UK government urged to stop financing torture bodies in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia

UK MPs have called for suspension of secretive multi-million pounds payments to Gulf states. A new report published by All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf finds that the government channeled taxpayer money through secretive government funds to make at least £53.4m of payments to the six Gulf Cooperation Council states between 2016 and 2020. At least £10 million allocated to Gulf states for 2021/2022 financial year. MPs call for suspension of funding pending an independent investigation, stating “the government’s inaction is no longer tenable.” Beneficiaries of UK funding include institutions in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia which whitewashed human rights abuses and potential war crimes, placing the government “at risk of complicity.” The report is backed by 10 MPs from all major parties, including Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley, Andy Slaughter, Brendan O’Hara and Alistair Carmichael. The mainstream media has taken up the story which is seen as evidence of UK complicity in the criminal activities of those dictators especially khalifis of Bahrain. The Financial Times, The Times and the Middle East Monitor have reported on the issue.
One of the immediate cases haunting UK’s stands on Bahrain is the continued denial of medical rights of the prominent democratic leaders. As the health of Hassan Mushaima, 73 deteriorates further, pressure is mounting on Downing Street to order his immediate and unconditional release together with thousands other prisoners. An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been launched this week by MPs calling on Johnson’s government to uphold UK’s human rights values and dissociate from the khalifis who have become most notorious for their human rights crimes. Mr Mushaima’s life hangs in the balance and his death in custody will add fuel to the rising Bahraini sentiments towards the UK for its unwavering support of khalifi dictators.
Sadeq Al Mokhowdar is arbitrarily detained and is serving prison sentences totaling more than 100 years. He was 17 when he was injured by police using shoguns. His youthful body is riddled with tens of shotgun pellets. Instead of detaining those who unlawfully shot and wounded him, this young native Bahraini has been inhumanely persecuted. Another detainee, Yousuf Hussain Yousuf, a young political prisoner is facing mortal dangers after his health reached a state of despair. The prison officials of the notorious Jau prison continues to deny him proper medical consultation. He stopped taking insulin doses because he wants to be seen and investigated by a specialist.
There is now immense pressure on the Tory government to order their khalifi subordinates to release native Bahraini political prisoners. If UK’s remorse over its role in the slavery trade is genuine, it must come out clean from this human rights quagmire, align itself with the human rights world in condemning the khalifi crimes against natives and support the democratic movements in the region especially in Bahrain.
The forced disappearance of a former MP has led to a political and moral crisis for the khalifi dictators. Few days ago Usama Al Tamimi was snatched from his hospital bed by ISIS-style security agents, where he had spent several weeks following a stroke. He has recently hinted that he might have been poisoned by the regime’s agents. Within a short period, those officials removed all medical equipment and took him to unknown destination. His flat was thoroughly searched and water supply was cut off. This fiasco is yet another twist in the regime’s failed policies and it enforces the need for regime change.
Bahrain’s economy contracted 2.11% in the first quarter from a year earlier, hurt by the decline in the non-oil economy as COVID-19 restrictions were in place most of the quarter, government data showed. The non-oil economy contracted 2.97%, with the hotels and restaurants segment declining by 20.44%. The oil sector grew 2.04% in the quarter. Gross domestic product contracted 0.10% from the previous three months, the data showed.
The secret trial of Saudi cleric Sheikh Salman Al Odah which had been scheduled to take place yesterday was postponed once again. For three years he has endured enormous pain and ill-treatment. He has been denied proper and fair trial. The Saudi Attorney General is seeking the death penalty for his peaceful activism and scholarship.
The relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have taken a plunge in recent days and could lead to further fragmentation of the Gulf Cooperation Council and more serious political polarization. Saudi Arabia has amended its rules on imports from other Gulf Cooperation Council countries to exclude goods made in free zones or using Israeli input from preferential tariff concessions, in a bid to challenge the United Arab Emirates’ status as the region’s trade and business hub. The two countries’ national interests have increasingly diverged, such as in their relations with Israel and Turkey. They have also faced off in the last few days about a proposed OPEC+ deal to raise oil output. The ministerial decree published on the Saudi official gazette Umm al-Qura said all goods made in free zones in the region will not be considered locally made.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
7th July 2021 (info@vob.org, www.vob.org)