HRH Premier: Using human rights to interfere in domestic affairs unacceptable

Manama, Dec. 9. (BNA) – The principles embedded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are noble objectives aiming to preserve human dignity all over the world, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said, calling upon the international community to exert more efforts to protect and respect them in order to ensure a more secure and stable world of peaceful coexistence. In a message to the world marking the Human Rights Day, celebrated worldwide on December 10 under the slogan "Human Rights 365", he said that in light of the increasing challenges facing the international community due to the scourge of terror and extremism threats, "the right of all human beings to live in security and peace represents a pressing demand that cannot be waived or compromised in any way." He described as "unacceptable" all attempts to exploit the universal human rights principles and use them as a pretext to infiltrate societies and violate their specific cultural and civiliasational features, to put civil peace at risk and to interfere in countries' domestic affairs. HRH Prince Khalifa stressed that need to continue the efforts of the International Community to enhance sustainable development and achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) so as to ensure economic and social welfare through which human rights can be consolidated and protected. He called upon the international community to adopt a comprehensive vision to deal with the various threats and crises threatening many regions, promote the culture of peace and achieve the goals outlined in the UN Charter. He affirmed that the celebration of the Human Rights Day should pave the way for concerted international efforts to consolidate the bases of an international system based on justice and mutual respect for the aim of ensuring a positive environment for all nations and peoples to live in peace, security and prosperity. "Rights require duties, and therefore the consolidation of human rights on the ground will not yield positive results unless all members of society assume their duties towards their nation, particularly maintaining national gains, participating positively in development and modernisation efforts, denouncing violence and extremism and countering attempts to spread chaos and destruction." HRH Premier criticised "destructive" attempts to use human rights principles and values to spread chaos, and sow divisions and discord by groups who ignore the fact that the sole goal of those principles, which had been approved by all peoples and confirmed by divine religions, is to ensure all human beings are secure and hlive decently. He emphasised that respect and protection of human rights in the kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, are basic pillars of comprehensive development, based on the belief that preserving the citizens' dignity, protecting their rights and meeting their needs are the goal of every government effort. HRH Premier reiterated Bahrain's commitment to respecting and honouring its international obligations, noting that the National Action Charter and the constitution consolidated human rights protection for all, without exception or exclusion. He said the kingdom guaranteed the principles of equality among the citizens in rights and duties without distinction, regardless of race, language, religion, gender and opinion, making it a role model of "constructive co-existence among sects and religions", and a symbol of dialogue among civilisations and cultures. He added that the tendentious allegations aiming at distorting the kingdom's honourable image are no longer useful, given the facts on the ground that refute them. HRH the Prime Minister said that the parliamentary and municipal elections held recently in the kingdom within a fair and transparent atmosphere, with the massive participation of segments of the Bahraini people, proved to the whole world Bahrain's sound approach, and keenness to enable all its citizens to shape the future of their homeland, being both an alienable right and a national duty. He said that through their high turnout, the citizens confirmed their strong desire to contribute to building on the hard-won achievements and bring about more landmark gains. HRH Premier praised HM the King's initiative to establish an Arab Court for Human Rights, to be headquartered in Bahrain and to be in charge of developing human rights principles and prevent their violation, similarly to European, American and African human rights courts. He added that such a pioneering initiative had been endorsed by the Arab League and will be established in the near future. He affirmed the Government of Bahrain's support to all efforts aiming to build a pluralistic civil society that consolidates positive developments regarding freedoms and openness and ensure that freedom of opinion and expression are guaranteed for all. HRH Premier lauded the crucial role by the UN and its Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the sake of consolidating and protecting human rights, adding that Bahrain is working closely with the relevant UN human rights bodies, as part of its unwavering commitment to backing every collective effort that contributes to promoting global security, stability and peace.