Human rights official’s remarks draw flak

Manama : Bahraini legislators have slammed the latest remarks made by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein against Bahrain.

In a press statement issued yesterday, Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee member in Shura Council Sawsan Taqawi rejected the fallacies mentioned in Al Hussein’s statements.

“Why would NGOs continue to interfere in Bahraini internal affairs, without mentioning the vast reforms and counter-terrorism procedures taken by the country?” she queried.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain is concerned about human rights fields and works to protect citizens and residents’ rights in accordance with the country’s constitution, domestic laws and international pacts and agreements,” Taqawi stated.

She added, “Bahrain is committed to its international obligations and is constantly providing the United Nations Human Rights Council with periodic reports that should be the council’s reference ahead of issuing such false statements.”

Parliament’s Human Rights Committee Chairman Nasser Al Qasseer reaffirmed the kingdom’s keenness on preserving human rights.

He pointed to the Council of Representatives’ responsibilities in monitoring governmental institutions and their commitment to human rights.

The MP noted that Bahrain is combating terrorism that is backed by foreign parties, asserting that the country’s counter-terrorism procedures are carried out in compliance with the law and independent judicial system. 

“These procedures are followed by democratic countries to protect its societies from terrorism,” Al Qasseer said.

Fellow committee member, MP Mohammed Al Maarifi also slammed the fallacies mentioned in Al Hussein’s report, which disregarded the huge steps taken to strengthen human rights situations in Bahrain following the launch of the reforms project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, even throughout the chaos and terrorism that targeted Bahrain in the years 2006, 2007 and 2011.

“Despite these difficult circumstances and the repeating Iranian interference in Bahrain’s domestic affairs, the kingdom achieved manyt reforms in the fields politics and human rights,” Al Maarifi said.

Questioning the credibility of Al Hussein’s statements, Al Maarifi noted that “it’s strange that Al Hussein’s statements came simultaneously to supportive statement issued by 39 religious clerics and included similar fallacies and accusations against the democratic process in Bahrain.”

Al Hussein mentioned in his statements during the 31st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, “Despite progress made in Bahrain, political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders continue to be silenced by arrests, revocation of citizenship and deportation. Profound reform is still required, to achieve much more inclusive participation.”