The Government of Bahrain said that it would continue open door policy for all human rights organizations, including the Physicians for Human Rights, and has consistently extended invitations to interested organizations to meet with Government officials as well as other stakeholders, in addition to accepting numerous similar requests.
Responding to Physicians for Human Rights request, a government spokesperson said that an invitation was not an opportunity for imposition.
On 4 January, Richard Sollom of the Physicians for Human Rights wrote to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Rights informing them that he wished to visit Bahrain between 8th to 15th January.
He requested a meeting with the Minister, without a detailed agenda, to discuss the human rights situation in Bahrain.
As the Government has always welcomed genuine conversation and supported independent fact-finding missions, the Ministry was receptive to Sollom’s request; but given the short notice and the fact that all Government officials are under tremendous work pressure to meet our self-imposed deadline of the end of February to complete the crucial work of implementing all the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), in their entirety, the Ministry wrote Sollom (on January 05) requesting that he schedule his visit after the end February so his visit would be more beneficial and constructive.
Sollom ignored this request and without further notice presented himself at Bahrain International Airport on January 08, in a discourteous and ill-advised move. As in any country, there is no automatic right to physical admission and immigration officials maintain their discretion in admitting persons, and have not denied entry to anyone who visits for reasons deemed valid by authorities. As is the case in the United States, Western Europe and indeed the rest of the world, no one is above this law in Bahrain.
Sollom was courteously informed that he may return to Bahrain at the end of February, as invited, and he would be received by Government officials and be free to meet anyone he wished.