Bahrain committed to enforcing law

Cairo, May 27 (BNA): Bahrain's unwavering commitment to enforcing the law has been stressed by Information Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi who stressed that "exercising political work in the kingdom does not mean immunity from punishment for transgressing the law." In a statement to German news agency, Deutsche-Presse Agentur (DPA), he stressed Bahrain's keenness to promote its status as a favourite destination for media investments, pointing out the large number of local and international newspapers and channels operating from Bahrain with utter freedom. He said that an arrested opposition figure was being tried for breaking the law, but stressed that all legal and judicial guarantees were provided to ensure a fair trial. He pointed out that the law in Bahrain is enforced on any offender regardless of religion, sect or social class. Regarding the suspension Al-Arab Channel, the minister said the decision was taken following the channel's non-compliance with legal procedures. He explained that the officials in charge of the channel decided to switch to another location after an initial licence had been revoked. The minister demanded Iran to stop its abusive statements, pointing out Bahrain's unwavering stance to maintain communication with all countries. He underscored Bahrain's constant rejection of Iran's defamatory statements which are considered as a blatant interference in its internal affairs. "Tehran still shows no commitment to the principle of good neighbourliness despite repeated calls by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," he said, asserting Bahrain's unflinching commitment to keeping all channels of communication open with all. The minister urged the adoption of a new ideological and media strategy to deter terrorist, theocratic and fascist movements which are using religion as a pretext to attain goals. He emphasised that confronting the terrorists ideologically and via mass media is the most important battle for the region to win. "New mass media have become one of the most important weapons used by the terrorist movements, like Daesh, to disclose messages and achieve ends. Therefore, social awareness must be raised about the tactics of those groups," the minister said, pointing out that by disseminating its violations and crimes, Daesh aimed to spread fear and guarantee no resistance in any region it attempts to bring under its control. Concerning the nuclear agreement being negotiated by Iran and the West, he pointed out the outcome of the recent GCC-US conference in Camp David in defining the framework and characteristics of the agreement. He stressed the GCC countries' clear and unwavering stance in supporting the agreement as long as it is binding, transparent and capable of achieving regional security. The minister strongly denounced allegations that the US is using Iran as a tool to spark fear in the Gulf, asserting awareness of the GCC countries' leaderships and people of their needs and keenness to have the needed power to maintain their security and territorial sovereignty. He underscored the GCC countries' keenness to continuously update their military systems, pointing out that the GCC-US relations represent "a constant and historical strategy which is based on mutual respect and common interests." Concerning Yemen, the minister emphasised the outcome of Riyadh summit which calls for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and the GCC initiative, stressing that no dialogue will take place with the Houthis and the rebels nor will they be accepted as part of the political process unless they cede weapons and apologise to the Yemeni people for what they have done. As for the situation in Iraq, he stressed the need to continue cracking down on the terrorist groups until they are rooted out.