[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 619 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 619

 Expressing support for a constructive dialogue on human rights issues 
                 between the United States and Bahrain.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 22, 2008

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for a constructive dialogue on human rights issues 
                 between the United States and Bahrain.

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.
                                 <all>