Members of Congress Oppose U.S. Military Sale to Bahrain

Twenty-four members of Congress co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to “express our opposition to the Adminstration’s decision to move forward with the sale of a limited number of military items and services to Bahrain.” The members “believe that any such sale at this time sends the wrong signal to Bahrain and the world about America’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.”

The letter pointed out that “Bahraini government has taken some positive steps with respect to human rights in recent months. However, it has not done enough to justify the sale of any military items,” moreover the letter added that “a brief survey of reports from reliable sources makes clear that Bahraini government continues to perpetrate significant human rights violations.”

Additionally, the letter emphases that the Congressmen” are deeply concerned that the Government of Bahrain is trying to shield itself from scrutiny,” and recalled that “in the last three weeks alone, Bahrain has denied entry to prominent independent human rights monitors, including Brian Dooley of Human Rights First and Richard Sollom of Physicians for Human Rights.” The Members of Congress concluded that they will not change their position “until there is more substantive permanent progress on human rights.”

The letter was signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Harkin (D-IO), Sherrod Campbell Brown (D-OI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Michael Honda (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jim Moran (D-VA), Rush D.Holt (D-NJ), Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Jim McDermott (D – WA), John W. Olver (D-MA), Pete Stark (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL) , James P. Moran (D-NV), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI).

The full text of the letter is after the break below, and available in PDF.

February 2, 2012

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

U.S.Department of State

Washington,DC 20520

Dear Secretary Clinton:

We are writing to express our opposition to the Administration’s decision to move forward with the sale of some military items and services to Bahrain. We believe that any such sale at this time sends the wrong signal to Bahrain and to the world about America’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

We recognize the limited nature of the sales, and we acknowledge that the Bahraini government has taken some positive steps with respect to human rights in recent months. However, it has not done enough to justify the sale of any military items or services to Bahrain. Moreover, if the Administration wishes to reward the Bahraini Government for any progress, there are other methods that do not involve strengthening the Bahraini military or security forces.

Tragically, even a brief survey of reports from reliable sources makes clear that the Bahraini government continues to perpetrate significant human rights violations. For example, at least 10 people have died as a result of violence perpetrated by the government – including two from teargas exposure – since the release of the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November. The government also continues to use excessive force to suppress protests.

In addition, the Bahraini government continues to carry out politically motivated prosecutions of medical professionals who provided emergency medical treatment to protesters. In fact, it is noteworthy that the Bahraini Government has pursued prosecutions against protesters far more aggressively than it has pursued prosecutions against senior government officials or security forces who have been responsible for grave abuses over the past year.

We are deeply concerned that the Government of Bahrain is trying to shield itself from scrutiny. In the last three weeks alone, Bahrain has denied entry to prominent independent human rights monitors, including Brian Dooley of Human Rights First and Richard Sollom of Physicians for Human Rights. These denials came after Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa indicated in October that Bahrain would not deny to representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In light of this reality, we continue to oppose the sale of all military items and services to Bahrain until there is more substantive and permanent progress on human rights. We believe that our position not only support human rights in Bahrain, but is also truly in the long-term interests of the United-States.

Sincerely,

Ron Wyden Barbara Boxer

United States Senator United States Senator

Jeff Merkley Keith Ellison

United States Senator Member of Congress

Lynn Woolsey Michael Honda