Foreign Minister: Bahrain demonstrates commitment to respecting rights, freedoms and human dignity
Manama, Dec. 9 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, said that the Kingdom of Bahrain has demonstrated commitment to respecting rights, public freedoms, and human dignity. He noted that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law have been advanced.
Marking Human Rights Day and the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Dr. Al Zayani expressed pride in Bahrain’s progress in promoting civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and in ensuring justice and dignity for all without discrimination.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to build a strong human rights framework through an advanced constitutional and legislative system grounded in national values and aligned with international standards.
He noted the role of independent oversight bodies such as the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), the Ombuds Office, the Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Rights Commission (PDRC), and the Special Investigation Unit, in advancing justice, transparency, and accountability. He also pointed to the work of the National Audit Office (NAO) and the contributions of the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) over two decades in promoting democratic and parliamentary culture.
Dr. Al Zayani highlighted Bahrain’s legislation, including Alternative Sentencing and Open Prisons, and its Combating Trafficking in Persons Law, which has helped the Kingdom maintain its top Tier 1 ranking, according to the United States Department of State report for the eighth consecutive year. He also highlighted updated media legislation that promotes responsible freedoms under the rule of law.
The Foreign Minister commended the supportive legislative, regulatory, and social environment that empowers Bahraini women to exercise their political and economic rights on the basis of equality and equal opportunity, and their active role in national development, supported by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King. He also referred to laws protecting priority groups, including Law on Restorative Justice for Children and Protection from Abuse, legislation protecting women from domestic violence, care for the elderly, and the expansion of the social security system.
He underlined Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing its regional and international partnerships in human rights and to advancing the principles of solidarity and international understanding, recognising the close connection between security, peace, freedom, democracy, and sustainable development. He highlighted the Kingdom’s active presence in international organisations and its contributions through the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance and its educational and training programmes promoting peace, as well as its global awards that reinforce coexistence, empower women and youth, support digital transformation, and promote dialogue between religions and cultures, in addition to the adoption by the United Nations of Bahrain’s initiatives related to the International Days of Peaceful Coexistence, Conscience, and Human Fraternity.
Dr. Al Zayani expressed pride in international confidence in the diplomatic and humanitarian approach of His Majesty the King and in the Kingdom’s achievements in hosting the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to the Arab Summit, which endorsed initiatives to convene an international peace conference, provide health and education services for those affected by conflicts, and enhance cooperation in financial technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He reiterated Bahrain’s continued support for efforts to implement the peace plan in Gaza, resolve conflicts through peaceful means, and accelerate the achievement of a just and sustainable peace in the region that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, alongside its support for international initiatives to protect the environment and address climate change.
The Foreign Minister said that the Kingdom’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, and its upcoming chairmanship of the Arab Group at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) next year, will significantly enhance its diplomatic and humanitarian role regionally and internationally.
He emphasised that Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King and with the support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, will continue to consolidate its human rights achievements across civil, political, economic, social, and cultural domains, in line with the Government Programme, the National Human Rights Plan, and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, within a democratic and civilised society that upholds justice and respects human rights, freedoms, and dignity.
