Bahrain’s democratic strides hailed

Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi hailed Bahrain’s strides, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.
“Bahrain has embarked on a pioneering democratic process ever since HM the King launched the reform project”, said the minister, who chairs also the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) Board of Trustees.
He hailed the National Action Charter, a milestone which was endorsed in 2001 by a sweeping majority of 98.4 % of the votes, officially transforming Bahrain into a constitutional monarchy.
The Kingdom of Bahrain, he said, has become a role model for bolstering democratic practices, honing national competences and empowering them to take part actively in the political and public life.
He underlined Bahrain’s drive to strengthen its fledgling democracy, disseminate the responsible political exercise, promote human rights and lay the foundations for parliamentary and municipal work through the state of law and institutions which gained maturity.
He hailed the dedicated efforts of the National Assembly, the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD), the National Institutions for Human Rights (NIHR), the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the Ombudsman and other press and media institutions and national independent committees.
“More than 630 non-governmental political, women and social organizations are exercising their activities in Bahrain”, hailing their crucial contributions to disseminating political and human rights culture and enable citizens to exercise their political, economic, social and cultural rights, in accordance with the constitution and international covenants.
The minister commended the BIPD achievements, ever since it was established by law decree 39 of 2005 and its amendments in 2008 and 2009, haling its contributions to anchoring sound democratic principles in line with law sovereignty.
Citing updated figures, he said that the institute organized last year 86 various functions, specialized programmes, training courses, forums, lectures and national competitions, which benefited a total of 3384 participants, including MPs, municipal councilors, teachers, school and university students, overseas’ students.
The rich programme was carried out in partnership with the legislative branch of government, municipal councils, educational establishments and NGOs”, the minister said, underlining BIPD scientific and research contributions and awareness programmes.
He reiterated BIPD commitment to continue assuming its national duties, in partnership with the legislature and municipal councils, to cement national identity, anchor democratic principles, promote humans rights, instill tolerance and moderation and consolidate partnerships, in the prosperous era of HM the King.

Source: BNA