Bahrain's democratic, human rights achievements hailed

Manama, Sept. 15 (BNA): Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabur Al Dossari hailed Bahrain's pioneering democratic and human rights achievements since the launch of the reform and civilizational project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He referred to the National Action Charter (NAC) endorsed in 2001 by 98.4% of the citizens to establish the rule of law and institutions on the foundations of transparency under a modern constitutional monarchy. The assistant minister expressed his pride that the Kingdom of Bahrain has joined the civilized world to celebrate the International Day of Democracy on September 15, marked this year under the theme of "Participation, in implementation of the UN General Assembly’s September 2007 resolution. He commended the success of the Bahraini model of democratic transformation with free national will, and an unparalleled popular consensus on the policies of good governance within the framework of the separation of the three legislative, executive and judicial authorities, and cooperation in accordance with the Constitution. The assistant minister stressed the Kingdom of Bahrain's distinguished constitutional and legal mechanisms guaranteeing popular participation in public affairs by the citizens, men and women, and their right to exercise of full political rights, including the right to vote and candidature, in accordance with the Constitution and NAC. He noted that this comes within the framework of a protective and supportive system of political, economic, cultural and social rights and freedoms, including freedom of opinion and expression, the freedom of the press, media and religious freedoms. He also cited the people’s right to establish, form and join civil and political associations and trade unions, within the framework of equity and equal opportunities for all without discrimination based on sex, race, religion, origin or belief. He highlighted that the while the parliament is in its fifth legislative term, political reforms have continued since 2002 through a forty member- House of Representatives, free and fair parliamentary elections and full judicial supervision, noting the high popular participation which reached over 67% in 2018 with He added that members with expertise and high competence were appointed to the Shura Council, in order for the parliament to be able to represent the entire nation and let citizens exercise their powers, enact legislation and oversee the work of the executive authority. This, he said, is through, questions, recommendations, probes and no-confidence motions against ministers as well as the formation of committees and discussing the government work program in addition to electing municipal councils that are committed to their national duties and development of public services and facilities. " Bahrain judiciary is characterized by independence and impartiality seen the establishment of the Constitutional Court on 14 September 2002 to monitor the constitutionality of laws, followed by the establishment of the Public Prosecution as an independent division of the judiciary in 2003 and having all the courts and bodies functioning under the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Council. He cited the strengthening of the fiscal and administrative independence of the judiciary in 2012, believing that "the honor of the judiciary, the probity and impartiality of judges, is the basis of government and the guarantee of rights and freedoms" in Article 104 of the Constitution, pointing out its role in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance. Al Dossari noted the establishment of several independent national councils, agencies and institutions to protect public rights and freedoms, and promote and disseminate a culture of human rights. Of these, he noted in particular the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women in 2001, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the National Human Rights Institution, the Ombudsman's Office and the Prisoners and Detainees' Rights Commission. He also cited the Office of the Inspector General at the National Security Agency, the Public Prosecution’s Investigation Unit and the Bahrain Institute for Political Development in addition to activating the role of civil society, which consists of over 647 NGOs, including 16 political associations. The assistant minister praised Bahraini women’s active participation in all aspects of democratic life with six women being part of the committee, which prepared the National Action Charter in 2000 and representing half of the electoral bloc over the past elections. Women, he said, occupied 19% of the Shura and Representative councils’ seats in in the fifth legislative term and affirmed their supervisory presence in many regional and international committees and organizations. "Women represented 26% of the diplomatic staff; became Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of the National Institution for Human Rights, held 9% of the judiciary posts and 5% of the Public Prosecution. "They have an active role in civil society through the chairmanship of the elected BJA and twenty other associations and dynamic memberships of in dozens of civil and political societies." The Assistant Foreign Minister explained that these democratic and human rights achievements have earned the trust, appreciation and respect of the international community when the Kingdom’s voluntary reports have been discussed in effective cooperation and coordination with international bodies. This, he added, was through the Kingdom’s active membership in the Human Rights Council and several UN committees, in line with its accession to more than 30 International human rights conventions. Of the conventions, he cited in particular the CEDAW, the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, among others, with the support of the Higher Coordinating Committee for Human Rights and relevant national agencies and global organizations. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain, thanks to the reform approach of His Majesty the King and the awareness of its people, has provided the world with a pioneering model of national unity, political and democratic openness, dialogue and coexistence among religions, sects and civilizations, and fight against extremism, hatred and terrorism. "Bahrain was able to achieve this pioneering status thanks to its initiative such as The King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at The Sapienza University in Rome, Italy, and other international initiatives and awards aimed at supporting and advancing women, youth and humanity. The assistant minister underlined the Kingdom's keenness, within the framework of cooperation between the executive and legislative powers, to consolidate the process of democratic development as a fundamental pillar for the respect of human rights and rule of law, and to promote tolerance, peace and sustainable development. He remarked that all this was in accordance with the Government's program of Action (2019-2022) and the Economic Vision 2030 with its principles based on justice, sustainability and competitiveness, and in conformity with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially Goal 16 towards the establishment of peaceful societies where justice, equality and equal opportunities for all prevail.