Shura Council praises Bahrain's human rights standards, record

Manama, Mar. 15 (BNA): The Shura Council has expressed particular pride in Bahrain's massive commitment to respecting and preserving human rights and to promoting its values and principles under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Through the wide-reaching reforms he launched, HM King Hamad has affirmed respect of human rights, the Shura Council said in a statement on Arab Human Rights Day that marks the anniversary of the entry into effect of the Arab Charter on Human Rights in 2008. "On this occasion, held this year under the theme 'The right to participate in cultural life', the Shura Council affirms the role of the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in developing strategies and programs that contribute to enhancing respect for human rights," the Council said. "Such an approach is the base upon which Bahrain’s achievements and progress in various fields is built." The focus of the Arab Human Rights Day this year on the right to participate in cultural life reflects the great importance of culture in building and developing societies, the statement said. It also stresses the need to protect cultural heritage and to motivate all components of society to exercise their cultural right, obtain their various literary and scientific rights and participate in building a coherent cultural community, it added. The Council praised the steady efforts and work undertaken by various state institutions to consolidate cultural and human values in the Kingdom and to confirm commitment to relevant international covenants and treaties, especially the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that Bahrain joined in 2007. "The Council commends the Kingdom of Bahrain for its numerous official institutions and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights and keen on national responsibility and the implementation of multiple programs that reflect the Kingdom's advanced levels in human rights. It also affirms its support to national human rights-related legislation that strengthens Bahrain's commitment to relevant international agreements and treaties."