The Queen is to welcome the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to Windsor Castle today for the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Reports say that Bahrain will have a ‘royal lounge’ at the event, allowing it to host dining events for 200 guests.
The visit comes amid an ongoing crackdown in Bahrain, which has seen repression and violence used against peaceful protesters. The regime has been widely accused of torture. It recently resumed the death penalty after a three year moratorium, executing three dissidents whose confessions have been linked to claims of torture.
Since the crackdown began following the uprising in February 2011, the UK has licensed over £52 million worth of arms to the regime including:
- £27 million worth of ML1 licences (small arms)
- £5.7 million worth of ML3 licences (ammunition)
The UK also provides military training for Bahraini forces. Bahrain is listed by the government as a ‘priority market’ for UK arms exports.
Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade said:
These images will be broadcast all over the world and will be regarded as a sign of the close political and military support between the UK and Bahrain. They will be a slap in the face for those being tortured and abused by the Bahraini authorities.
The regime has an appalling human rights record. The UK should be confronting it over its abuses, not inviting it to prestigious and high profile events. If the government cares for the human rights of Bahraini people then it must end its political and military support and call for real and meaningful reform in Bahrain.
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy, Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said:
After I protested King Hamad’s visits to the UK and the Royal Windsor Horse in particular, his government rendered me stateless and now attempts to blackmail me with the arrest and torture of my family.
That is the truth which the Bahraini government tries to hide behind the veneer of its royal relations with the British crown. The Bahraini states operates with violence and vengeance, and it is deeply unfortunate that the Queen and her horse show are being used to cover up this disastrous rights record.
ENDS
For further information please contact Andrew at media(at)caat·org·uk or call 020 7281 0297 or 07990 673232.
