Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen:
Transparency International’s Bahrain chapter, the Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS), thanks you for the opportunity to address the Human Rights Council.
Transparency International)(TI), the global anti-corruption movement, recognizes the link between the struggle for integrity and transparency to combat corruption and the struggle for respect of human rights for all people.
BTS believes that the effects of corruption undermine the enjoyment of basic rights , including the social and economic rights of people and sustainable development. Corruption furthers inequality and weakens economic competitiveness, depriving citizens of public resources.
Bahrain has declined steadily in the ranking of countries in the annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Transparency International, from 27th in 2003 to 57th in 2013. Although year-by-year comparisons are only possible starting 2012, the trend is clear.
Since 14 February 2011, when Bahrainis took to the street to demonstrate for their human rights, an end to the effects of corruption on the enjoyment of basic rights has been a prominent element of the reform movement.
Bahrain has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2013, but the authorities continue to face an uphill struggle against corruption and impunity for corruption. Out of court settlements for the case of alleged corruption between Aluminium of Bahrain and ALCOA is just one example. The government’s own National Audit Bureau in its report for 2012 indicated several allegations of corruption.
In October 2012, the government of Bahrain adopted the vast majority of recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review, including those calling for respect for freedom of expression, association, and assembly as well as the recommendations to lift all restrictions on human rights defenders.
When the Bahrain Transparency Society attempts to open discussion about the effects of corruption on Bahrain’s development, however, government agencies sometimes are blocking its efforts. In December 2013 and January 2014, a social club cancelled a scheduled talk about the UN Convention Against Corruption I had prepared to give, and a private citizen received threats via telephone from what appeared government affiliated persons to again prevent me from discussing the Alba-Alcoa case in front of a private audience. In October 2012, the Ministry of Social Development rejected without reasons an application to receive foreign funding to inculcate values of integrity in university students.
Effective anti-corruption work requires respect for human rights. That is one of the 11 principles of Transparency International. I stand here today to seek support from my government in strengthening anti-corruption by fully respecting human rights.
There are some signs of improvement. Some government bodies now interact with the Bahrain Transparency Society, such as the National Audit Bureau, and the recent initiative of the crown-prince to seek dialogue with political opponents.
Yet serious concerns and threats continue. The proposed new NGO law would provide a legal veneer to empty the right of association of all meaning by dissolving or severely restricting existing NGOs, such as the Bahrain Transparency Society.
Despite its apparent wealth, many Bahraini citizens live on very modest means and enjoy only inferior infrastructure in housing, sanitation, transport, education and medical facilities.
BTS works to enhance transparency of public spending and strengthen integrity of public officials. Glitzy towers next to shanty towns require this kind of scrutiny. BTS and our fellow activitsts in the human rights, development, anti-corruption and media seek your support to strengthen respect and protection of human rights in Bahrain.
Thank you