Dr. Salah affirmed the solidity of Bahrain-EU coordination, adding that he is looking forward to enhancing cooperation between the Human Rights Affairs Ministry and the EU in order to develop human rights work and promote the principles of human rights respect and protection of human dignity.
He informed the EU’s high official on the human rights situation in Bahrain, noting that the Human Rights Affairs Ministry is currently preparing a national comprehensive plan to promote the human rights culture through state bodies, the private sector and NGOs, using various channels, in order to foster the rule of the law, preserve rights and duties and strengthen the pillars of good governance, which, he said, is the best way to ensure the continuity of the successful human rights, democratic and development marches in the kingdom.
He underlined that Bahrain is making advanced strides within the process of updating its legislative framework and making the necessary consultations and contacts with various human rights personalities and organisation in order to provide training and technical support for institutionalising the human rights work in it, praising the human rights figures and sides’ positive response, cooperation and readiness to enrich the kingdom’s human rights experience.
He pointed out that the EU’s high official’s visit to Bahrain is an opportunity to be informed about the country’s democratic and human rights reforms, stressing the kingdom’s willingness to bring about more strides in this regard.
In this context, he cited the approval of the Representatives and Shura Councils’ approval of important constitutional amendments that consolidate the elected council’s powers and reflect the popular will in the cabinet.
The Human Rights Affairs Minister also highlighted the training agreements signed by Bahrain with many European sides, and noted that the Kingdom is still making the necessary consultations in order to secure more supportive programmes, citing in this regard the Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government of Bahrain and the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences in Siracusa, Italy, in order to provide technical support for the Judicial Authority’s staff through holding a number of training sessions on protection of human rights, regional and international mechanisms of criminal justice, human rights, independence of the Judiciary.
The agreement also included field visits to a number of international judicial bodies related to human rights protection in Italy, Switzerland, France and Austria.
Dr. Salah shed light on the resumed National Consensus Dialogue which engaged the main political groups in the kingdom for the aim of achieving more democratic, human rights, economic and development reforms.
He stressed that street violence is impeding the progress of the National Dialogue and the government’s efforts to address the repercussions of the regretful events that gripped the kingdom in 2011, affirming the importance of reaching national consensus and avoiding issues that affect the genuine value of peaceful co-existence which has characterized the Bahrain society throughout history.
The two sides emphasised the need to strengthen mutual trust between all social segments as the best means to create a suitable atmosphere for the continuity of the meaningful dialogue aiming to meet the aspirations of the citizens.
In this regard, the Human Rights Affairs Minister confirmed that the Kingdom’s political leadership and constitutional establishment have always adopted dialogue as an approach and practice in order to preserve deep-rooted social fabric and come up with consensual solutions that satisfy all and ensure that no side prevails over the other.
He added that the National Consensus Dialogue will continue despite different opinions, noting that differing views reflect the success of the dialogue.
Dr. Salah assured the EU’s high official that he has instructed the Ministry’s concerned sides to prepare the agenda of his visits to the kingdom, especially meetings with the kingdom’s senior officials, out the government’s transparency in dealing with those seeking to be informed about the kingdom’s human rights achievements.
It is to be noted that the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights is visiting the kingdom at the invitation of the Human Rights Affairs Ministry.