Human Rights Minister meets Arab Secretary

Minister of Human Rights Affairs Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman met today at the Arab League Secretariat General headquarters in Cairo Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabil Al Arabi, in the presence of Bahraini Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa. The Arab League Secretary General hailed Bahrain's efforts and initiatives in the human rights field, lauding its keenness to honour its national and international commitments in this respect. He underlined the Arab League's support to Bahrain, commending the tremendous efforts exerted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the government in fast-tracking reforms and carrying out initiatives to restore national unity. Both sides also discussed HM the King's proposal to set up an Arab Human Rights Tribunal which was included in his speech on November 24, 2011. The Arab League Secretary General praised the royal proposal, describing the court as a civilizational milestone that would contribute to the Arab countries' efforts to support and encourage respect of human rights. He also briefed the Human Rights Affairs Minister about steps taken by the Secretariat General with relevant parties to implement the royal initiative, adding that a meeting would convene in this regard on December 18, 2012 to complete studying technical aspects related to the setting up of the tribunal. The Human Rights Affairs Minister stressed that the royal initiative would contribute to supporting human rights issues in the Arab World. He added that the move reflects Bahrain's keenness to back all efforts aimed at promoting human rights. He said: "The Arab nation is facing a major challenge in this phase which requires boosting values of cooperation and solidarity." Both sides also reviewed progress in implementing the recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review Bahrain was subject to during the Human Rights Council's 21st session in Geneva. The Human Rights Minister noted that Bahrain had submitted to the Arab League Secretariat General its first report on carrying out the provisions of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, pointing out that discussion of the report by the Arab Human Rights Committee will be next January.