U.S. Delays Bahrain Arms Sale Ahead of Report

The Obama administration said they will not proceed with the arms sale to Bahrain until they review an investigation regarding the monarchy’s human rights violations and implementing reforms. In a letter to senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the State Department shared Congress’s concern about the Bahraini government’s treatment of protesters and lack of reforms, and will await the results of the review from a comission established by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa before moving forward with the arms sale. David Adams noted in the letter that ”the department will review the commission’s findings carefully and assess the government of Bahrain’s efforts to implement the recommendations and make needed reforms,” and discuss the findings with Congress before taking further steps in the arms sale.

State Department spokesperson Mark Toner noted the commission’s findings would be “something we would look at closely,” as the special commission is due by October 30th. Toner added “We’re going to continue to take human rights considerations into account as we move toward the finalization of this deal,” and stressed that the sale is for ”external defence purposes.”

The arms sale was criticized by many human rights groups and lawmakers and called the sale “hypocritical” after President Barack Obama called for democratic reforms earlier in the year. Robert Naiman argues that the U.S. uses the presence of the 5th fleet in Bahrain as a reason to “protect American interests” in Bahrain, yet is not a reason to remain silent.