During the second phase of the meetings, kick-started on Wednesday, Shaikh Khalid said that the kingdom is looking forward to promoting dialogue as a permanent way of dealing with differing visions and tacking public issues, with an institutional framework based on respect of the principles of pluralism and difference, which will encourage self-assessment and accountability and consolidate the atmosphere of confidence and reconciliation.
The Minister highlighted the initiatives and steps taken by the kingdom within a comprehensive vision focusing on establishing the pillars of the supremacy of the law and enhancing national reconciliation for the aim of overcoming the impacts of the recent events and protecting national achievements.
He cited the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, the commitment to hold by-elections, the National Consensus Dialogue, the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), including eminent international personalities, the setting up of the National Committee in Charge of Follow up on the Implementation of BICI’s recommendations and the creation of a special committee in charge of implementing the remaining BICI recommendations.
The Minister also called upon all sides to participate and create a positive for reaching agreements so as to increase national achievements and protect the kingdom’s distinctive historical and cultural features, stressing that using violence as a means to achieve political gains will yield no results, and is rejected by all political and social groups.
He also emphasized that strong condemnation of all forms of violence and acts of sabotage aiming to undermine national security and stability are among the basic requirements for the needed positive atmosphere.
Shaikh Khalid added that respect of the law, political pluralism and national consensus are the best ways to demand reform and constant democratic development and promote democracy as an advanced means to manage differences.
The Justice Minister also called for the need to respect the Judicial Authority’s independence and rulings so as to lay the foundation of law and justice and ensure that the rights of all sides are guaranteed in all litigation stages, denouncing in the strongest terms the calls for interference in the judicial process.