NIHR hails GCC efforts to promote human rights

Manama, Dec. 4 (BNA): The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) hailed Bahrain's hosting of the 37th GCC Summit to continue the march of joint work laid by the GCC leaders and bring about more achievements to meet the aspirations of the GCC people. In a press release, the institution commended the GCC leaders' efforts to boost the concept of GCC citizenship and promote cooperation in the field of human rights. Citing steps taken by the GCC member states to foster human rights and dignity, the institution lauded the GCC Human Rights Declaration which was issued in 2014, describing it as a quantum change as it emanated from the GCC leaders' strong belief in the importance of human rights. It also pointed out the need for the Gulf Cooperation Council to set up the GCC High Commission for Human Rights that will take charge of mapping out unified strategies to further promote human rights. The National Institution for Human Rights lauded access of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to the Arab Court for Human Rights by-law and expressed hope the other GCC countries will also join. The court, which will be based in Bahrain, was set up according to the wise vision and initiative of HM the King as it represents an important regional mechanism to foster human rights within the framework of joint GCC and Arab work. The institution expressed hope one week or day will be allocated to celebrate the GCC human rights and shed light on the role of the member states in this respect. It affirmed that the unrelenting efforts of the GCC leaders to promote human rights are fundamentals towards more prosperity and development.