75 countries praise Bahrain’s human rights achievements

The Head of the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Assistant Foreign Minister, Abdulla bin Faisal bin Jabur Al Doseri, stressed that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism deserves all support to achieve its objectives on the basis of the principles governing the work of the Human Rights Council, the principles of dialogue, objectivity, non-selectivity and constructive international cooperation, recognising that the promotion, respect and protection of human rights is a continuous process comprising challenges and difficulties.

This came during the adoption of the draft report on the review of the report of the Kingdom of Bahrain on May 5, 2017 under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism prepared by (Troika) and the Secretariat of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Al Doseri praised the positive spirit that characterised the discussion of the third national report of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was co-sponsored by 83 countries that made oral statements, and praised by 75 of these countries for the most prominent achievements in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of protection and promotion of human rights at the institutional and legislative level and Bahrain’s commitment to the protection and empowerment of women as a result of the high level of attentiveness of the Supreme Council of Women, as well as the training of law enforcement personnel on human rights principles, the establishment of national protection mechanisms such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), the establishment of the National Human Rights Institution (NIHR) in accordance with the Paris Principles, and other developments that deserved praise.

The Assistant Foreign Minister affirmed that the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain has been committed to full and objective transparency in expressing achievements and in responding to questions and comments raised during the dialogue. On the position of the delegation, which was based on the principles of the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who emphasises respect for the principles of the promotion and protection of human rights in a democratic society seeking security, safety, development and justice for all, In accordance with the values and principles of our religion which is characterised in Bahrain since the foundation of the modern state.

He noted that the national report did not limit itself to enumerating what has been achieved in the field of guaranteeing political and civil rights, economic, social and cultural rights, the right to development and a number of voluntary recommendations, but also addressed the challenges faced by the Kingdom, and the increasing risk of sectarian extremism and fanaticism, and terrorist acts that undermine the right to a safe life and obstruct the efforts of comprehensive development, which Bahrain is working to address in accordance with the law and within the framework of respect for human rights.

The Assistant Foreign Minister also thanked the countries that participated in the interactive dialogue for their appreciation of the Kingdom’s efforts in the field of human rights, as well as the countries that made the recommendations in the context of encouraging Bahrain to continue its approach and efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights. He especially thanked the (troika) composed of Japan, Ghana and Cuba, which were responsible for facilitating the process of reviewing the national report and preparing the draft report of the Working Group, and the secretariat of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for supporting the work of the troika and the preparation of the final draft report.

He affirmed that Bahrain will carefully study all the recommendations contained in the report, which amounted to 175 recommendations and will be submitted to the Human Rights Council before the thirty-sixth session in September 2017.

The President of the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Assistant Foreign Minister aspired to take advantage of the interactive dialogue in the framework of the universal periodic review mechanism and with the Human Rights Council and the United Nations bodies, and strengthening cooperation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to complement the programme of technical cooperation and capacity-building for the year 2016, the effective participation in the relevant international and regional mechanisms, particularly those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the friendly countries and allies, and to communicate with stakeholders to achieve a common goal to confirm and strengthen respect for Human rights and the law.