Bahrain role model for respect for human rights, democracy thanks to National Action Charter: Information Minister

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Information Affairs Minister and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIDP) Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi has lauded the wide-ranging development achievements attained by the Kingdom of Bahrain since the inauguration of the National Action Charter (NAC) two decades ago.

He said that the National Action Charter was the fruitful outcome of a pioneering royal initiative and an unprecedented popular consensus in a historic referendum approved by an overwhelming majority of 98.4% of the citizens, adding that NAC endorsement was a defining moment and a bright phase that led to the establishment of the state of law and constitutional institutions that supports democratic work and responsible media freedoms.

The minister extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the 20th anniversary of the National Action Charters’ endorsement, and the beginning of a new era of reforms, modernisation, sustainable development, as well as media and knowledge creativity, within a modern Constitutional Monarchy.

Al-Romaihi asserted that since the popular consensus on the National Action Charter, Bahrain has strengthened its status as a pioneering model for democratic transformation, and respect for human rights, as well as political and civil freedoms, on top of which are the press and media freedom and the freedom to express one’s opinion, within the context of an integrated system to protect public freedoms.

This is supported by the presence of the Shura and Representatives Councils, a fair and independent judiciary and effective institutions to promote the human rights culture, the bases of enlightened democratic practices and the values of good citizenship, such as the Bahrain Institute for Political Development, the National Institutions for Human Rights and the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, he said.

The Information Minister affirmed that under the leadership of HM King Hamad, Bahrain is resolved to carry on enhancing its civilisational accomplishments following the Constitution and the National Action Charter, within the framework of the national media’s commitment to undertaking its enlightening mission, the BIPD’s continuous role in supporting the sustainable democratic and development march, and consolidating the values of tolerance and national unity, in addition to supporting the tireless efforts of Team Bahrain, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to continue delivering educational services remotely, and raising societal awareness on the precautionary measures to confront the novel coronavirus pandemic.