At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the CEO of Human Rights First, Alyssa Massimino and the Board Member John Histon. He also stressed that their visit to Bahrain refuted all the rumors and fabrications that Bahrain prevents organizations and foreign delegations from entering Bahrain to be briefed on the achievements accomplished through the reform and democratic march and human rights. He highlighted that the federal Organization for human rights has recently visited Bahrain.
Dr. Salah added that the visit of the delegation of human rights organization to Bahrain comes in the light of what was announced during a meeting with leaders of the organization during the period he was in Geneva recently, when he said that the doors of the Kingdom of Bahrain has been and still open to all international known and prestigious organizations. They are welcome to visit Bahrain and see the level of achievements in the field of human rights, highlighting that the human rights process is ongoing and has not and will not stop.
Dr. Salah also pointed out to the delegation that Bahrain had nothing to hide from others, calling for the need of transparency, impartiality and objectivity in human rights work. He highlighted that some of the reports issued by international organizations defied truth and lacked credibility because of the lack of having accurate information and correct basic sources.
The Minister discussed with the delegation of the Organization the level of achievement accomplished after the issuance of the report of the Independent Commission of Fact-Finding and the subsequent follow-up committee to implement the recommendations. Also the commitments of the Kingdom to achieve 90% of the recommendations of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva recently. The official reports adopted the response to the recommendations of the Council at its session in May2012.
The CEO of the Organization expressed thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Human Rights for its contribution in attaining the approvals by the Bahraini authorities to allow the organization’s delegation to enter Bahrain.