The European Union and the Kingdom of Bahrain held their 7^th Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels on 31 October 2023. The two sides exchanged information on the latest developments in the EU and in Bahrain and reiterated their mutual commitment to continue an open and constructive dialogue to jointly address the challenges, exchange experience, and best practices with regard to the human rights situation.

The dialogue covered a broad range of topics, such as freedom of expression and association, rule of law, the right to a fair trial, including certain individual cases, and the death penalty.

The EU welcomed the progress made by Bahrain on women’s rights, as well as the ongoing efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, and to counter human trafficking. The European Union  encouraged Bahrain to continue along this path, and to maintain its wider human rights obligations, especially as regards to human rights defenders. The EU also noted the ongoing efforts to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan. Cooperation in multilateral fora was also discussed. The EU encouraged Bahrain to ratify the remaining core international human rights instruments.

The co-chairs agreed to convene the next Human Rights Dialogue in Manama in 2024. Bahrain reiterated its invitation to the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to visit the country.