Cabinet hails Bahrain rights progress report

TDT | Manama                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Cabinet has commended a UK report removing the Kingdom of Bahrain from the priority countries’ list for human rights concerns.

Last Thursday, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the UK published the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2022, acknowledging Bahrain’s progress in human rights, which is a result of comprehensive development led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, yesterday chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. On the occasion of the upcoming Islamic Hijri new year 1445 AH, the Cabinet extended its best wishes to HM the King and HRH Prince Salman, the citizens and residents of Bahrain, as well as to all other Arab and Islamic nations.

The Cabinet affirmed the importance of the official visit by His Royal Highness to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, where His Royal Highness met with HRH Prince William of Wales, the Prime Minister of the UK, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, and other senior officials.

The Cabinet affirmed its commitment to expedite the implementation of the agreements and MoUs signed during the visit, which will contribute to advancing cooperation between the two countries in the economic, investment, financial, banking, education, and training fields.

It followed up on preparations for Ashura in the Kingdom’s governorates, highlighting the efforts by the Ministry of Interior and other concerned ministries and authorities to meet all Ashura-related requirements.

The Cabinet reviewed a memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance that covered the quarterly economic report of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first quarter of 2023.

According to the report, the non-oil sector recorded growth of 3.5% year-on-year at constant prices, and the overall economy recorded 2.0% annual growth at constant prices. During the meeting, the Cabinet discussed several memoranda, approving the following: 1.

A memorandum from the Minister of Interior on the establishment of a special platform to exchange information between GCC countries for combating money laundering, financing terrorism, and other related crimes 2.

A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to 10 proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives and a proposed law submitted by the Shura Council.