WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says it will consider a special investigation of human rights abuses in Bahrain before moving ahead with $53 million in arms sales to the violence-wracked country.
In a letter Tuesday to Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, the department said it shared congressional concerns about Bahrain’s actions against protesters.
At least 35 people have died since Bahrain’s Shiite-led majority began protests in February seeking greater rights from the ruling Sunni monarchy in the strategic nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.
The department said it will review the work of a special independent commission tasked with investigating human rights violations. The panel’s work is due Oct. 30.
Wyden and Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern have introduced a resolution blocking the arms sales.
