Speaker defends Bahrain’s human rights record; rejects EU Parliament’s biased resolution

Manama, Mar.11 (BNA): The human rights system in Bahrain is developed and advanced, and the Kingdom’s civilized initiatives are pioneering, said the Council of Representatives Speaker Her Excellency Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal. She expressed the Council of Representatives’ strong rejection and objection to the European parliament’s resolution concerning the human rights situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is considered a continuation of an unacceptable practice of ignoring facts and milestones in this regard. The Speaker said that the European Parliament has been taking biased stances and decisions against Bahrain, relying predominantly on subjective sources, that steer an agenda that seeks to undermine the Kingdom, and fuel terrorism, incitement, and bigotry among the peaceful pluralistic community of Bahrain; and that seeks to always overturn facts and obscure reality. “These sources always blatantly disregard the importance that the Kingdom of Bahrain is according to human rights in all sectors”, she said. She affirmed the significant advancement and strides taken in the Kingdom to uphold and protect human rights, under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the relentless efforts of the Government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. She explained that the Council of Representatives has extended official invitations to the European Parliament to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as invited its members to communicate with the official concerned authorities, and with the Bahraini parliament, which has been elected freely by the people, as well as with human rights organisations in the Kingdom, including the National Institute for Human Rights. However, the European parliament has been persistent in its stance, which puts in question the motive behind some of its members politicised and unbalanced positions. She added that those stances and positions do not serve the mutual interests of our countries and peoples, and do not play a constructive role in advancing human rights. She further added that the resolution included many unacceptable fallacies, as they are an embodiment of duality of standards, and seek to undermine the constitutional procedures, government projects, court rulings, legislations, and the civil practice of human rights, of which the Kingdom of Bahrain is a pioneer; as the culture of human rights and its practice is deep-rooted in the Bahraini society. She pointed out that the European Parliament must objectively look into the Kingdoms efforts to promote human rights, especially in the implementation of alternative sentences, corrective justice, the open prisons initiative, and combatting human trafficking and extremism. She highlighted advancement of the regulatory system, and the responsible care extended to inmates, and all the legal guarantees provided to them under the Bahraini judicial system, in accordance with the constitution. The Speaker emphasised that the European Parliament has also purposefully overlooked Bahrain’s immense efforts in facing the challenges and repercussions of COVID-19, particularly the care extended to all citizens, residents, and prisoners alike. She added that Bahrain provided medical care and vaccination free of charge in the face of this global pandemic, underscoring the government initiatives to support all members of society, notably those most in need. Zainal stressed that the resolution of the European Parliament supports terrorist and radical groups and undermines the efforts taken to combat terrorism and uphold security and stability for all. She added that the resolution aims to legitimise the terrorist acts and murders that are denounced by the international community, and contradict with human values and principles, as well as with agreements and charters in this regard. The speaker expressed pride that the Bahraini community has in its deep-rooted values of tolerance, coexistence, openness, and religious freedom for all, in addition to the protection and promotion of human rights, and upholding the rule of law through civilised initiatives and human rights establishments. This is Safeguarded, she explained, in accordance with national and Arab values, Islamic principles, international covenants, the International Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Arab Charter for Human Rights, and what was affirmed by the National Action Charter and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.