The Bahraini delegation in charge of the periodic review voiced great satisfaction over the international understanding for the Kingdom’s achievements.
Led by Minister of State for Human Rights Affairs Dr Salah AIi, said that the international stance would give Bahrain an opportunity to showcase its efforts to promote and protect human rights.
The delegation expressed deep appreciations to the countries that acknowledged the important democratic steps which reflect the Government’s commitment to consolidate and protect human rights.
Several states taking part in the discussion session voiced their stances in support of Bahrain’s efforts to promote constitutional, legislative and institutional reforms.
They also lauded Bahrain’s strides to consolidate the progress achieved so far in the field of human rights, recommending the momentum to continue towards promoting more reforms and anchoring the principles of justice, equality and transparency.
Minister of State for Human Rights Dr Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman outlined Bahrain’s legislative strides. Addressing the 13th session of the Human Rights Council, he said that the legislative authority had endorsed a string of legislations as stipulated in the Kingdom’s periodic review. He outlined legal amendments regarding the concept of torture, in conformity with international standards, citing the child law, recently endorsed by the Parliament.
Dr Salah reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment and keen interest in the periodic review, stressing the Kingdom’s cooperation with international instances regarding human rights mechanisms.
“Our cooperation stems from firm commitment to implementing the international covenants and adhering to global human rights standards in all walks of life”, he said.
Dr Salah hailed the positive spirit and cooperation which prevailed during the discussion of Bahrain’s periodic review report, underscoring international understanding for the Kingdom’s achievements over the past four years.
He described the periodic review as having a great potential to reflect Bahrain’s commitment to human rights and give the Kingdom an opportunity to outline its achievements in this regard.
He also underscored the importance of the periodic review in helping Bahrain to overcome potential challenges.
Dr. Salah expressed Bahrain’s deep appreciation for the delegations which acknowledged the Kingdom’s important democratic steps which, he said, reflect the Government’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.
“We value the stances voiced by the member countries for Bahrain’s constitutional, legislative and institutional reforms”, he said, extending thanks to all states that hailed the Kingdom’s efforts.
He reaffirmed Bahrain’s resolve to exert more efforts and achieve more reforms towards anchoring the principles of justice, equality and transparency.
He pledged to scrutinize all the recommendations tabled during this session, with a great sense of openness and patriotic responsibility.
“We have decided to study all these important recommendations in deep insight with concerned authorities to ensure their applicability on the ground and draw up adequate mechanisms towards promoting human rights in Bahrain”, he said.
He pointed out that some recommendations may contravene national laws, state sovereignty and the principle of separation of powers, vowing to submit Bahrain’s answer to these draft recommendations as soon as possible.