Bahrain has witnessed a lot of challenges and tensions, and diligently sought over the past decade to create an environment conducive to political participation through the empowerment of women, civil society development, revitalization of the trade union movement, and emphasizing the separation of powers between the three authorities, according to the Foreign Minister.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who gave a speech on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the 25th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighted the achievements of Bahrain on human rights front.
The Foreign Minister also explained the challenges still faced by Bahrain after three years of the issuance of the Commission’s report, noting in particular the growing phenomenon of violence and acts of terrorism that occur on the streets, as well as the serious terrorist acts faced by the police, the latest of which claimed the lives of three police officers in a heinous terrorist act.
The perpetrators of this hideous crime did not hesitate to publish their filmed act on a wide swath of social media sources indulging in the incitement of violence and terrorism.
The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Human Rights Council High Commissioner’s Office and especially thanked their team which is currently in Bahrain engaging in wide-ranging consultations to draw up a Programme of Technical Assistance and Capacity Building, in order to ensure consistency and compatibility with best practices and international standards in the field of the protection and promotion of human rights under the rule of law and the respect for the principles of democracy.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also congratulated on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain the Tunisian president and people on the adoption of their progressive Constitution reflecting the Tunisian people true well as they embark upon their better future.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Council on the progress made by Bahrain, based on the principles established by the National Action Charter and on the basis of being a modern constitutional monarchy in the region.
He added that Following the unfortunate events that Bahrain went through in early 2011, The Foreign Minister reviewed procedures followed by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to overcome the events and their effects, through the development of many of the mechanisms and the establishment of a number of institutions that guarantee human rights and maintenance, as well as developing the skills of members of the security forces and others working in the public sector on the commitment to the respect of human rights in the framework of the law, and all this in the context of an objective and transparent implementation of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed Bahrain’s commitment to fully implement the recommendations of the Committee, referring to the report on the implementation of the recommendations which was issued in February 2013, and detailed information and accurate statistics reflecting what has been achieved.
Shaikh Khalid strongly denounced the exploitation of children and putting them in these violent practices, which just yesterday evening led to the injury two children ages 10 and 11 after the terrorists tricked them to plant a homemade bomb.
While the Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the international governments and organizations support denouncing this terrorist act yet at the same time asked all parties in Bahrain, which have contributed to inflame the situation to be involved in initiatives leading to the immediate stopping of violence and terrorist acts, addressing the important clergy members who affect non-governmental associations and politicians to play a more effective role in the matter.
He also affirmed the commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain and their approach of the adoption of a constructive dialogue in advancing progress and development.
In the context of reviewing the challenges facing the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid confirmed that these terrorist acts are directly linked to members of the Islamic Republic of Iran who supervised the training of conducting acts of violence in Bahrain of groups located outside the Kingdom, and talked about the emergence of armed groups related directly with the “Army of Jerusalem” and the arrest of people in many GCC countries with links to Iranian agents.
Adding that all above mentioned is confirmed by the reports issued by foreign governments, and called in on Iran to respect the principles of good neighborliness, and coexistence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries as clearly stipulated in the United Nations Charter.
The Foreign Minister also discussed a number of important issues in the field of human rights that are always active on international community scene. He spoke on achieving the fundamental and legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people through the implementation of the commitments, resolutions and decisions of the United Nations and the Arab Peace Initiative, in addition to affirming the need for solidarity of the international community to stop the suffering of the Syrian people and to work immediately on the success of the peace talks which should meet the Syrian people’s aspirations.
The Foreign Minister also affirmed supporting the Arab Republic of Egypt combating terrorist acts and supporting the Egyptian government in moving forward to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the Egyptian people.
He also praised the significant role played by the Human Rights Council in promoting the protection and safeguarding of human rights all over the world. The Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded his speech by expressing appreciation to the Member States and the Office of the High Commissioner for their support of Bahrain’s efforts to achieve the highest standards and best practices in the area of human rights.