HRH Premier's message on Human Rights Day

Manama, Dec. 9 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister has asserted that human beings’ right to development, and to live in security and stability within a secure society should top the International Community’s interests, particularly amid the regretful conditions that many regions in the world are going through. “The international humanitarian conscience is currently facing a real challenge regarding the extent of its ability to alleviate the sufferings of those suffering from famine and displacement in many regions that are ravaged by violent conflicts. The International Community has to respond more seriously to eliminate the causes of conflicts from their grass roots,” the Premier said. HRH the Prime Minister called on the world to take advantage of the noble principles of human rights to improve the conditions of peoples through stepping up joint international action based on mutual respect and shared desire to exchange benefits by focusing on achieving sustainable development and adopting plans that ensure real development for peoples, and secure them all means of welfare and progress. In a message addressed to the world on World Human Rights Day, which falls on Saturday, December 10, and is held this year under the theme: "Stand up for someone's human rights today," HRH the Prime Minister stressed that “human rights are in essence noble values emanating from ll religions and approved by international covenants and agreements, and should remain a means for development and building, and should by no means be used a tool to interfere into the domestic affairs of countries.” The Prime Minister emphasised that international human rights action should be based on rules that respect international covenants and agreements that were approved by the UN and ratified by countries, stressing that the aim of every international collective effort should be the development and progress of humanity. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Kingdom of Bahrain has set a pioneering human rights respect model based on justice, freedom of expression and the rule of the law and the enforcement of the law on everyone, without discrimination, adding that Bahrain will carry on its efforts to ensure a better future for all its citizens. “The values of co-existence, tolerance, acceptance of others and equality have always been the fundamentals of the Bahraini society throughout history, which has entitled Bahrain to be a land that embraces all cultures and civilisations. Through this, the kingdom has projected to the world a model for the consolidation of human rights, and the ability to put in place an environment in which the citizens and residents live in love and harmony.” HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that the kingdom’s constitution guaranteed human rights in accordance with the human values and principles embedded in the National Action Charter, adding that the constitution also laid the foundation basis for rights and freedoms that ensure the welfare, progress and stability for the nation. “The Bahraini society is based on cooperation and compassion among the citizens, as well as freedom, equality, security, tranquility, science, social solidarity and equal opportunities for the citizens. These are the pillars of society and are guaranteed by the state,” he said. “Our interest in achieving comprehensive development in its various dimensions includes supporting and instilling the culture of human rights in education and the media for the aim of strengthening the social structure and consolidating the bases of a civilised society whose members enjoy their rights under the rule of the law, and in order to ensure that Bahrain remains secure and stable, and carries on its efforts to achieve its development goals,” the Premier added. HRH the Premier renewed Bahrain’s commitment to working with the international community in everything aimed at promoting peace, development and human rights protection all over the world, in line with its belief in the importance of international action for the sake of a more stable world. The Prime Minister affirmed that the Human Rights Day is an opportunity to protect the noble goals of human rights and make sure they not used to penetrate societies or impose guardianship over them. HRH Premier called for a comprehensive review of mechanisms used in collecting information pertaining to human rights to ensure the non-reliance on unilateral sources whose biased attitudes may affect their reports and make them biased and lack impartiality. HRH the Prime Minister praised the efforts undertaken by the UN and its specialised agencies to consolidate human rights, strengthen the pillars of international stability and counter the multiple challenges to the world, wishing the UN every success in promoting peace and prosperity all over the world.