Bahrain attends 31st UNHRC High-level Session in Geneva

The delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, led by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari in the high- level part of the 31st session of the Human Rights Council, held in the Geneva-based Palais des Nations.

In a speech on the occasion, the Assistant Minister affirmed the constant cooperation of the Kingdom of Bahrain with the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and other UN mechanisms and agencies and its keenness to continue cooperating with the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner in order to sustain the international efforts aimed to protect and underpin human rights.

It also shares with the international community their concern regarding the unrest and violations of human rights taking place in many parts of the world to endanger human’s rights to life, security and peace.

He noted that violence and extremism are the biggest challenges that threaten world security and peace and lead to dangerous effects on humans’ rights to live in security and with dignity as well as they have a substantial negative impact on the principles of International Human Law, notably with the recent rise of numerous terrorist and extremist organizations..

He explained that Bahrain’s unflinching position in renunciation of terrorism and extremism stems from its religious and human values and emanates from the firm belief that a national, regional or global anti-terrorism strategy needs further multilateral efforts, affirming Bahrain’s commitment to legal regulations to combat violence and terrorism, to implementing international human rights standards and effectively participating in the global anti-terrorism alliance.

He pointed out to the initiatives that the Kingdom of Bahrain has taken including the international conference on dialogue among civilizations, religions and cultures in May 2012 and the international Conference to combat the financing of terrorism in November 2014, the hosting of Manama Dialogue on an annual basis, extending a helping hand and offering humanitarian aid to war victims in Syria and Yemen along other countries through the construction of schools, hospitals and housing complexes for the refugees.

As part of a bid to consolidate rights, freedom of thought and belief of its citizens and respect for women's rights and their empowerment politically, socially and economically, the Assistant Minister cited the achievements of the Kingdom ascribing them to the reform plan of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continued support by the government and the existing accord among all the community segments.

All these, he said, made of the kingdom of Bahrain a model worth emulating at the international level, according to UN reports where it excelled in human resources development, ICT and the knowledge-based society.

He pointed to Bahrain’s achievement of the MDGs ahead of the 2030 deadline, being well on track in implementing the post 2015 STGs, succeeding in the reformation of the labour market and cutting down unemployment rates to 3.1%, successfully implementing the insurance against unemployment plan and in respecting the rights of the expatriate labour and in the fight against trafficking in human beings.

His Excellency affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, out of keenness to consolidate its partnership ties with prestigious international organizations, it is now readying its 3rd national UPR after having completed the voluntary report in September 2014 and presenting it to the committee against torture in September. 


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