'Government keen on enhancing cooperation with legislature'

Manama, Feb. 14 (BNA): Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi has reiterated the government's unwavering keenness on enhancing cooperation with the Legislative Branch for the best interests of the citizens of Bahrain, which is celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the National Action Charter (NAC), initiated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and endorsed by an overwhelming popular majority of 98.4%. The NAC has established principles and values that helped push the development march forward, consolidated rights and promoted the separation of powers principle to lay the foundation for the state of law and institutions, which earned the kingdom's pioneering experience praise at the regional and global arenas, he said. In a statement during today's Shura Council session devoted to the NAC, Al-Hammadi extended sincere congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, and the Bahraini people on the national occasion. "In Bahrain, we have every right to be proud of the National Action Charter which was endorsed by an unprecedented popular majority of 98.4%, paving the way for a new era of democratic, human rights and development achievements in various fields, and laid the foundations for the state of law and institutions within the framework of Constitutional Monarchy," he said. Thanks to NAC, which was the outcome of HM the King's farsighted vision, Bahrain has provided a pioneering model for democratic development, he stressed. The Legislative Branch is assuming its legislative and monitoring powers guaranteed by the Constitution after approving the general state budget and the government action plan, and the Judiciary is performing its duties independently and effectively, which, he said, is a living proof of the kingdom's democratic and human rights progress. The National Action Charter has also contributed to empowering Bahraini women and enabling them to play their effective role in various fields, he also said, adding that since 2002, Bahrain has made quantum leaps in respecting human rights and strengthening freedoms in accordance with the Constitution, the NAC and laws prepared under and the dome of the national Assembly. The fruitful outcomes of the NAC are multi-fold, he said, explaining that the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) is assuming its role independently and neutrally and according to international standards. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Rights Commission (PRDC) and other national initiatives have been initiated based on a national vision to consolidate human rights and protect the rights of individuals, he added. He stressed that the initiatives launched in Bahrain are within the kingdom's conviction to achieve the best for Bahrainis in the present and future. At the international level, the kingdom has continued cooperation with brotherly GCC countries in various fields, and has played a key role in combating extremism and terrorism, he said. He affirmed that the NAC anniversary would be an opportunity to renew the keenness of the Executive Branch to continue its cooperation with the Legislature to achieve the best for Bahrain and its people.