International status does not exempt anyone from legal accountability

Geneva, June 30 (BNA): Bahrain has hit back at fallacies included in the US statement which admitted progress in carrying out some reforms, but expressed concern over the High Commissioner’s report on restraints imposed on peaceful rallying and political activities and its emphasis on the need for political reconciliation. Bahrain’s delegation to the UN office and other international organisations in Geneva stressed, in a statement within the framework of general discussion, the autonomy and impartiality of Bahrain’s judiciary. They affirmed that all judicial procedures take place on legal basis and on purely legal grounds without discrimination and with the provision of all legal guarantees for the defendants as the independence and impartiality of the judiciary are the main pillars to protect and boost human rights. The delegation also pointed out the danger of terrorism, extremism and discourse inciting hatred, division and sectarianism. They asserted that inciting violence against Bahrain’s police in public speeches, possessing and smuggling weapons and explosives, intelligence with foreign countries, threatening national stability, and participating in armed conflicts in the region are all incriminated acts which undermine public order and require the appropriate legal punishment, including revocation of the Bahraini citizenship. They also affirmed that freedom of expression and the right for peaceful demonstration are legally guaranteed according to international standards. However, they noted, veering off the peaceful track and sliding into violence and sabotage to undermine public interest requires legal action, like anywhere in the world. The delegation asserted that it is unfair to force any government not to enforce the law on any individual because of his international reputation for no one is above the law. They also called on the US to handle growing discourse of fanaticism and hatred on religious and ethnic basis by adopting more positive procedures that ensure cultural pluralism and equality. AOQ