Amnesty cancels visit to Bahrain

Global human rights campaign group Amnesty International has cancelled a fact-finding visit to Bahrain due to governmental restricitions, a spokesperson has said. "Regrettably we have cancelled the fact-finding visit to Bahrain due to start Monday, as the new five day limit imposed by the Bahraini authorities for visits by international human rights organisations is a serious impediment to their ability to do their human rights work," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director. "The Bahraini authorities have repeatedly stated their commitment to undertake human rights reform and to cooperate with international human rights organisations. These new restrictions contradict such commitment." Amnesty International and other NGOs were informed in writing by the Bahraini Ministry of Human Rights and Social Development that their visits would now be limited to five working days excluding Fridays and Saturdays and, in addition, that they would need to be sponsored to obtain a visa. "It is essential for Amnesty International delegates to meet and engage, with no time restrictions, with all relevant parties, including the authorities, civil society organisations and victims of human rights violations. If the Bahraini authorities are truly committed to human rights and co-operation with international NGOs they should do away with these new, unjustified obstacles," said Amnesty. 0n February 29 the UN Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez was informed by the government that his visit to Bahrain scheduled for March 8 had been postponed to July.