Parliamentary committees hold talks with European Parliament delegation

Manama, Nov. 1 (BNA): Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee at the Council of Representatives, MP Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sisi, has asserted that the human rights system in the Kingdom of Bahrain is comprehensive and integrated. “Our doors are open to all. Extending bridges of communication and cooperation with councils and parliaments would clarify the facts, and reveal all things transparently, without the need to obtain inaccurate information from unilateral parties and groups that do not represent the Bahraini people,” he said. MP Al-Sisi also affirmed that under the comprehensive development march, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has taken the kingdom to new heights and advanced horizons in various fields, especially human rights, with the consolidation of the legislative and institutional systems and protection of the rights of all. He indicated that the Kingdom is proud of the human rights initiatives launched by HM King Hamad to promote coexistence and tolerance, in addition to implementing the alternative sentences project, working on the implementation of the open prisons programme, and the remarkable and continuous development that the reform and rehabilitation centres are witnessing regarding the care for prisoners and their rights. MP Al-Sisi made the statements during the talks held today at the Council of Representatives between the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee and the Human Rights Committee, on the one hand, and the Delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula (DARP) at the European Parliament, which is currently on a visit to the kingdom, on the other. Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, MP Ammar Al-Bannai, said that the Council of Representatives supports the efforts of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to preserve and protect human rights and make them a well-established culture, as well as an authentic working methodology in various aspects of life in the Kingdom, based on the national fundamentals regarding the respect for human rights. He emphasised the kingdom’s high human rights record, reflected recently by its pioneering humanitarian position during the spread of the novel Coronavirus pandemic by ensuring the health and safety of all citizens and residents, without exception. MP Al-Bannai added that the Representatives Council, led by Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, places human rights at the top of its parliamentary work priorities, noting that the human rights system in Bahrain has taken unprecedented pioneering steps in all fields, promoting equality, equal opportunities, advancement of women, children’s rights, as well as the rights of prisoners and detainees, the package of modern legislation and procedures, as well as human rights institutions represented by the National Institution for Human Rights and many civil society institutions. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and developing channels of communication between Bahrain’s National Assembly and the European Parliament, noting that some European parliamentarians’ statements and stances are based on one point of view and false information, which does not serve the shared interests of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Parliament countries, as well as their joint cooperation to promote and develop human rights. The European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula appreciated the kingdom’s remarkable progress across various development fields, in general, and human rights, in particular, lauding Bahrain’s strides in the field of women advancement, and the state’s keenness to provide services that are directly related to the rights of individuals. They also praised the interest of Bahrain’s legislation and procedures in rights, hailing the prominent role played by the kingdom to support the efforts of the International Community to promote human rights. They underlined their keenness to enhance parliamentary cooperation and communication to achieve the forecast goals, for the best interests of countries and their peoples.