NIHR criticises NGOs’ silence over Qatar’s violation of Bahraini fishermen's human rights

Manama, Dec. 18 (BNA): The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) has affirmed that Bahrain has become a model to be emulated in the political and democratic reforms, respect for human rights and public freedoms, in addition to the consolidation of the sate of law and constitutional institutions during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era. The kingdom has also earned regional and global acclaim for its commitment to implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda as part of its national programme, the NIHR said, adding that since the launch of the Reform Project in 2001, HM the King has stressed that the human rights respect approach is an integral part of Bahrain’s strategy to strengthen the state of institutions and law in accordance with well-established national fundamentals, which are found and firmly established throughout history and since the establishment of the modern state. The NIHR is responding to the allegations and media statements issued by a number of non-governmental organisations abroad and aired by the Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite channel regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain, in addition to the claims of these organisations, which lack credibility and moderation, regarding democracy, as well as the economic conditions and freedoms of expression and opinion in the kingdom. In a statement issued today, the NHRI highlighted the commitment of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to protecting the health and safety of everyone since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, through the launch of a wide-ranging stimulus package and well-thought-out pre-emptive precautionary measures, in which all human rights principles were taken into account. These measures significantly contributed to mitigating the impacts of the pandemic, and reflected the extent of the depth of the political leadership’s belief in the respect for human rights and dignity, as well as its commitment to protecting them, and constantly consolidating them further. The NIHR emphasised that the kingdom’s interest in human rights and commitment to protecting them are authentic and deeply rooted, noting that the national legislation reflects respect for rights and freedoms, especially those rights related to the freedom of opinion and belief, guaranteeing the rights of national and expatriate workers, support for associations and trade unions, and the criminalisation of trafficking in persons. The NIHR stressed that such organisations and the Qatari media ignore Bahrain’s achievements, legislation and laws that protect and guarantee the rights of the citizens and residents, as well as its accession to regional and international agreements related to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, among many others. They also overlook the existence of a bicameral National Assembly while speaking about democracy and political participation in Bahrain. The NIHR affirmed that the human rights protection process in Bahrain will continue unabated, as its strategy is deeply rooted through the national mechanisms concerned with human rights, highlighting the effective role played by the Supreme Council for Women in empowering women and ensuring gender equality, in accordance with the constitution and national legislation. The NIHR denied categorically, based on its announced and unannounced regular visits to the reformation, rehabilitation and detention centres, the allegations of those NGOs, regarding the situation of inmates and detainees, stressing that such claims are baseless, and lack credibility, evidence and objectivity. The NIHR expressed its surprise at the tendency of such organisations, that claim to protect and defend human rights, to practise double standards in their work, noting that they turn a blind eye to the grave and serious violations of the rights of the ordinary Bahraini citizen regarding their livelihoods, through the dangerous practices of the Qatari authorities against Bahraini fishermen, which are violations that contravene all human rights standards and the International Human Rights Law. In this regard, the NIHR renewed its strong condemnation of the continuous Qatari targeting of fishermen and seafarers in the territorial waters of Bahrain. The NIHR expressed deep concern over those NGOs’ silence over the Qatari grave violations of human rights principles. It also slammed those NGOs for making misleading media statements, which are considered a violation of human rights, as they are based on fabricated and baseless information aimed at distorting the human rights achievements in the kingdom. The NIHR renewed its call to such organisations to adhere to the lofty values and principles of human rights, and be committed to the UN standards and regulations, in accordance with the community partnership principle, through obtaining information from reliable sources, and adhering to the principles of honest human rights work, away from political from interests. In its statement, the NIHR affirmed that it deals firmly with any violations related to human rights in accordance with the terms of reference entrusted to it in the law of its establishment, and in a manner that is consistent with the obligations of the Kingdom resulting from its accession to and ratification of the relevant international agreements. It also called on the NGOs that had issued the misleading allegations to adhere to professionalism, and to contact the independent entities in the kingdom, particularly the NIHR, to verify the accuracy of the claims included in their reports and statements, expressing its readiness to cooperate with all parties and organisations to uncover the truth and protect human rights.