British lawmakers slam govt. plan to build military base in Bahrain

Over 30 British lawmakers are opposed to the UK government’s plan to set up a military base in the Persian Gulf monarchy of Bahrain over the regime’s human rights violations.

On Monday, Fabian Hamilton and Glenda Jackson, both from Labour Party signed the motion slamming the government’s decision to establish a permanent military base at Port Mina Salman in Bahrain.

The MPs said the decision will be “upsetting to all those who have suffered human rights abuses by the Bahraini regime."

‘Serious rights violations’

In their early day motion, 34 MPs have warned that the establishment of the UK military base in Bahrain will be seen as London’s lack of interest in justice.

“…This announcement will be deeply upsetting to all those who have suffered human rights abuses by the government of Bahrain and its officials, and will serve to send a message that the UK Government is not interested in justice, rule of law and reconciliation in Bahrain…,” reads the motion.

The lawmakers have also called on the British government to play a much more constructive role in encouraging “substantive political reform” and help end “serious human rights violations” in the Persian Gulf monarchy.

Permanent military base

 Back in December, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announced that Britain will set up a permanent military base in the Middle East for the first time in more than four decades.

The base near Mina Salmon port is expected to host destroyers and aircraft carriers.

The Persian Gulf monarchy used to be a British colony before declaring independence in 1971.

Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s 5th fleet.

‘Supporting torture’

 Saeed Shehabi, a prominent Bahraini opposition figure and rights activist says the British government is well aware of the regime atrocities against the people of Bahrain.

“The British government must support the pro-democracy movement, not dictatorship. Unfortunately, the British government, Mr. Cameron’s Government has decided to support these torturers, these dictators. He is well aware of its nature, he is well aware of what they do to the Bahrainis, and the killings and tortures, the nationality revocation, the political naturalization and so on. However, he is still adamant and insistent on supporting the regime that has become so weak, the London-based activist told Press TV on Tuesday.

International condemnation

 International rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have criticized the Saudi-backed crackdown on pro-democracy protests which has claimed scores of lives in Bahrain.

Despite the popular uprisings, Britain, the US and Saudi Arabia have supported the Al Khalifa regime in the wake of widespread peaceful protests which broke out back in March 2011.

Anti-regime protests rallies are held in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom in defiance of the heavy-handed crackdown.

HA/HH

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