Congress Committee hearing on Bahrain slammed

Manama, Sep. 9 (BNA): The discussion of the human rights situation in Bahrain by the "Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission" during a hearing today at the US Congress has been slammed by Member of Council of Representatives Hamad Al-Dossary. The participation of persons with well-known extremist stances against Bahrain and its people, and the reliance on information and accounts from unilateral sources, and without contacting the representatives of the Bahraini people or the national human rights figures and institutions, affirm the misleading bias and support to law violators in a bid to grant them immunity while threatening the kingdom’s security and interests, he said. The interference in the kingdom’s internal affairs is unacceptable, jeoperdizes Bahrain-US relations and interests, and reinforces the conviction among the Bahraini, the GCC, Arab and Islamic public opinion that some US parties and personalities are not impartial or credible and persist in taking stances that lack commitment to the principles of human rights, justice and responsible freedom, he added. MP Al-Dossary affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a state of law and institution, and is keen on safeguarding its security and stability, protecting the interests of the citizens and residents. "Bahrain boasts of an independent, fair and just Judiciary and no one interferes in its terms of reference or rulings, and we reject attempts to cast doubt on it or exert pressure on it by any party, whether local or foreign," he said, stressing that the Judicial Branch in the kingdom guarantees fair litigation procedures for suspects and convicts clearly and transparently, in accordance with the provisions of the Bahraini Constitution and laws. He stressed that the legal measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain are similar to those taken by other countries that are committed to the rule of law and are keen on protecting their societies from terrorism, and the USA is among those countries. "Combating terrorism and enforcing the law against inciters and law-breakers are legitimate rights for all countries, and the US Congress committee should have stressed the importance of committing to rights and duties stipulated by the Law and the Constitution instead of trying to support terrorists, instigators and law-violators, in the midst of the political developments witnessed by many countries, and in light of Bahrain’s participation in the International Coalition to Fight Terrorism," he said. Such moves prove anew that efforts to spread chaos in Yemen, Iraq and Syria by some international parties and Iran is part of a scandalous plan of which Arab and GCC peoples have become aware, he said, stressing the national security of Bahrain and GCC is a top priority. Al-Dossary pointed out that Bahrain is keener on providing and ensuring human rights for its citizens than others, in light of its positive developments, and civilisational human rights initiatives, at the legislative and institutional levels, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. It has also implemented the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), and promoted the human rights culture in its practices, procedures and even school curricula, he added. MP Al-Dossary called on US congressmen to urge their colleagues to re-consider their biased stances against Bahrain, enhance contacts with the representatives of the Bahraini people to be informed about facts transparently, support economic joint ventures between the two friendly countries, as well as parliamentary cooperation. He welcomed the visit by any US Congressman to the Council of Representatives to gather first-hand information about the real situation in Bahrain and hold meetings with the representatives of the people. He emphasised that the terrorist acts targeting Bahrain are the result of the blatant interference by the Iranian regime, noting that such meddling, including the support, training and funding of terrorists, continuous media campaigns, attempts to spread the Wilayat Al-Faqih doctrine that poses a serious threat to the region’s security and stability, and expansion ambitions, which are recognised by US officials, is documented by compelling evidence and information. He asserted that Bahrain’s Constitution and the National Action Charter, which was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the Bahraini people, have consolidated equality between the citizens in rights and duties, noting that there is no prisoner of opinion in Bahrain and that there is no excess in enforcing the law. Anyone who poses a threat to national security, harms national unity, or seeks to incite sedition, cause damage to public and private interests, practise terrorism and violence, abuse the guaranteed responsible freedom of opinion and expression will be subject to legal accountability, and no one is an exception, he said. He affirmed that no one is above the law, no matter what his position, activity or fame is, explaining that the security of the nation and the rights of citizens and residents are given top priority and are duties that are assumed by the State which is keen on enforcing the Law transparently.