Contents

1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action required
4. Sample letter
5. Addresses for sample letter

1. Summary

IHRC has obtained leaked documents which reveal that Bahrain is seeking to gain a seat on the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council. The leaks indicate that Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and even some human rights organisations within Bahrain are to support their application.

IHRC requests its campaigners and supporters to write letters and emails to the High Commissioner or ambassador of Pakistan to their country; and the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Demand that they immediately retract their support for Bahrain’s entry to the Human Rights Council.

2. Background

IHRC has obtained leaked documents which reveal that Bahrain is seeking to gain a seat on the advisory committee at the UN Human Rights Council. The leaks indicate that Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and even some human rights organisations within Bahrain are to support their application.

The al-Khalifahs intend to use their seat on the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council to conceal their own human rights violations, and their continued suppression of dissent and basic freedoms.

The regime in Bahrain has an appalling human rights record, dating back to well before the Islamic Awakening in Bahrain in 2011. It has attempted to stir sectarianism by demolishing Mosques and terrorising spiritual leaders – actions which threaten the unity of Muslims as well as degrade human rights.  In light of this, the support of Bahrain’s application by Pakistan (a country claiming to be governed by Islamic principles) and the OIC (an organisation claiming to protect the wellbeing of Muslims) is particularly shameful.

Bahrain’s attempt to present itself as a suitable candidate to advise on issues of human rights at the UN does not only make a mockery of the Human Rights Council. It also reflects its own cynical nature as it attempts to cover up its human rights violations, and engender support from within international organisations and among certain states. By supporting Bahrain’s application, Pakistan and the OIC are sending a message that they support the human rights abuses in the Bahrain – thus placing them on the side of tyranny.

3. Action Required

IHRC requests its campaigners and supporters to write letters and emails to the High Commissioner or ambassador of Pakistan to their country; and the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).  Demand that they act to ensure that Bahrain is not given a seat on the advisory committee.

4. Sample letters
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Sample letters are given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is very important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters.
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a) High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Mr Wajid Hasan.

Mr Wajid Hasan,
High Commission for Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
34 – 36 Lowndes Square,
London,
SW1X 9JN,
UNITED KINGDOM

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
Dear Mr Wajid Hasan,

Re: Leaked documents indicating Pakistani support for Bahrain’s application to UN human rights body.

IHRC has obtained leaked documents which reveal that Bahrain is seeking to gain a seat on the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council. These documents indicate that their application is set to be supported shamefully by the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The al-Khalifahs intend to use their seat on the Human Rights Advisory Council to conceal their own human rights violations, and their continued suppression of dissent and basic freedoms.

The regime in Bahrain has appalling human rights record, dating back to well before the uprising of 2011. Whilst foreign advisors consulting the Bahraini regime in methods of repression have come and gone, there has thus been continuity in the brutality dealt out for decades to ordinary Bahrainis wanting a more just society.

I am outraged that the government of Pakistan would support the entry of Bahrain to the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council. The al-Khalifah regime has repeatedly trounced the human rights of innocent Muslims, demolished Mosques and burnt holy books in an effort to terrorise the civilian population. Yet the leaked documents indicate that the government of Pakistan wishes to turn a blind eye to these crimes in return for political gain.

The government of Pakistan must immediately retract all support for Bahrain’s bid of entry. Pakistan’s support of Bahrain’s entry makes a mockery not only of human rights, but also basic Islamic values prohibiting the support of tyranny and injustice. Pakistan cannot side with tyrants in the face of oppression.

I look forward to you reply.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

b) Secretary General the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Mr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu,
P.O.Box 178,
Jeddah 21411,
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

[Your name]
[Your address]

[Date]

Dear Mr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu,

Re: Leaked documents indicating OIC support for Bahrain’s application to UN human rights body.

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

IHRC has obtained leaked documents which reveal that Bahrain is seeking to gain a seat on the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council. These documents indicate that their application is set to be supported shamefully by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The al-Khalifahs intend to use their seat on the Human Rights Advisory Council to conceal their own human rights violations, and their continued suppression of dissent and basic freedoms.

The regime in Bahrain has appalling human rights record, dating back to well before the uprising of 2011. It has attempted to stir sectarianism by demolishing Mosques and terrorising spiritual leaders – actions which threaten the unity of Muslims as well as degrade human rights. 

I am outraged that the OIC would support the entry of Bahrain to the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council. The al-Khalifah regime has repeatedly trounced the human rights of innocent Muslims in its efforts to maintain power. Yet the leaked plainly show that the OIC wishes to turn a blind eye to these crimes in return for political gain.

The OIC must immediately retract all support for Bahrain’s bid of entry if it is to claim to protect the interests of the Muslim world. The OIC’s support of Bahrain’s entry makes a mockery not only of human rights, but also basic Islamic values prohibiting the support of tyranny and injustice.

I look forward to you reply.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your name]
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5. Addresses for sample letters

a) Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States of America.

US campaigners can write to:

Her Excellency Ambassador Sherry Rehman,
Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C,
3517 International Court NW,
Washington, DC 20008.

b) High Commissioner for Pakistan in Canada.

Canadian campaigners can write to:

His Excellency Mian Gul Akbar Zeb,
High Commission for Pakistan,
10 Range Road,
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1N 8J3.

c) Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesian campaigners can write to:

His Excellency Mr Sanaullah,
Embassy of Pakistan,
Jl. DR. Ide. Anak Agung Gde Agung,
Mega Kuningan Barat Block E.3.9 Kav. 5-8,
Jakarta Selatan 12950

d) High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia.

Malaysian campaigners can write to:

His Excellency Mr Masood Khalid,
High Commission for Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
132 Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
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Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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