Kerry to Bahrain: Respecting Human Rights Essential

Local Editor

US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Bahraini regime to respect human rights, as the Gulf kingdom continues its brutal crackdown against civilians.

"Here, as in all nations, we believe that respect for human rights and an inclusive political system are essential," Kerry told a joint press conference in Manama with his Bahraini counterpart Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa.

Kerry said he and Khalid "had the chance to discuss the ongoing effort to address and to reduce sectarian divisions here in Bahrain and elsewhere."

"I appreciate the seriousness with which he considers this issue," he said.

"We all welcome steps by sides to create conditions to provide for greater political involvement for the citizens of this great country," he added.

In 2011, the tiny but strategic island state, which is dominated by al-Khalifa ruling family, crushed a civilian uprising calling for a full constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister.

Scores of people were martyred while others were rounded up and sentenced to lengthy jail terms, including opposition chiefs.

Asked about the opposition activist, Zainab al-Khawaja, who was taken into custody with her toddler last month after she was convicted in 2014 for tearing up a poster of King Hamad, Sheikh Khalid said: "This is a humanitarian issue and Zainab al-Khawaja will be released pending her case in the court."

"She is in jail and she chose to keep her child with her," said Sheikh Khalid.

"But of course she will be sent to her home," he said, without specifying when, adding that "the case will continue."

The daughter of prominent rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja was sentenced to three years in prison in December 2014 after being convicted of insulting the king by ripping up a photograph of him.

Al-Khawaja had said she would keep her son, who is reportedly just over one year old, by her side if she was jailed, Amnesty International said in October.

Amnesty urged Bahraini authorities earlier this month to "immediately and unconditionally" release jailed opposition figures.

"The alarming erosion of human rights in Bahrain in recent years means that anyone who dares to criticize the authorities or call for reform risks severe punishment," said Amnesty's regional deputy director James Lynch.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team