Forum highlights HM King’s humanitarian achievements, compassionate care

Manama, Oct. 31 (BNA): Panelists in the fourth forum “The King, the Humane Leader” have stressed that Bahrain has succeeded in consolidating its status as an outstanding model in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest health challenges facing the world. They also highlighted the great shift achieved in many legislations, particularly the Restorative Justice Law and the Alternative Penal Code, saying they reflected the developmental and legislative vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to achieve the comprehensive development process. The forum, attended by government officials, dignitaries and experts in various fields, touched on development across several sectors in the Kingdom, especially youth and health, and stressed that health and social security are the cornerstone of the process of modernization and development. Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, Secretary-General of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation, emphasized Bahrain’s strategy in caring for orphans and supporting them to be active members of society and serving the nation. He affirmed the progress of the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in promoting humanitarian work and shaping its future, in addition to the great interest in education. Work is under way to include the principles of humanitarian work in a special book that will be taught in both Bahrain and Egypt, with a focus on dialogue and understanding, finding solutions, keenness on good deeds and spreading a culture of action for humanity, he said. Al Sayyid said that HM the King’s vision for humanitarian action means that it should reach people in need everywhere and without any form of discrimination or prejudice. Humanitarian action by Bahrain has always been proactive and it has won respect and appreciation around the world, he added. The beginning was providing care for the orphans, and then the action was widened to include widows. Later, the scope was expanded to include humanitarian and social aid, then foreign aid, and thereafter leading to humanitarian work abroad, including allocation 8 million to Gaza that HM the King increased later to 21 millionAl Sayyid said. There are many other wonderful stories of how Bahrain has been proactive in providing humanitarian assistance to people who needed them both in the Kingdom and abroad, he said. Malallah Jaffar Al Hammadi, Head of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) Committee on Visiting Detention Places and Facilities, said that the directive of HM King Hamad regarding the inclusiveness and comprehensiveness of health care for all citizens and residents, reflects commendable fatherly care. HM the King’s directives reflect the status of Bahrain as a country of equality and human rights without discrimination, he said. Touching on the Alternative Penal Code and the Restorative Justice Law, Al Hammadi said that the two new laws consolidate the concepts of human rights. The laws highlight the Kingdom’s advanced position in this aspect since while the world is showing interest in raising this issue, Bahrain has come out as a forward-looking model in its humanitarian legislation, he said. Al Hammadi said the laws are very advanced and include alternative provisions and measures that enhance human rights based on a different humanitarian legal philosophy. More than 3,000 people have benefitted from the alternative penalties, he said. THE NIHR activist stressed the significance of raising the criminal responsibility age to 18, involving children in national rehabilitation and educational programs and subjecting them to measures aimed at reforming their conduct and reintegrating them into their families and society. He also referred to the establishment of a special prosecution and justice courts for children and commended the existence of advanced legal guarantees for children that are in line with international conventions.