Bahrain Embassy in U.K launches its 2nd annual report on human rights and democracy in the Kingdom of Bahrain
At an invitation extended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz bin Muhammad Al Khalifa, today the embassy launched its second annual report on Human Rights and Democracy in the Kingdom of Bahrain in an a virtual even.
It was held in the presence of a large number of British parliamentarians from the House of Commons and the Lords, especially the representatives in the British-Bahrain Friendship Committee, in addition to representatives of the embassies of brotherly and friendly countries accredited to the United Kingdom and representatives of the foreign ministries of the countries covered by the embassy, namely Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by a number of dignitaries and officials from the Kingdom of Bahrain, including Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari, the Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and CEO of the Supreme Council for the Environment, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Dinah, Director of the Culture and Arts Department at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director of the Judgment Execution Department at the Ministry of Interior, Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
Also attending were former CEO of the Labor Market Regulatory Authority, Osama Al Absi, Deputy Secretary-General for Ombudsman, Ghada Habib, Member of the Shura Council, Nancy Khadouri, Ambassador Houda Nuno, President of the National Institution for Human Rights, Maria Khoury, , Assistant Undersecretary for Projects and Information at the Ministry of Education, Nawal Al-Khater.
Among the participants were also the Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Initiatives, Sarah Ishaq, Head of the Department of Combating Trafficking in Persons at the Public Prosecution, Dr. Ali Al Shuwaikh and Head of Education Affairs at the Bahrain Institute for Political Development, Maryam Al-Sada, who contributed to the film that the embassy presented during the event through their active participation in the presentation.
The event was inaugurated with a welcoming statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who noted that despite the challenges of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Kingdom of Bahrain has continued to adhere to and advance human rights based on the values of openness and transparency.
This, he added, was clearly demonstrated in the launch of the National Human Rights Action Plan, which will ensure that human rights are at the heart of the continued development of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He stressed the importance of the work of regulatory bodies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as complaints are investigated in a comprehensive and transparent manner and recommendations are made to further raise standards.
He also spoke of the vital role that regulatory bodies play in strengthening the rule of law and enhancing accountability and touched on the expansion of the application of the provisions of the Alternative Penal Code in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the issuance of the Correctional Justice Law for Children and their protection from ill-treatment.
He stressed that such initiatives enhance the Kingdom’s focus on the rehabilitation of inmates and their reintegration into society and noted the creation of new agencies to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.
The Minister praised the efforts made by the Kingdom of Bahrain in confronting and addressing the Corona pandemic (Covid-19), as it was keen to provide examinations, high-quality treatment and vaccinations free of charge for all citizens and residents, regardless of nationality, race or belief.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has also supported the needy who were affected by the pandemic with a comprehensive economic package, he added.
During his opening speech, the Ambassador referred to the most important points contained in the annual report for this year such as the efforts made by the Kingdom to combat trafficking in persons, which resulted in Bahrain’s success in obtaining the first category classification in the report of the United States of America.
He also spoke of the application of the alternative penal code which is pioneering in the region, and the achievements made in the fields of strengthening the role of women politically and economically, empowering youth, and other achievements.
He also noted that Bahrain, leadership and a people, are always open to other religions and cultures, and affirmed the directives of His Majesty the King of the country to promote these values and urge building bridges of trust and understanding between all cultures and religions.
He referred to the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence and the Bahrain flagship declaration of 2017.
In his turn, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al-Dossari said in his speech in the film the embassy presented to launch the report, gave an overview of the national plan for human rights, and reviewed the achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of human rights, and the Kingdom’s leadership in achieving developmental, human, economic and social gains in various areas of sustainable development.
These include the rights of women, children and people with special needs, combating trafficking in persons, ensuring law enforcement and fair trials, in addition to ensuring the rights of migrant workers.
He noted that respecting human rights and people’s political, civil, economic, cultural and social freedoms, and preserving their dignity is a fundamental pillar in establishing the state of law, justice and Peaceful coexistence among all components of Bahraini society in light of the reform, civilization and development approach of His Majesty.
The film also showed the role the Kingdom of Bahrain plays in affirming the values of human rights, in line with the national identity and its national heritage, which is based on respect for the values of justice, equality, tolerance and democracy, as well as the Kingdom’s leadership in achieving developmental, human, economic and social achievements in various fields of sustainable development .
These include in the areas of women’s rights, youth, free education, equal opportunities, and protection of children, intensifying the role of education in promoting the spirit of citizenship and human rights, spreading the culture of peace and the values of moderation, tolerance and a common destiny, and ensuring the rights of expatriate workers.
The film outlined the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its remarkable and tangible achievements in promoting and protecting human rights in light of the repercussions of the outbreak of the new Corona virus (Covid 19), which received wide international acclaim.
It covered the promotion of the right to health by providing health services and necessary care for those affected and promoting the right to education in addition to economic rights and community partnership.
The presentation was widely praised and welcomed by the attendees, as Colonel Bob Stewart, Chairman of the Bahrain-British Parliamentary Friendship Group, praised the holding of this event and considered it an opportunity to review the successful stories and pioneering achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of human rights.
In an intervention by Mr. Khalid Mahmoud, Minister of Defense in the British shadow government and head of the International Cooperation Group in the British Parliament, he expressed his appreciation for Bahrain experience in promoting democracy and the efforts it is making in this field.
He expressed his thanks to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain for holding such seminars, which are an opportunity to learn about the achievements of Bahrain.
Afzal Khan, a member of the Bahraini-British Joint Parliamentary Committee and a member of the Workers’ Party, praised the effectiveness and the constant communication of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s embassy with the representatives and the concerned authorities, wishing this interaction further continuation and development because of its importance in clarifying facts.
