Human Rights Council. This includes permitting visits from all UN rapporteurs, international human rights organizations, human rights activists and journalists.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez was expected to visit Bahrain from the 8-14 March. However, the Government requested that this visit should be delayed without allocating a new time frame. The BHRS also called upon the Government to adhere to its commitments and the international agreements it has signed, including the UN Convention against Torture, whilst ensuring regular presentation of its reports to the relevant international bodies.