[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 619--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE 
      ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BAHRAIN

  Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mr. Coleman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 619

       Whereas Bahrain is a friend of the United States and a 
     critical partner in the war on terrorism, as demonstrated by 
     Bahrain's designation as a major ally outside of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization, the completion of the United 
     States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement in 2006, and the 
     continued presence of United States forces in Bahrain;
       Whereas the strategic relationship between the United 
     States and Bahrain should not prevent the United States from 
     speaking honestly to the Government of Bahrain about concerns 
     regarding human rights issues in a mutually respectful 
     dialogue; and
       Whereas numerous reports, including the Department of 
     State's 2007 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in 
     Bahrain, detail potential shortcomings by the Government of 
     Bahrain in the areas of human rights and democracy, 
     including--
       (1) the use of torture and undue force against political 
     activists;
       (2) systematic discrimination by the Sunni government 
     against the Shi'a majority, including forbidding Shi'a from 
     joining the military and discriminating against Shi'a in 
     public sector employment;
       (3) the denial, in practice, of the right to a fair trial; 
     and
       (4) gerrymandering of political districts in order to 
     support favored candidates: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports a constructive dialogue on human rights issues 
     as an integral part of the bilateral agenda between the 
     United States and Bahrain;
       (2) expresses support for efforts to promote human rights, 
     democracy, and the rule of law in Bahrain; and
       (3) calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to 
     aid in those efforts.

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