GENEVA: Council of Representatives Speaker, Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Dhahrani, reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to participate in the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (ICU) for bolstering democracy, achieving peace and preserving human rights.
Council of Representatives Speaker, in his speech delivered on behalf by Shura Council’s First Deputy Chairman, Jamal Fakhro, in the 130th IPU meetings in Geneva and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the IPU, said the Kingdom of Bahrain has made great strides in supporting the political work and democratic transformation and has recently become one of the most successful democratic system in the Middle East and the Third World countries, stressing Bahrain’s aspiration to benefit from the IPU’s expertise to develop democracy in Bahrain.
He stressed Bahrain’s Constitution has guaranteed equal rights for both genders of Bahraini people and the protection of minorities, noting Bahrain is home to mosques, churches, synagogues and temples of different religions and beliefs.
He added celebrating the 125th anniversary of the establishment of IPU confirms commitment of the IPU and all member Parliaments to promote the IPU’s values and principles towards achieving peace, democracy, development and the promotion of human rights, which we all work to achieve according to every country’s circumstances and environment.
He expressed Bahrain’s pride in joining the IPU since 2002 when Bahrain celebrated the return of the parliamentary process following the reforms led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, including the ratification of the National Action Charter, the launch of the freedom to establish political societies, civil society organizations, freedom of media and expression, in addition to signing all international treaties and conventions related to human rights issues.
He noted the establishment of Bahrain National Institution for Human Rights in line with Paris Convention and Commission for the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees according to the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which voluntary established by HM the King in unprecedented initiative following the unrest events witnessed by Bahrain in 2011.
He pointed out Bahrain’s active participation in two of the IPU’s permanent committees, in addition to its participation in the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians and the AIDS Advisory Committee, asserting providing all civil rights for women and their participation in the political and parliamentary process.
He concluded by saying the political process in Bahrain has achieved many successes, emphasizing confidence in the Bahraini people to overcome all obstacles through the National Dialogue.