Royal reforms highlighted at 139th IPU session

Manama, (BNA): Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, head of the parliamentary delegation participating in the 139th Inter-Parliamentary Union session currently held in Geneva, stressed that peace and comprehensive development are among the key pillars of the reform programme of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which also urged equality among citizens. In his speech at the session, the Speaker said that the National Action Charter and the constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain established the basic principles of justice, freedom, democracy and strengthened the culture of human rights, dialogue, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect among religions and sects. The Speaker added education is essential for nation’s progress, saying governments should attach more attention to sustainable development and peace as parliaments have prioritized the same. He noted the contributions of legislative institutions to finding peaceful solutions to maintaining peace and stability, which is necessary for the continuation of the sustainable development process. He called on Arab nations to take a firm stance against the Israeli violation against the Palestinian people, saying some countries have reduced international aid to the UNRWA, which threatens the educational and health future of more than five thousand Palestinian refugees who mainly rely on the UNRWA aid. He said the Kingdom of Bahrain regrets the issue of reducing aid to the UNRWA, which negatively affects the march of Bahrain’s development projects in Palestine, including schools, libraries and hospitals, which threatens the scientific, cultural and health future of dozens of thousands of Palestinians. He expressed support for the proposal of Arab, Islamic Parliamentary Group to address the UNRWA's deficit issue and to list it on the emergency agenda of the 139th Inter-Parliamentary Union session to ensure the continuity of its services to Palestinian refugees. He also called for discussing the repercussions of the American decision on ceasing the aid provided to the UNRWA, extending thanks to Kuwait and Jordan for raising the proposal. He pointed out HM the King’s education initiatives, mainly the UNESCO-King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education. He also noted HRH the Crown Prince’s Government innovation competition aimed as a vital development drive. He said this approach would achieve the fourth goal of sustainable development 2030. The Speaker praised the Saudi pivotal role in safeguarding humanitarian issues around the world, underlining solidarity of Bahrain’s parliament with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against attempts to undermine its reputation and sovereignty.