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DPA
AMMAN
BAHRAIN has failed to create conditions for fair and free elections, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday, urging the Gulf kingdom's Western allies to pressure it to release jailed activists and reform laws undermining political freedom.
Bahrainis will vote in parliamentary and municipal elections on November 24, the second polls to be held since pro-reform protests erupted in the Gulf monarchy in 2011.
The 2014 polls were blighted by sluggish voter showing after an opposition boycott.
HRW said this month's elections are taking place"in a repressive political environment that is not conducive to free elections" and urged Bahrain's allies, including Britain and US, to stop future arms sales.
"Bahrain's allies should not give Bahrain a free pass and conduct business as usual while mass rights abuses persist," said Lama Fakih, HRW's deputy Middle East director.
"By jailing or silencing people who challenge the ruling family and banning all opposition parties and independent news outlets, Bahrain is failing to create the conditions necessary for a free election," said Fakih.
The group also urged Bahrain to repeal a contested bill on political rights.
Amendments passed in June affect thousands who boycotted the 2014 polls.
