Upon a request from the Minister of Interior, and a desire to provide further legal protection to security personnel while they are on duty, the cabinet endorsed the compilation of a Bill of Law for modification of some provisions of the Penal Code in order to ensure stricter punishment against crimes of physical assault on security men so that penalty becomes 15 years in prison to cover both instigators and implementers. Therefore, the cabinet tasked the competent body to prepare the necessary legal instrument, according to required speed, in order to refer the said Bill of Law to the legislative authority.
The cabinet commended the role and huge efforts of public security men, and praised their alertness in foiling recurrent attempts at destabilizing security, and praised their high morale and discipline despite the dangers and escalations they are facing.
The cabinet urged religious clergymen and community leaders as well as all activists and citizens to cooperate with the public security in maintaining civil peace and to avoid any drifting into a cycle of sectarianism, violence or vandalism. The cabinet also praised in this regard the responsible efforts of the legislative authorities – i.e. the Shura Council and the House of Representatives – both of whom condemned the provocative calls and supported the government efforts in maintain security and stability.
His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister chaired the regular, weekly cabinet meeting this morning in Gudaibiya Palace. Cabinet Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed issued a detailed summary of the weekly cabinet meeting.
In compliance with the ordinance of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, the Cabinet allocated Sunday’s cabinet session to the discussion of security situation and its follow up.
The Minister of Interior Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa informed the cabinet on a comprehensive presentation about latest violence and security violations which took place in the Kingdom.
The cabinet expressed sorrow in view of the increasingly growing provocative calls which instigate the targeting of security personnel – these provocative calls come from forums, website, social networks or practically during unlicensed demonstrations and gatherings which have nothing to do with peacefulness, calls for reformation, freedom of expression or democracy.
The cabinet stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain currently undergoes an important historical phase of accomplishments and reformation in response to the recommendations of the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry and in coordination and cooperation with the National Commission for Implementation and Follow-up of BICI’s recommendations in order to implement the views of the national consensus dialogue and this calls for cooperation and contribution from all community members and close collective work in support of national unity for the sake of a prosperous future for the Kingdom and the welfare of all of its citizens.