In unison against Iranian acts

Manama  : The first edition of the pan-Arab Forum was organised at the Gulf Hotel yesterday by the Arab Federation for Human Rights (AFHR). It was held under the theme “No Rights Without Security.”

According to the organisers, the symposium aims at confronting the Iranian interference and hostility in the region, in partnership with all effective Arab parties.

A large number of parliamentarians, diplomats, speakers and experts from different GCC and Arab countries attended the three-hour-long forum, which was organised under the patronage of Bahrain’s Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Mulla.

Bahrain’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security and Human Rights Parliamentary Committees Deputy Chairman Mohammed Al Jowder attended the event on behalf of Al Mulla.

In his address, Al Jowder said, “Democracy and freedom are based on a secured environment. By ensuring security, we’ll enjoy democracy and freedom. There is no compromise or development, without maintaining security.” 

He commented: “The Iranian regime has continued to interfere in Arabian countries’ internal affairs, embracing terrorism and violating the rights of the Iranians of Arab origins in Ahwaz Province and other minorities.”

Speaking on the occasion, AFHR President Ahmed Al Hamli pointed out the international declaration of human rights and other related international agreements, which affirm the importance of security to guarantee human rights for all.

“The bond between security and human rights is strong. Their fates are well connected. We must protect the political systems in our States, so they could ensure that all rights are granted to citizens. Unstable governments can’t ensure rights and decent living to its citizens,” Al Hamli opined.

“The main threat to human rights in our region is sectarianism. The latest events showed that the only party in the region that’s clearly depending on racism and sectarianism to implement its policies is Iran,” he added.