Arab, Bahraini lawmakers reject EU resolution adopted without fact-checking

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini and Arab lawmakers came down heavily yesterday on their counterpart in the European Parliament for adopting a resolution degrading the rights situation in the Kingdom without conducting due diligence. 

The Arab Parliament, reiterating its categorical rejection of the EU resolution, said the statement reflects “absolute ignorance of the realities of the situation in Bahrain.”

Continuing to move ahead with such resolutions “might impair the Arab-European relations and put it to the test,” Arab parliamentarians warned. 

Arab lawmakers viewed the statements as “systematic and intentional targeting to distort the enormous reforms and developments witnessed in Bahrain.”

The lawmakers also requested the European lawmakers to take care of the minorities and refugees exposed to continuous violations in European societies. 

 Arab lawmakers also urged the European Parliament to refrain from “politicising human rights issues and use it a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of Bahrain.”

Arab MPs further called on the Arab states to ignore such suspicious resolutions while expressing their “strong” rejection of the “unacceptable vocabulary and lordly manner adopted” in the statement. 

“Blatant interference” Reflecting the views of their Arab counterparts, Bahraini lawmakers also expressed their strong condemnation of the European Parliament’s decision against the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

EU lawmakers, Bahraini MPs said, are using human rights as a tool to achieve the goals of countries hostile to the Kingdom. 

“What they are trying to do is to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom and reduce convicted terrorists,” the parliamentarians said.  

“This is contrary to the international efforts to combat Terrorism and the drying up of its sources.”

The parliamentarians also called the EU resolution a “blatant interference on the Bahraini judiciary, which is fair and impartial.” The judiciary in the Kingdom, the lawmakers said, guarantees the rights and ensures impartial trial to all. 

The parliamentarians also viewed that the EU lawmakers for adopting the resolution had turned a blind eye to achievements in human rights and the reform process of the Kingdom.

In this regard, the parliamentarians renewed the official invitation by the speaker of the parliament to the European Parliament members to visit the Kingdom and closely examine the rights situation, the progress and development online. 

 “Double-standard approach” Deputy Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee, Deputy Bassem Al-Maliki, expressed his rejection of the EU resolution calling it an “unacceptable and blatant interference” in the internal affairs of the Kingdom. 

Al Maliki also called the resolution a “continuation of the hostile and double-standard approach” followed by the parties seeking to destabilise Bahrain and tarnish its reputation. 

The report contradicts the facts and the higher standards Bahrain maintain in the rights situation.

In this regard, Al-Maliki pointed out the modern penal system and the current approach to the open prison system. 

Subversive agendas Chairman of the services committee, Ahmed Al Ansari, denounced the European Parliament resolution stating that the report contradicts and ignores the advance rights situation in the Kingdom. 

Bahrain, he said, is one of the first countries in the world to implement the alternative punishment system to modernise its judicial system. 

He also highlighted the achievements of the Kingdom in battling the pandemic without discriminating against citizens and residents. 

“The resolution does not reflect the continued efforts of Bahrain to promote human rights,” Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee Deputy Chairman Al Dosari said. 

“Such reports rely mainly on falsifying facts to serve foreign subversive agendas targeting national security.”

“The EU resolution is unilateral and ignored human rights strides,” he said, urging the European Parliament to reconsider its reports and observe transparency.

Unacceptable interference Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Abdulrahman Al Asoomi described the resolutions as a flagrant and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs, in breach of international laws and conventions and parliamentary norms.

Al Asoomi also questioned, “What authority does the EU Parliament had over non-European countries and societies to assess their rights situation that too by relying on suspicious sources.” 

He said that such resolutions have no legal or political values, adding that they unjustifiably defame human rights achievements and guaranteed liberties of Bahrain, which won international recognition.

No to guardianship The head of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee, Muhammad Al- Sisi Al-Buainain, called the relationship between the EU and Bahrain as deep-rooted and friendly. 

“But, we will not allow any attempt to impose a guardianship on the people of Bahrain, represented by an elected council.” 

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and  National Security  Committee of the House of Representatives said,” Issuing such a statement without consulting the Bahraini parliament or its people constitutes a blatant violation.”

The Committee expressed its deep regret at the European Parliament on this matter, which contradicts the principles and foundations of parliamentary work.