Bahrain participates in UN general debate

Geneva, June 27 (BNA): Bahraini Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, participated in the general debate on the oral update of the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The debate was held under item (2) of the 41st Session of the UNHRC agenda at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from June 24 to July 12. He expressed his appreciation to Ms. Michelle Bachelet for her tireless efforts at various levels to protect and promote human rights, especially in light of the unprecedented challenges and crises facing all societies without exception. Dr. Bucheeri affirmed that Bahrain agrees on the importance of the order of priority of the thematic issues, which the High Commissioner opted for in tackling social, economic and cultural rights. The Kingdom, he said, encourages and commends these agenda items, particularly those relating to climate change and sustainable development along with the importance of giving greater attention to the human rights challenges posed by the world of digital technology. The ambassador added that Bahrain agrees with the High Commissioner on the need for both sides to confront the speech of hatred, violence and extremism to put an end to this phenomenon in accordance with the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. “Hate speech in its turn leads to acts of violence and infringement of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, so we all have to work on opening wider areas of dialogue between different segments of society, based on the principles of tolerance and acceptance of the other,” he noted. Bahrain, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has already established and strengthened through a number of initiatives and qualitative steps, the most recent of which was the establishment of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, he added. The center, he explained, aims to promote a culture of peace, openness and coexistence among different cultures, religions and races at the international level. Dr. Bucheeri said the Kingdom looks forward to closer joint action with the Office of the High Commissioner to enhance technical cooperation and build national capacities between the two sides. “The joint action would be a step forward to achieving the goals and joint projects and advancing the promotion and protection of human rights,” he said. The ambassador expressed Bahrain’s openness and full readiness to deal with any ideas and initiatives going in this direction.