Foreign Ministry, NGOs stress importance of strengthening community partnership

Manama, May 8 (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized the fifth consultative meeting via video conference with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) concerned with human rights. The meeting was chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari who emphasized the role of NGOs in the development and promotion of human rights in Bahrain. He pointed out the importance of strengthening the community partnership and cohesion of the efforts of all partners and stakeholders in discussing all topics and expressing opinions and constructive suggestions to develop laws, systems and mechanisms that protect rights and freedoms in order to contribute to the progress, growth and prosperity of the country and its people. He noted the high respect accorded to human rights by the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who established a modern system of laws and advanced and effective executive and judicial procedures emanating from the National Action Charter in accordance with relevant international standards. The assistant minister affirmed the ministry’s keenness and interest in increasing cooperation and coordination with the relevant ministries, governmental bodies and relevant institutions and non-governmental organizations. The meeting focused on the most important achievements and developments in promoting human rights such as legislation and laws as it reviewed several topics and issues that included the restorative justice for children and their protection from abuse, the new press law and other relevant laws. Al Dossari also reviewed the draft report of Bahrain’s efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights, in the framework of combating the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) along with the national efforts made by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The meeting also discussed Bahrain’s first project law on the Optional Protocol on non-participation of children in armed conflicts, prostitution, use of children in pornography material, which was planned to be submitted to the United Nations. Representatives of NGOs presented their views and observations along ideas and proposals that contribute to developing partnership and cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil society associations at the national and international levels. Al Dossari affirmed that Bahrain is proceeding with a steady pace in its democratic, human rights and development progress and achievements within the framework of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, respecting the independence and integrity of the judiciary, enhancing the powers of independent human rights institutions, and encouraging the participation of civil society institutions in preserving the modern civil state’s values, progress and prosperity at all national and international levels.