Bahrain’s democratic, reform strides irrevocable

Manama, June 3 (BNA): Bahrain has embarked on a pioneering democratic process to enforce the rule of the law and strengthen gains. Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Rumaihi said that the landmark process, which he described as a Bahraini strategic option, is irrevocable. He stressed Bahrain’s resolve to pursue the process unabated so as to consolidate development and reform gains by guaranteeing peaceful freedom of expression through legitimate channels, including the Parliament, civil institutions as well as free and pluralistic mass media. In a statement to London-based Al-Hayat newspaper, he said that the court sentences handed down to convicts indicted in security-related cases do not prejudice Bahrain’s respect for human rights and freedom of expression. "The verdicts emanated from an honest and independent judicial authority which ensured all guarantees for a fair trial in compliance with the 2020 penal code", he said. "The defendants were allowed to hire defence lawyers and solemn and transparent trials were held in the presence of the media, NGOs and the right to challenge the court sentences was guaranteed", he added. The minister said that political opinions do not involve sectarian and racist mantra, calls to topple the political regime by force, acts of violence and sabotage and seeking overseas assistance to gain internal clout. "These are crimes against the nation, citizens and humanity under the law on protecting society from terrorism and international covenants, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966" he said. The Kingdom of Bahrain, the minister said, has been targeted since 2011 by a campaign of violence, sabotage and terrorism which left 19 policemen dead and more than 3,000 others wounded. He cited other terrorist plots which were foiled by competent Bahraini security agencies, in cooperation with GCC states, in addition to the Iranian and foreign-backed defamatory subversive media and political campaigns aimed to destabilize societies undermine their security and forment sectarianism and hatred. The minister expressed confidence that conscious-minded Bahrainis would always stand united with their political leadership, commit to constitutional legitimacy, renounce violence and terrorism and thwart hostile external designs. He said that diverse peaceful channels exist in Bahrain to participate in the government, affirming Bahrain’s commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and tolerance between religions, cultures and civilizations. The people of Bahrain, he said have proved their political maturity, as the turnout in the 2014 parliamentary elections exceeded 52.6% while the municipal turn-out stood at 59.1%, all despite the boycott announced by some political associations which bowed to extremist religious fatwas that denied people an opportunity to exercise their democratic right. "The 2012 constitutional amendments expanded the Parliament’s oversight on the executive branch of government", he said, adding that the strides contributed to upgrading national legislations in compliance with international rights standards. He stressed the crucial role of the amendments which bolstered the administrative and finance independence of the judicial branch, pointing out that the Constitutional Court, which was established in 2002, exercises its role inensuring the constitutionality of laws. The minister highlighted other strides in Bahrain, citing particularly the National Institution of Human Rights, the Special Investigation Unit, which is affiliated to the Public Prosecution, in addition to the Interior Ministry’s Ombudsman, the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission and the National Security Agency’s Inspector General. The minister commended the contribution of the vibrant civil society made up so far by 22 political societies, 617 social, cultural and women associations which, he said, support the march of sustainable development through peaceful means and legitimate goals, without prejudicing religious and national unity and subverting the public security. Al-Rumaihi said the media flourished since the reform project was launched, citing in this regard 60 daily and periodical newspapers and magazine which enriched the media landscape in Bahrain. "The High Authority for Media and Communication was also established in June 2013 in Bahrain to ensure all information outlets comply with the code of press ethics", he said.