HM King’s reforms key in promoting rights march: Al Doseri

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s reform approach has contributed largely in strengthening the “march of human rights” in the Kingdom, said Assistant Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabur Al Doseri, yesterday.

Speaking during a ceremony held by the Council of Representatives on the occasion of the Arab Human Rights Day, Al Doseri said, “The Council of Representatives is one of the results of the reform approach of His Majesty the King, which granted citizens the opportunity to elect those who represent them in the parliament.”

Held under the theme “the role of the government institutions in activating the human rights principles of the National Action Charter”, the meeting raised awareness on the importance of human rights and highlighted the achievements of Bahrain in this regard. 

The Minister stressed that the Council, through its legislative role, was successful in guaranteeing all the natural rights of the citizen including “the right to life, freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of religion and belief.” 

Al Doseri pointed out that the theme chosen by the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights at its 42nd session to commemorate the day was titled “Human Rights and Sustainable Development,” on which the Kingdom has placed great importance, especially the goals of sustainable development 2030. 

He added that the Kingdom has highlighted this through its reports to the United Nations, which also reinforces Bahrain’s commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and integrating them into national development plans and successive government programmes of action. 

On the role of civil society organisations, the Assistant Foreign Minister said, “There are over 600 civil societies registered in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and these societies practice their activities freely, including human rights societies, for whom the country provided wide opportunities for legal work.”

Al Doseri also drew attention towards the financial support and training programmes developed for these societies.