Praises pour in over Bahrain’s UNHRC membership victory

Praises poured in from various quarters as the Kingdom secured a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) on Friday after winning 165 votes. This victory is the fruitful outcome of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s policies which ensured the respect for and protection of human rights, and paved the way for reforms in various fields through the National Action Charter and the Constitution, the main sources of human rights in the kingdom, the National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR) said in a statement.

The NIHR stressed that winning the UNHRC’s membership places a huge responsibility on the shoulders of everybody in the kingdom, noting that Bahrain’s joining the council alongside countries with advanced human rights record is considered a global recognition of the constitutional and institutional reforms spearheaded by the political leadership.

The NIHR asserted that Bahrain has seriously and continuously strived to consolidate and protect the principles of human rights in accordance with international conventions, and enhanced its cooperation with all efforts exerted by the International Community to develop the human rights situation.

The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) hailed the milestone achievement. SCW Secretary-General Hala Al Ansari said the success represents a global vote of confidence that acknowledges Bahrain’s ability to disseminating and consolidating the culture of human rights.

She commended Bahrain’s access to the UNHRC as an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom’s strides in protecting and promoting women’s rights, citing particularly the UN adoption of the of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa’s Global Award for Women Empowerment. Bahrain has already been elected as a member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the 2017-2021 term and the UN Women Executive Council (2017-2019).