Bahrain has released a total 515 detainees since the State of National Safety was proclaimed. Some detainees have been released on humanitarian grounds, being patients. Other was freed after completing their custody period following their participation in the deplorable incidents which gripped the country in recent past.
Information Affairs Authority President Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa released these figures in a meeting with Bahrain dailies. He updated them on internal developments in Bahrain out of media partnership and IAA resolve to reach to all media channels.
Shaikh Fawaz pointed out that the march of reform in Bahrain would continue, stressing the Government’s efforts to promote the national project towards more democracy, modernization and development. Citing improved security, he said that the national economic has stabilized and recovered its normal course. In this regard, he reiterated the wise leadership’s keenness to reach out to businessmen and economists and undertake decisions that facilitate their activities and streamline measures for them.
He also highlighted the crucial role of leading Bahraini companies in buttressing the national economy and spurring growth. Shaikh Fawaz welcomed the principles outlined by US President Barack Obama in his address at the US State Department.
“The principles and visions expressed in President Obama’s speech harmonise, in general, with the democratic march initiated by His Majesty King Hamad”, he said. Shaikh Fawaz announced that the verdicts issued by the National Safety Court of Appeal would be referred before the Civil Court of Cassation. “The procedure is in line with the provisions of the Royal Court 48 for 2011”, he said.
He made the comments in the aftermath of the verdicts issued by the National Safety Court of Appeal upholding two death penalties against two people indicted of killing two policemen. The National Safety Court of Appeal also commuted two other death penalties into life imprisonment.
The National Safety Court of Appeal also upheld a National Safety Lower Court sentencing a defendant to life imprisonment. Under the law 9 for 1989 on the Court of Cassation, the case would be referred by the Public Prosecution to the Technical Office, in line with the aforementioned Royal Decree. Shaikh Fawaz has also revealed that 46 medical employees are being held in custody.
“Twenty-nine medical employees face criminal charges while 17 others are being accused of committing misdemeanours”, he said. According the released figures, six women are also being held in custody pending trial. Shaikh Fawaz lauded the honourable stance of the Bahrain Journalists’ Association, hailing its mobilization to confront the defamatory campaign orchestrated against Bahrain.
He also pointed out His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the wise leadership’s keen interest in promoting the status of Bahraini press. He also urged the press and media writers and columnists to observe impartiality and objectivity in addressing issues, without defaming or offending brotherly, friendly or ally countries, taking into account historic relations bonding them with Bahrain.
Shaikh Fawaz spotlighted the IAA strategy for 2011-2015, mapped out as part of efforts to develop and modernize Bahraini media on all levels and keep abreast of media strides. He stressed the importance of preserving Bahrain’s reputation and projects its true and radiant image. “This is the responsibility of every citizen and resident living in Bahrain. It is not only an official responsibility”, he said.
Shaikh Fawaz outlined the IAA’s new mechanism in dealing with events and mass media, particularly social networking websites, stressing the crucial importance of accuracy and commitment to professional credentials, objectivity and the code of press ethics.
“This would ensure the correct images reach readers and decision-makers so as to debunk fallacies, rumours and fabrications”, he said.
Shaikh Fawaz also revealed steps to appoint media attach to project Bahrain’s bright image to the world. He also stressed the IAA’s keenness to document the recent regrettable incidents which gripped Bahrain to lay the extent of the conspiracy which targeted the Kingdom – commissioning specialized firms in producing such short documentaries. He urged all official media institutions and public relations and media authorities to promote their presence on social networking websites.