Bahrain responds to Swiss UNHRC representative

The Delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain gave a statement in response to the joint statement made by the representative of the Swiss Confederation on behalf of a group of Western countries on the situation of human rights in Bahrain, which was given on the sidelines of the twenty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council that was held in Geneva from 9 to 27 September 2013, where the Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Office at Geneva H.E. Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Abdul- Karim Bucheery, said that the joint statement had referred to the importance of the cooperation of Bahrain with the Office of the High Commissioner for human Rights, and he emphasized in this context that Bahrain is one of the most cooperative in working with the Council, its international mechanisms and the UNHCR office. He pointed as evidence to the success of the visit of the high - level technical team from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Bahrain in December of last year; a visit has been characterized by transparency and positive attitude. He also stressed that the delegation of the Kingdom is working very seriously and are determined to follow up the outcomes of this visit to be translated into programs and projects that can be implemented and achieved on the ground. He reiterated in this context the Kingdom 's full readiness to deal with and in a constructive and bilateral manner to reviewing the terms of reference for the follow - up visit of the technical team, and to reach a comprehensive agreement and a specific date for the team’s visit in the near future . He also said that Bahrain is looking forward to the High Commissioner for Human Rights visit, in order to verify the reality of the developments and achievements on the ground. The Permanent Representative also noted that hat was mentioned about canceling the visit of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, by the kingdom of Bahrain was untrue , because Bahrain requested a postponement of the visit and is considering the appropriate time for it. He also noted that even if that statement praised the constructive steps and work done by the Kingdom of Bahrain, such as establishing The General-Secretariat for Grievances and the continuity of the national consensus dialogue, however, it detracts greatly from the efforts made by the Kingdom and offends its true picture, as following the rise of violence both quantitatively and qualitatively including the use of homemade explosives to target places of worship, and parks, the National Council has recommended a number of recommendations that contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in the Bahraini society and in particular in its sixteenth recommendation where it states on prohibition of violating fundamental freedoms, so as to create a balance between law enforcement and the preservation of human rights , including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression without undermining the activities of human rights defenders . In addition, and in order to reaffirm Bahrain’s commitment to international covenants and laws on human rights , Ambassador Bucheery said that Bahrain had previously re- considered all of the issues and lawsuits that have been decided in the national safety courts, and transferring them to civil courts in January 2012 to ensure the due process of law before, and he added that all charges related to freedom of expression were dropped in April of 2012 and regarding the issue of the decision to withdraw nationality from individuals, Ambassador Bucheery had clarified that the law was implemented in accordance with conditions affecting national security as approved by the Bahraini law and public international law, adding that the possibility of consideration of appeals is available to all before the judiciary. Also, in confirming the keenness of the Kingdom of Bahrain on the maintenance of rights and freedoms and following the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, the permanent representative reviewed the mechanisms set by the Kingdom of to hold accountable those involved in violence and ill-treatment by establishing a Special Investigations unit at the Office of the Attorney General and establishing The Ombudsman Office at the Ministry of the Interior , as well as the National Foundation for Human rights, and the UN High Commissioner for protection of the rights of prisoners and detainees , which all are considered as mechanisms following the highest international standards mandated in the principles of Istanbul and Paris. The Permanent Representative assured the commitment of Bahrain to continue to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) , as it will be presenting its voluntary report during the middle of next year and also promising to continue to promote national political reconciliation through the continuation of national dialogue sessions , as well as the declaration of the Arab League of approving the Kingdom of Bahrain to be permanent headquarters of the Arab Court of human rights, which came as a proposal of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, stemming from the belief of the importance of human rights. At the conclusion of his word, Ambassador Bucheery refused the feasibility of the joint statement, which was similar to previous data that have been reviewed before the Board and which lacked objectivity and impartiality in presenting the real situation in Bahrain. He stressed that it was important to give appropriate opportunity and set a climate that promotes the process of implementing the recommendations of the independent Commission of Inquiry, as well as the completion of the national dialogue initiative by achieving consensus and involvement of various spectra and configurations of the political community in the country leading to reach common goals and objectives which strengthen national unity away from violence and shameful illegal practices, in order to improve the present and future of Bahrain and Bahrainis , instead of sending messages that are trending in the negative opposite direction.