News / Foreign Policy

Islamic NGO urges May to scrap GCC meeting

Tuesday, 29 November 2016 6:23 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 29 November 2016 6:48 AM ]

British Prime Minister Theresa May looks on during a press conference at 10 Downing Street in central London, November 28, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

A UK-based NGO has called on British Prime Minister Theresa May to cancel a meeting with Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab monarchies over their violations of human rights.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) wrote a letter to May on Monday, voicing concern over her upcoming visit to Bahrain, where the ruling Al Khalifah regime has been cracking down on a popular uprising since 2011.

May would travel to Manama early next month to hold talks with leaders of the 6-member organization.

Aside from Bahrain, other GCC members, such as Saudi Arabia, are often condemned for their human rights records.

“Theresa May's decision shows a glaring disregard for human rights and also a dangerous message of approval to the leaders of GCC regimes who continue to perpetrate human rights abuses against their own and other citizens,” the IHRC wrote in the letter.

The group also charged that Bahrain should be held responsible for arresting thousands of protesters and subjecting them to torture.

“To the contrary is business as usual for the regime. Arbitrary detentions of human rights and opposition leaders are continuing with many being regularly arrested for speaking out against the government and tortured in custody,” the IHRC added.

The NGO took a swipe at Saudi Arabia as well, saying the premier’s trip would “furnish” the Riyadh regime despite its ongoing atrocities against the people of Yemen.

Britain's Prince Charles speaks to Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah upon arriving in Manama, Bahrain, November 8, 2016. (Photo by AP)

The Saudis started the invasion in March last year as an attempt to restore power to Yemen’s former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a steadfast Riyadh ally. The war has left at least 11,400 civilians dead, according to a latest tally by a Yemeni monitoring group.

“In its determination to see a puppet-regime across the border a Saudi-led coalition continues to commit atrocities against Yemeni civilians,” the letter read. “It has hit hospitals and schools, destroyed bridges, power stations, poultry farms, a key seaport and factories that produce yogurt, tea, tissues, ceramics, soft drinks and potato chips.”

The IHRC continued by blasting May’s government over its continued support for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The UK has been one of the main providers of weapons and intelligence to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has also received training and intelligence from Britain.

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