Dubai: Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has considered Tom Malinowski, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, as a persona non grata and said that he must leave the Kingdom immediately.
The ministry attributed its decision to Malinowski’s interference in the domestic affairs of Bahrain and to holding meetings with only one side of the country’s components, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported on Monday evening.
It said he intervened in the country’s domestic affairs by holding meetings with some groups at the expense of others.
The statement said that such meetings “segregate” the people of the nation. His actions, added the statement, “run counter to conventional diplomatic norms.”
Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
According to the ministry, the US official attitude indicated a discriminatory approach towards the citizens of the nation and clashes with diplomatic norms and natural relations between states.
The ministry added that its decision was based on a recommendation by the bicameral parliament taken at an extraordinary session held in July 2013.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain emphasises its close and robust relations with the United States and stresses the need that they are not affected by such negative issues that may mar their integrity and development in various fields,” the ministry said.
Malinowski was ordered to leave after meeting with Bahrain’s Shiite opposition group, Al Wefaq. He arrived in the country on Sunday and was scheduled to stay for three days, but his visit was cut short by the abrupt order to depart a day early.
He also had meetings scheduled with government officials, as well as leading human rights activist Nabeel Rajab who was released from prison late May after serving two years for taking part in illegal protests. Rajab told The Associated Press he did not meet Malinowski.
Two US officials in Washington confirmed that Malinowski has been ordered to leave but is still there while the logistics of his departure are worked out. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.
- With inputs from AP
