Bahrain's efforts to protect human rights stressed

Manama, Oct. 16 (BNA): President of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) Maria Khoury stressed the constant steps of Bahrain in promoting human rights under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa . She pointed out tolerance and coexistence characterising the Bahraini society which turned Bahrain into a pioneering model in this respect at the international level. NIHR President was speaking as she received today European Court of Human Rights Judge Nicola Lettieri. The meeting was attended by Italian Ambassador to Bahrain Domenico Bellato, Acting President of the Special Investigation Unit Mohammed Al Haza' a, Deputy President Khalid Al-Shaer, member of the Council of Commissioners Dr. Malallah Hammadi and NIHR Secretary General Chancellor Yasser Shahine. The President of NIHR welcomed the audience and presented a briefing on the institution, its goals and specialties as well as mechanisms of handling human rights issues. The audience hailed the assertion of Lettieri that the steps taken by Bahrain against torture and to boost the human rights institutions meet the human rights standards enforced in the European countries. Judge Nicola Lettieri also praised the role of NIHR at the local and international level as one of the national mechanisms to protect human rights in Bahrain.