In this context, the Cabinet asserted that in spite of the critical situation that the Kingdom has gone through recently, freedoms and basic human rights have been respected, which has gained the kingdom international praise voiced during the UN Human Rights Council’s Meeting and the 100th International Labour Organisation Conference in Geneva.
The Cabinet also renewed the Kingdom’s commitment to Human Rights conventions and labour laws, adding that the constitution, by which all have abided during the crisis, is the main guarantor of human rights and basic freedoms. This came as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace the Cabinet weekly meeting. During the meeting, HRH Premeir lauded all popular initiatives aiming to consolidate national unity and manifest loyalty and allegiance to the wise leadership.
“Such cohesion, genuine stances and massive support will make us even more determined to continue the building march in order to bring about more achievements for the dear citizens,” HRH Premier said, adding “a dear people as such deserves all kinds of sacrifices.”
HRH Premier also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the citizens for their positive response towards national initiatives, calling upon them to be more united, cohesive and responsible so as to ensure a better and more prosperous future for the Kingdom.
The Cabinet also welcomed the visits paid recently by major Bahraini families, personalities and functions to the wise leadership, asserting that the move denotes the strong unity and solidarity prevailing among the members of the one-family Bahraini society and reflects the exemplary relationship bonding the leadership and the people.
Then, the Cabinet approved amending Legislative decree no. 28 of 2002 with respect to e-Transaction Law aiming to shorten cheque transaction time by making it one day instead of three, using the cheque printing software. The move is in line with the government’s keenness to improve and develop banking services.
The Cabinet also endorsed the amendments made to the World Bank founding convention which the kingdom acceded according to Decree by Law 15 for the year 1972. Moreover, the Cabinet decided to pay the Kingdom’s financial dues to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and its different agencies. After that, the Cabinet discussed the on-going oil and gas projects, reiterating the government’s resolve to boost such a vital sector in order to increase the kingdom’s revenues and meet the growing development needs of the country. The Cabinet also paid special attention to urban development, asserting that over BD 20 million have been spent on renovating dilapidated houses since 2005, as part of the Cities and Villages Development Project which will carry out 500 other operations in 2011-2011. Concerning handicrafts, the Cabinet decided to transfer the wool spinning and knitting sector from the Industry and Commerce Ministry to the Social Development Ministry in order to upgrade this sector and support its affiliates. Regarding the Ministerial reports, the Cabinet was briefed on the Kingdom’s participation in the International Contact Group on Libya held in Abu Dhabi, the 119th GCC Ministerial Meeting in Jeddah, the Arab Peace Initiative Ministerial Committee in Doha and the 100th ILO Conference in Geneva. Draft laws submitted by the Parliament, as well as other memos, were also discussed during the meeting.