Bahrain NGOs slam High Commissioner for Human Rights' statements

Manama, Sep. 19 (BNA): A number of national non-government organisations (NGOs) in Bahrain affirmed in a statement today that promoting and protecting human rights is a top-priority issue for the Bahraini civil society. They underscored the constitutional provisions pertaining to fundamental rights and freedoms recognized in the Bahraini community, voicing deep concern over the unprecedented interference of politically-motivated international civil servants. They expressed rejection of all statements made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The following is the NGOs' declaration: "(Bahrain announced)-National NGOs Declaration on the Independence of Bahrain from External Biased Human Rights Intervention National NGOs in the Kingdom of Bahrain Considering that the promotion and protection of human rights is a matter of priority for the Bahraini civil society, Reaffirming the principle of human rights for all, Emphasising the constitutional provisions related to fundamental rights and freedoms recognized in Bahraini society, Recalling the human rights principles afforded in the GCC Human Rights Declaration, the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and the Arab Charter on Human Rights, Stressing deep concern on the unprecedented interventions of politically-motivated international civil servants, Expressing rejection of all statements made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Declare the following: 1. The National Action Charter and the Constitution are the only fundamental sources of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 2. The global war on terror requires measures necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security afforded by the Kingdom of Bahrain. 3. Senior UN officials, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights, need to execute their obligations impartially and independently from any political considerations. 4. The International community needs to consider the establishment of a permanent court to prosecute impartially international civil servants, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 5. The concept of Human Rights Defenders may only extend to individuals committed to the principle of human rights for all. 6. Selective activists who only claim the rights of a certain sect or religion are to be held liable for actions inconsistent with the principles of a democratic society. 7. National Bahraini NGOs recommend that the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the international community take affirmative action against the provoking statements of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which had a divisive impact on Bahraini society, and the unity of the Bahraini people. Additionally, the High Commissioner for Human Rights targeted Bahrain for two years (from the time he assumed his functions) and categorized Bahrain, on his prejudiced reports, as one of the worst countries in upholding human rights. Of course, all imperial observers to the situation of the human rights can certify that the claims against Bahrain by the High Commissioner are fallacious."