EP resolution against Bahrain slammed

Manama, July 8 (BNA): The Human Rights Committee at the Shura Council has asserted that the reports of the European Parliament (EP) about the human rights situation in Bahrain do not reflect reality, noting that the kingdom’s human rights achievements have gone far beyond what is mentioned in the EP’s report. The panel affirmed that the EP’s reports and the resolutions of the European Union (EU) had not taken the kingdom’s human rights strides, regarding laws and legislation, into consideration, and failed to deal with them impartially and fairly. The resolution adopted by the EP during its Thursday’s session included an "unjustified and illegal interference into the Kingdom of Bahrain’s domestic affairs," the committee said in a statement issued today. The resolution casts doubt on the fairness and independence of the Bahraini Judiciary, and contravenes the usual international parliamentary norms, which cannot be accepted, the statement added. The Shura Committee added that the European Parliament’s report contained contradictions, explaining that while the EP asserted its respect for Bahrain’s sovereignty, its reports about Bahrain failed to do so. The committee stressed that the legal measures taken by the kingdom were meant to safeguard its security and stability against those preying on it and seeking to distabilise it. "The issuance of such resolutions by the European Parliament is an unacceptable encroachment on Bahrain’s sovereignty, and an absolutely rejected interference," the statement said, adding that "Bahrain’s policy is based on non-interference into the internal affairs of other countries, and therefore it does accept that any of them meddles in its affairs or transgresses its security and national fabric." The panel underlined its categorical rejection of the resolution which, the statement said, ignored the kingdom’s great efforts in the field of constitutional reform, as well as its strides in consolidating freedom of expression and human rights protection in line with the principles embedded in the Reform Project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and firmly supported by the government and widely praised by the citizens, residents, the International Community and many countries. The Shura Committee called on the EP to re-consider its resolutions and negative stances against Bahrain, given the kingdom’s solid relations with its member states, expressing regret over the "surprising" decision which, it affirmed, adopted double standards as it criticized the procedures taken by the kingdom, like EU and many other countries, to safeguard the citizens and residents against terrorism. It highlighted the kingdom’s multiple procedures and legislative amendments aimed at strengthening the human rights system, in line with the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the citizens and residents in the National Action Charter and the Constitution according to clear frameworks and mechanisms that maintain security and stability for all and ensure their safety without discrimination or infringement on their protected freedoms and rights.