The second day of the 35th session of the Human Rights Council took place on Wednesday 8 of June 2017 at the United Nations in Geneva. The Council followed up with a debate in regard to the oral update by the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights worldwide and on the activities of his office.

Member states and observers took the floor to address the situation of human rights worldwide. European countries raised concerns on the need to protect civil society, which role has been dramatically shrinking, especially in the Gulf States. Canada and Brazil stated that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights must prevent human rights violations and conflicts from happening as well as use all tools available to do so. Sweden and Latvia urged all countries to invite special procedures so that they can conduct a thorough investigations on matters of concern. Bahrain for instance, has been refusing visits for the last five years and has several pending visit requests. The United States of America reiterated its deep concern about Yemen and the deterioration of the human rights’ situation.

The USA called all sides to take all possible measures to protect civilians, allow access to humanitarian organizations and urgently look for a peaceful resolution to the conflict respecting the human rights of all Yemenis. However, they omitted to mention the $350 billion arms sales deal with Saudi Arabia, supporting the genocide in Yemen and contributing to their barbaric crimes. Saudi Arabia took the floor as well, mentioning civilisation as each country’s fundamental responsibility. On the other hand, they have been on an executing stroll, carrying at least 154 executions in 2016.

ICSFT participated during the debate and raised concerns on the degrading humanitarian situation in Yemen, caused by the Saudi-led invasion. ICSFT is deeply concerned by the international community’s inaction. Saudi Arabia continues its abuses, killings and destructions enjoying full impunity. In Saudi Arabia, historic buildings have been burned down and damaged by the use of weapons by the military, forcing residents out of their homes and of the neighborhood. These destructions erase the traces of this historic and lived cultural heritage and are clear violations of Saudi Arabia’s obligations under international human rights law.

The Saudi government is not only violating the rights of minorities but obviously women’s rights as well. Dina Ali Lasloom, a young Saudi woman living in Kuwait, has been forcibly repatriated by her uncles to Saudi Arabia while she was escaping to Australia to ask asylum by the Philippines and avoid a forced marriage. The Saudi embassy in Manila facilitated her forced repatriation. At the airport in Riyadh, she has been detained by security forces. A medical student that was waiting for her disappeared from the kingdom as well. Saudi Arabia has the worst record when it comes to the rights of women. The guardianship system prevents them from taking the most basic decisions on their own. Women cannot drive in Saudi Arabia, they cannot get married nor leave the country unless a male guardian gives approval. How is it possible then, that Saudi Arabia was elected to the Commission on the Status of Women and is a member of the Human Rights Council?

The Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on peaceful assembly and association, Ms Annalisa Ciampi, and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education followed in the afternoon. Ms Annalisa Ciampi addressed the council urging states to stop taking measures that are restricting civil society and assured the impartiality of her work. She reminded that the rights to peaceful assembly and association are at the core of every functioning and lasting democratic system.

ICSFT took the floor to address the troubling situation of freedom of assembly and association in Bahrain, with a particular regard on the government’s recent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Duraz, where 5 were killed and almost 300 arrested during a peaceful sit-in in front of Sheikh Qassim’s house on May 23rd. The respect of human rights for everyone in Bahrain remains critical for peacebuilding. Strengthening Bahrain’s long-term stability and security is critical for the survival of human rights. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries set strict limits and prevent citizens from exercising their fundamental rights.

ICSFT condemns in the strongest terms the crimes perpetrated by the governments of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and urges these countries to end reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society and allow citizens to exercise their fundamental rights. ICSFT also deplores Saudi’s genocide in Yemen and the total disregard for the rights of women.

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