He made the comments as he received at Gudaibiya Palace a delegation from the EU Parliament and the British House of Lords, currently on visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. “Respect of human rights is a key pillar of the Government’s policies”, he said.
He also reaffirmed the Government’s drive to protect human rights and ensure decent living conditions for all citizens in Bahrain. “These rights benefit all people in Bahrain, citizens and expatriates”, he said, stressing the Government keenness on the rights of expatriates living and working in Bahrain and ensuring them all the guarantees warranting them decent living conditions and respect of their rights.
HRH the Premier updated the delegation on the recent events in Bahrain, pointing out the way the Government addressed them as part of its firm keenness to maintain security and stability in the Kingdom and ensure people live in harmony and civic peace.
He also underlined the transparency and probity which marked the recent parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrain, stressing the active participation of citizens in decision-making process. “This is the evidence that popular will is the source of power in the Kingdom of Bahrain”, he said.
“Bahrain’s fledgling democracy is getting stronger and more mature”, he said, pointing out HM King Hamad’s initiative to launch the National Dialogue.
He also outlined HM the King’s initiative establishing the Royal Independent Fact-Finding Commission, which comprises international recognized experts famed for their competence. “HM The King’s key initiatives prove Bahrain’s transparency in the international community and its civilized ways.”
Bahrain is open to the world and interacts with its surroundings”, he said, stressing the Kingdom’s firm keenness to reach out to all countries, cooperate with them and benefit from all international expertise in all fields.
He also affirmed Bahrain’s firm keenness to be an active actor, regionally and internationally. HRH the Premier reviewed with the delegation relations of cooperation bonding the EU member states and Bahrain, stressing bilateral ties which are based on friendship and mutual respect.
He spotlighted EU-Bahraini parliamentary relations, pointing out Bahrain’s legislative strides and efforts to anchor the bases of democracy and popular participation.
He also reaffirmed Bahrain’s keenness to continue this experience and build on its results to promote democracy and ensure a better future for the nation and citizens.
The EU delegation chief hailed the Premier’s views, stressing that the delegation members would convey what they saw as well as their meetings in Bahrain. They also hailed the Kingdom’s aspiration to ensure more achievements, regarding democratic strides, decent standards of living as well as the development of its legislations and commitments to international human rights criteria.