Bahrain's rights record highlighted in Geneva

Geneva, Apr. 26 (BNA): Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Jabur Al Dossari has affirmed the keen desire of the Kingdom of Bahrain to cooperate with the Committee Against Torture (CAT), underling commitment to regularly submit reports in accordance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to be discussed within an atmosphere of transparency, openness and objectivity in order to attain joint Bahrain-CAT human rights development objectives. Al Dossari, who headed a high-level delegation to a session designed for the discussion of Bahrain’s second and third periodic reports before CAT in Geneva, outlined the Kingdom’s achievements and its excellent human rights record in the framework of the royal reforms of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, noting that Bahrain is considered a regional model in terms of economic, social and cultural rights. "The Kingdom ranked first in the Arab World in the UN eGovernment Report, fourth at the Arab level and 45th internationally among the countries of very high development of human resources, according to the 2015 Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)," he said. He added that Bahrain was also placed among the best countries on Women’s Economic Opportunity Index in the Global Gender Gap Report of the International Economic Forum on Gender Gap 2015. Al Dossari rejected reports presented by civil society organisation that included wrong information and groundless allegations, saying they have no presence or participation in human rights development on the ground because they are not welcome by the Bahrain street which sees them void of credibility. Numerous local civil society organisations not only disagree with the contents of their reports but also have a totally different viewpoint, he added. The allegations came mainly from associatiosn based in Western countries and operating from there and which have susceptible agendas and are arms for extremist political and religious parties. "Presenting reports to this esteemed committee and being involved in human rights advocacy will inflict tremendous harm on the human rights development process," Al Dossari said, calling on CAT members to exert efforts to verify the credibility of these reports and the fallacies they contain without being influenced by them as they are void of any credibility or professional criteria. In the course of his response to questions, Al Dossari affirmed cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights and conveyed Bahrain’s appreciation and intent to cooperate with the Office, pointing out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet received from the legislative power the invitation which was to be extended to the High Commissioner to visit the Kingdom. On the visit of the Special Rapporteur on Torture, he said that Bahrain had taken major steps in developing human rights as seen in its second and third reports submitted to CAT, and which in a major part, have dealt with matters related to torture and compensation. He added that Bahrain has already started implementing BICI recommendations and will look into the subject of the invitation in light of the positive developments. Regarding the treatment of the detainees according to the allegations made by some NGO reports and submitted to the session, the Assistant Foreign Minister explained that Bahrain has established several protective mechanisms. He cited the Code of Conduct for the Police, the Ombudsman at the Ministry of Interior, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) at the Public Prosecution, The Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) which all were operating within a system that fights crime of torture and punishes its perpetrators under the law. He added that the Ministry of the Interior has five bodies working to prevent ill-treatment or torture, namely the Internal Investigation Unit, the Police Courts, the Inspector General, the Department of Legal Affairs and Preventive Security Department, in confirmation that the Kingdom of Bahrain has truly taken advanced steps in preventing the crime of torture. In relation to the prosecution of the perpetrators of torture by the authorities, the Representative of the Public Prosecution clarified that the Penal Code specified in article 52 that the period of provisional imprisonment is not less than three years and not more than 15 years unless the law states otherwise. The prison sentence in articles 208 and 232 means temporary imprisonment of a minimum of three years and a maximum 15 years is handed down and in the event of death as a result of the crime, the punishment mounts to life imprisonment, he said, affirming that Article 208 forbids torture if it occurred from a public official and Article 232 forbids the crime if occurred from a person that does not hold that position. In the same context, the Representative of the Ministry of Interior stated that the Ministry is adopting advanced policies in the protection of human rights as a new department has been established at the Ministry of Interior, under the name of the Internal Audit and Investigations to ensure compliance with the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the standards in the Police Code of Conduct that include respect for human rights, consolidation of justice, the rule of law and how to win public trust. For his part, the Assistant Foreign Minister and head of the delegation referred to the amended Articles 208 and 232 of the Penal Code which stipulate that that torture of whatever form, is punishable by law whether it is perpetrated by a public or civil servant or any other person, affirming that competent authorities in Bahrain accord high importance to this issue in accordance to the law. Therefore, the standard course of such allegations is to be determined by competent national authorities and mechanisms such as: the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the Ombudsman of the Ministry of the Interior, the PDRC and NIHR, he added The representative of the Ministry of the Interior explained, during the session, that the Kingdom of Bahrain has prioritised healthcare for the inmates and detainees, as the 4th chapter of healthcare Law 18/ 2014 of the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre has specially dealt with such issues in articles 28 – 35. He added that Article 33 of the ministerial decision 13/ 2015 on the executive regulations of the law of the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre stipulates that the doctor of the centre shall sign the periodic medical check papers and dispense the necessary treatment as well as he can recommend an inmate’s hospitalisation in a public or private hospital. There are also many cases in which the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre has allowed inmates and detainees to receive treatment in private hospitals inside and outside the Kingdom, based on their choice and desire, he said. On a clarification regarding the adoption of strict security provisions, the representative of the Ministry of the Interior clarified the measures taken by the ministry after the terrorist attack on the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre and killed of one of the security personnel and helped 10 dangerous inmates to escape. He went on saying that subsequently several security measures were taken by creating some external security check points to ensure entry and exit of the Centre’s workers and the civilians and citizens living in its vicinity and control outside the centre was upgraded. As for the procedures, orders and instructions related to the inmates inside the centre, he said they have remained unchanged and no new instructions have been issued to restrict the rights of inmates stipulated in Law 18/2014 with regard to the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre and its executive regulations. In response to a question regarding the issue of nationality, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Statutory and Legislative Advisor Masoumah Abdul Rasool said that the Bahraini Nationality Law complies with international standards, and that the revocation of nationality is done in accordance with the law. He noted that the Law on Protection of Society from Acts of Terror stipulates that, in addition to the prescribed penalty, the person deprived of the nationality could face any other punishment stipulated in the Terrorism Act. In another context, the Assistant Foreign Minister and head of the delegation, affirmed that the Bahraini society is a pluralistic one and its spiritual and intellectual tolerance underwent difficult times in early 2011 as a result of the chaos that occurred for nearly two months. In recognition of the extraordinary nature of this experience, and preservation of the traditions of transparency and honesty, he said BICI of Inquiry was established. "It investigated the events that prevailed during this difficult period and prepared a report with detailed results in November 2011, which met widespread acceptance and were implemented by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. "The report included 26 recommendations and a comprehensive strategy for return to the path of development and progress along with other recommendations aimed at correcting the inequitable situation that emerged during that period and securing a better future for all, he remarked, quoting Professor Mahmoud Sharif Bassiouni as saying that the objectives from BICI establishment have been achieved." Ombudsman Nawaf Al-Maawda stressed that the independence and impartiality of Ombudsman Office is a settled issue and that this has been emphasised more than once in what pertains to the framework within which its functions: Decree 27 / 2012 and amending Decree No. 35 of 2013 which guaranteed its financial and administrative independence. "Therefore, article 6 of the Constitution stipulates that independence and neutrality must be achieved, including the absence of any bias of any kind in favour of any of the parties," he affirmed, explaining that the tasks and roles are carried out on the basis of professional investigations and with consultation of specialised experts in legal and human rights. "This means that results are trustworthy and reached in a timely manner thanks to the integrated system of work, based on the main international standards adopted by Ombudsman Offices across the globe," he concluded.