Bahrain Mirror:  The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its interest in the human rights situation in Bahrain and its wish that Bahrain maintain its commitment to achieving concrete political reform based on respect for the legitimate rights and aspirations of all its citizens.

In its reply to a letter sent by Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Jolie Bishop, said that "in 2014 and 2015, Australia joined statements of human rights situation in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council. In the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain (May 2012). Australia recommended that Bahrain respect the legitimate rights of all its citizens to freedom of assembly and expression, and maintain its commitment to achieving concrete political reform based on respect for the legitimate rights and aspirations of all its citizens."

"The Australian government continues to engage in active dialogue with international experts, including the United Nations special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, in order to foster a better international understanding of the importance of these rights," the minister further stated.

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Jolie Bishop concluded her reply saying that the Australia's embassy in Saudi Arabia is accredited to Bahrain and "it takes appropriate opportunities to make representations about human rights issues."

Arabic Version