Foreign Ministry: inmates receive social and healthcare according to international standards

Manama, Aug.2 (BNA): Chief of Human Rights Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Arwa Hasan Alsayed underscored that inmates who were sentenced for various reasons, receive all adequate social and healthcare with safety standards and precautionary measures. She added that the General Directorate for Reformation and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Interior is keen to implement these precautionary measures in accordance with the international standards. Dr. Arwa Alsayed made the statement in response to what is being circulated by those interested in human rights, whether human rights organizations or experts and specialists, about the conditions of reform and rehabilitation of inmates in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She added that some of the inmates are those who betrayed the country and committed crimes of violence, terrorism, incitement, and harm to society. She noted that these crimes, which affected the security and unity of the country, were met with resentment and clear popular rejection by citizens. She added that the prison sentences in this regard were issued after fair trials which they were subjected to and have exhausted the stages of proceedings, granted them personal safety, and simultaneously secured their lives. She pointed out that the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain has adopted several holistic policies and initiatives aimed at fostering patriotism that can evidently be seen in Bahraini citizens, which was reflected in the national response to combat Covid-19 and is now considered part of a national success story. She added that it is also a platform for volunteering and working at the first lines to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, all of which show the bright side for national action whereby all parts of society come together to ensure the health and safety of the society. The Chief of Human Rights Affairs noted that reformation and rehabilitation centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain were able, during the recent period, to advance their mission beyond law enforcement and to be punitive institutions, in order to strengthen the reformative and rehabilitative aspect of inmates, in a way that contributes to promoting the values of patriotism as well as preserving human dignity. She added that these centers will remain committed to their role in maintaining the safety of inmates and continue this approach in order to protect national gains. She stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a pioneer in the field of promoting human rights through its approach and initiatives that aim at strengthening the rule of law and institutions as well as to consolidate human rights principles, all of which enabled it to achieve advanced ranks in this field, noting that Bahrain's successful experience in combating human trafficking makes it a global model.