The European Parliamentary Assembly members in a statement hailed Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for initiating the national consensus dialogue sessions, alas, boycotted by the opposition in the aftermath of February-March 2011 events in Bahrain.
They lauded His Majesty’s formation of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) led by Prof. Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni comprising a number of eminent international jurists, citing the progress achieved regarding improvement of the situation in Bahrain and the establishing of democratic institutions since Bahrain’s independence in 1971, as aknowledged by numerous observers, including the National Action Charter which was unanimously agreed by almost all Bahraini citizens and from which the Constitution was derived, describing it as the most unique accomplishment of its kind in the region.
The statement added that external influences from neighbouring countries cannot be underestimated which could lead to regional instability and serious consequences.
The statement urged the European Union to encourage all those concerned to resort to democratic dialogue and to invite the Kingdom of Bahrain to benefit from the experience of the Venice Commission and to join the Venice Agreement and to explore opportunities for cooperation with members of the European Union Council and its institutions.