Bahraini human rights minister meets Palestinian permanent representative

Human Rights Minister Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman and his accompanying delegation met Palestinian Permanent Representative and Arab Group Coordinator Ambassador Dr. Ibrahim Kharichi on the sidelines of the 24th periodic session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). He said Bahrain is working on the implementation of the recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), the Human Rights Council and the National Assembly. The minister updated the Palestinian diplomat on the (UNHRC) recommendations which have been implemented so far, adding that Bahrain would submit a voluntary progress report to the UNHRC next year for review. He noted that Bahrain has carried out 127 recommendations so far. He said a Supreme Human Rights Coordination Committee was set up to follow on the implementation of the recommendations and look into issues pertaining to the human rights situation in Bahrain. He added that many of BICI recommendations have been carried out fully or partially, stressing the government's resolve to implement all of them and citing steps taken in this respect. He described the Arab League's decision to have the permanent Headquarters of the Arab Court for Human Rights in Bahrain as a pioneering Arab step and a gain to the Arab people. He explained that the European Union got a clearer view of the human rights situation in Bahrain after a visit by its personal representative to the kingdom. Dr. Salah outlined the legislations passed by the National Assembly amid popular exasperation with the escalation of violence and the alarming changing terror tactics which wreak havoc on public properties and endanger citizens and residents. He explained that the recommendations tackled many issues, putting an emphasis on the need to respect basic rights and freedoms, encourage the national dialogue, foster national unity, launch programmes to rehabilitate the youngsters who are exploited to commit crimes, promote a moderate rhetoric to maintain social fabric, review the educational policy and pass legislations to toughen punishment for the perpetrators of terror acts. On his part, the Palestinian diplomat spotlighted the global situation concerning internal upheavals, pointing out that there are no clear criteria in the international law how to deal with internal tensions and demonstrations. He asserted the importance of not using human rights as a pretext to achieve political ends, pointing out the need for concerted efforts among the Arab countries to support Bahrain.