Hank Johnson: “Today I rise in solidarity with the people of Bahrain as they mark the third anniversary of the February 2011 popular…”

“Today I rise in solidarity with the people of Bahrain as they mark the third anniversary of the February 2011 popular protest. More than 200,000 people took to the streets to demand basic human rights and government protection. Sadly, this anniversary will not be one of celebration. Rather than seeing a move toward reform, systematic human rights abuses and restrictions continue, and freedom of association and expression have been curtailed drastically. Human rights defenders are jailed for life for peacefully calling for reform, while police officers convicted of torturing a prisoner to death are allowed to walk free. As home to the 5th Fleet and thousands of U.S. servicemembers, the U.S. has an obligation to call on the government of Bahrain to enact meaningful reforms and adhere to its international human rights commitments. In the midst of increasing instability, it is time for the U.S. to hold its ally accountable and consider a contingency plan for a removal of the 5th Fleet. ____________________”