Exercise of Political Rights Law amendment hailed

Cairo, June 12 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s ratification of Law 25/25 on amending Article 3 of Decree-Law 14/2002 on the Exercise of Political Rights has been lauded by an Egyptian newspaper. In an article titled “The Bahraini Monarch Fortifies Political Rights in the Kingdom”, the Al-Yawm Al-Sabae said that the law was ratified in line with the top priority given by the kingdom to protect and fortify its strength elements and achievements. The newspaper said that under the amendment, actual leaders and members of political societies which have been dissolved by a final judgment for committing serious violations of the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom or any of its laws are banned from contesting parliamentary elections as candidates. “Individuals who intentionally harm or disrupt the constitutional or parliamentary process by terminating or leaving the parliamentary work in the Council of Representatives or their membership has been dropped for the same reasons” have also been banned from seeking parliamentary seats in elections, the newspaper added. The newspaper also highlighted Bahrain’s developed democratic process and major human rights strides, stressing that Bahrain is among the oldest democracies in the region. The report said that Bahrain has a rich human rights history and record, noting that that as early as the beginning of the 20th century, the Bahraini citizens have enjoyed many rights and gains guaranteed by the state such as free education and health care, housing, job opportunities and religious freedom for all sects, in addition to the democratic experience which was launched through the establishment of the Constituent Council in 1973. The newspaper lauded the pioneering Reform Project launched by HM King Hamad since his Accession to the Throne. After HM the King’s Accession to the Throne, opposition figures returned to the kingdom, and the democratic experience, which was launched then, still continues despite the Iran-backed coup attempt on February 14, 2011, within the framework of Iran’s interference in Arab countries’ affairs.