Irish Foreign Minister criticises discrimination against Shis, use of death penalty in Bahrain

Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin expressed his country’s concerns about human rights situation in Bahrain, represented by the ongoing discrimination against the Shia majority, and the use of death penalty.

In a statement, Martin said that “there are long-standing concerns about human rights in Bahrain, including freedom of expression, the treatment of human rights defenders, conditions of detention, discrimination against the Shia majority, and the use of the death penalty.”

He added that “we have raised our concerns about human rights in ministerial and diplomatic communications with Bahrain, particularly in the United Nations Human Rights Council,” calling on Bahrain to “maintain its commitments on women’s rights and the fight against human trafficking.”

He also confirmed that “the Irish Foreign Ministry will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain and call on the Bahraini government to fulfill its stated commitment to make progress on human rights.” He said: “We will do this directly with Bahraini officials, as well as at the level of the European Union and the international level, whenever the opportunity allows.”