23nd session of the
Human Rights Council
Item4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, General Debate
Dr. Nada Dhaif
Thank you Mr. President,
I speak here on behalf of CIVICUS. I am Dr. Nada Dhaif, chairperson of BRAVO, and am here to draw your attention to 3 problems in Bahrain
1. Absence of Medical Neutrality
2. Reprisals against Human Rights Defenders
3. The use of Toxic Chemicals against civilians
Firstly, on the absence of Medical Neutrality: There are still 4 health care workers remaining in prison today and the Bahraini health system is largely under the occupation of the Bahraini Defence Forces.
Secondly, Reprisals against Human rights defenders and their families. During the last session of the HRC in March, I specifically asked that there be protection for Human Rights Defender Ali Fakhrawi.
Mr. Fakhrawi, who is part of the exiled Bahraini diaspora, lives out of a suitcase, en-route to various destinations to speak about his experiences, and of his father who was tortured to death. A month after his participation in a side event during the HRC session, his brother was detained. Others like him continue to live under restrictive conditions, as the case of Nabeel Rajab demonstrates.
Finally, Toxic Chemicals: BRAVO tested samples of the compound used in tear gas canisters which are fired into crowds during demonstrators in Bahrain, and we have evidence that it is not tear gas but rather CS Gas. They are poisoning the protestors. Let me repeat, they are poisoning the population. They fire them into peoples homes.
People demonstrate PEACEFULLY, but their efforts are curbed by a government that employs such tactics as: arbitrary arrest and detention, the use of live ammunition, and the use of chemical and toxic weapons such as CS Gas. Clinical observations show evidence of deaths from suffocation and fatal injuries, coupled with an alarmingly high number of miscarriages and infant mortality.
We call upon the government of Bahrain to refrain from using chemicals and toxic agents. We call upon the government of Bahrain to stop the crackdown on civil society, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Mr President, the Bahraini people carry no weapons. We have nothing but our voices. We hope you can hear us clearly and urge you to take measures to protect the people of Bahrain against state repression. We urge the Counsel to call for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Thank you for your attention