Bahrain backs Qatari proposal to criminalise hate speech at IPU assembly
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain Shura Council Speaker Sayyid Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh, lent his support yesterday to a Qatari proposal to add an “emergency clause” criminalising hate speech at the 146th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Al Saleh, who led the delegation of the Parliamentary Division of Bahrain, explained that the proposed clause would criminalise contempt for religions, hatred, and intolerance.
He also expressed hope for its approval during the IPU meeting, stating that it was urgently needed given the current circumstances around the globe.
Additionally, Al Saleh highlighted a call made by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the international community to strengthen legislative and technical cooperation for an international agreement to criminalise religious, sectarian, and racist hate speech in all its forms.
He also mentioned the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, established as a bright station in Bahrain’s history, is a pioneering step in promoting values of humanity. Al Saleh also reminded IPU participants that investing in human beings and building their minds to be productive and influential was essential for the formation of comprehensive and interdependent societies capable of contributing to sustainable development.
He further stressed the need for parliamentarians to intensify their efforts to achieve peace, co-existence, and tolerance among all countries worldwide to overcome the difficult circumstances faced today.
Al Bazar hails empowerment of women in Bahrain
On another occasion yesterday, Deputy Chair of the foreign affairs committee in the Egyptian parliament Sahar Al Bazar praised Bahrain’s commitment to empowering women to reach political leadership positions, which she said, makes the international community applaud Bahrain.
“There is a lot of progress and empowerment of women in Bahrain, and this is something that we all see and praise. As Arabs we’re very proud and happy to see this is happening,” she said. Al Bazar expressed concerns over the obstacles that women might face in the parliamentary field.
“Women might face obstacles in the elections because some men would prefer voting for other men due to the mistrust in the capabilities of women.”
Laws are the same for men and women in Belgium: D’Hose
Belgian Senate President Stephanie D’Hose said that in her country, laws are the same for men and women.
“We have reached equality at the law level, but on the moral level, we still have so much work to do because I’m the youngest president of the parliaments ever, and I often happen to see that people do not trust me,” D’Hose said. She stressed the importance of talking about equal rights for women in international forums to persuade young men that women have the same status in society.
“When I attend a conference, and my collaborator, who is an older man, accompanies me, they think he is the president. So, the one thing we can do in Belgium is to give examples, good examples of our power as women.”
Meanwhile, High-level Speakers from various countries gathered for the second day of the 146th IPU Assembly for a General Debate on “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance.”
The debate was moderated by IPU Assembly President Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam. During the debate, the Speaker emphasized the importance of international cooperation in bringing positive change and working towards solutions for the economic and social damage caused by the pandemic, climate change, and immigration.
Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi expressed full support for Bahrain by regularly participating in international forums held in the Kingdom. South Korean National Assembly Member Park Yong-jin praised Bahrain’s culture of mutual respect and compromise religiously and politically, stating that its model of coexistence would lead to further development and could serve as a model for other countries.
In his speech, Yong-jin emphasized the need to combat extremism and promote principles of consideration, kindness, and tolerance. The IPU Assembly will continue until March 15, and it was announced that the 147th IPU Assembly will be held in Angola in October.
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