Foreign Minister affirms Bahrain’s unwavering efforts to attain more human rights achievements, initiatives

Geneva, Feb. 26 (BNA): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, has affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's commitment to continuing its efforts to attain many pioneering achievements and initiatives to protect and promote human rights at all levels, within the framework of an effective partnership between its official governmental institutions and civil society, and in constructive cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on basis of transparency, openness and objectivity. This came in the speech of the Kingdom of Bahrain, delivered today by the Minister of Foreign Affairs before the high-level conference of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, with the participation of the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdulla bin Faisal bin Jabur Al Doseri, the Ambassador of the permanent mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Office and other international organizations, Dr. Yusuf AbdulKarim Bucheeri, and the delegation accompanying the Minister. In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his pride that the first year of the membership of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Human Rights Council coincides with the continuous momentum of the Kingdom's achievements in many areas of human rights, as these achievements are based on constitutional and legislative foundations that reflect the respect of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its international obligations to protect human rights, it is embodied in initiatives and policies that are implemented from the perspective of the comprehensive vision of respecting political, civil, economic, social and cultural human rights, and achieving security, welfare and development for all, which was affirmed by the National Action Charter that was approved in February 2001. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain's pride in its consistent stances and policies that are committed to the principles and goals of the United Nations in the field of human rights protection, which are represented in the pioneering civilizational initiatives adopted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, noting in this regard the courageous initiative adopted by His Majesty in July 2011 when he commissioned an international legal fact-finding committee on the events in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was chaired by an internationally respected legal personality, Professor Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, and including prominent international jurists known for their integrity and professionalism as members. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stated that it is an affirmation by His Majesty the King to implement the principles of transparency and justice, as he granted the committee, by royal order, full access to government entities, officials and documents, in addition to meet with those seen fit according to the requirements of the legal procedures. In addition, His Majesty the King attended the session devoted to announcing the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, without being aware of the findings and recommendations of the report alongside His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister,. The Minister of Foreign Affairs added that the committee presented its report and recommendations in an official meeting in which more than 600 local, regional and international personalities participated and in the presence of the international media, noting that His Majesty the King announced without hesitation and with full confidence that the Kingdom of Bahrain accepted all the committee’s recommendations and issued his high orders to implement them. He also mentioned that this courageous initiative by His Majesty the King is unique and an international precedent that has not occurred in the history of criminal justice, which shows clear evidence of His Majesty's absolute faith in protecting human rights, and his sincere desire to lay the foundations of justice and law in additon to strengthen the foundations of national unity and social peace, stressing that the achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this field came in line with the Siracusa Principles, which have become global principles according to the approved international standards. He also stressed the keenness of His Majesty the King to direct the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain to intensify work to protect human rights through active and effective institutions in this field, which are subject to accountability by the representatives of the people, in addition to licensing many specialized non-governmental associations in the field of caring and protecting human rights. The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed to the importance of the initiatives launched by His Majesty the King, including the issuance of the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence between people of various religious, ethnic and cultural affiliations, The establishment of The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, which highlights the system of values and universal principles among civilizations and cultures, indicating the approval of the Bahraini government of the alternative penal law, which its approval and implementation constituted a qualitative shift in reform and rehabilitation, as it came in line with modern criminal policies in the field of protection and promotion of human rights, and a true mechanism for rehabilitating and engaging an individual in his or her normal life and social surroundings. The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Kingdom of Bahrain deals with issues related to human rights with confidence and assurance, and that all measures taken by the Kingdom are correct and developed which are in line with international laws and agreements, and satisfies the desire of the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain and not the desire of external entities, adding that the Kingdom of Bahrain is fully prepared to listen and adopt any constructive ideas, advice, or positive visions that enrich our efforts and good endeavors to implement and legislate all that is beneficial to the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.