Manama, Sep 11 (BNA) – Parliamentary delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain headed by member of the House of Representatives MP Dr. Jamal Saleh and member of Shura Council, Hala Ramzi, yesterday met with the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Anders Johnsson.

Bahrain’s Parliamentary delegation reviewed activities and achievements of the legislative authority in relation to the file of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the legislative and regulatory level, and asserted the keenness of the legislature to preserve the basic freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution, law and the international conventions that have been ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the recommendations approved by the National Council at its last meeting on counter-terrorism in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

MP Dr. Saleh said the legislative authority has been facing challenges represented by the escalating of violence and terrorist acts and action had to be taken by the executive authority by issuing the necessary legislations to end such manifestations.

He asserted the Kingdom of Bahrain has made great strides under HM the King’s reform program in the field of human rights at the level of legislation and the establishment of appropriate bodies, such as the Office of Ombudsman at the Ministry of Interior, Commission of the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees, Special Investigation Unit at the Public Prosecution and the National Institution for Human Rights, which have had a positive impact on the promotion of the situation of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

He called on the IPU’s Secretary-General the need to review the image of the Kingdom of Bahrain after the events of 2011, especially a number of changes have taken place on the general situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including the promotion of human rights by the legislature amid growing violence in Bahrain that undermines the democratic process that members of the legislature have been trying to consolidate in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Shura Council member Ramsi reviewed the human rights laws that were discussed and approved by the legislature, such as the rights of the child, persons with disabilities, Family code and others, and explained the Commission on Human Rights at the Shura Council follows with interest the performance of the government’s performance in implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry so as to ensure their implementation as scheduled, as well as the recommendations of the report of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations on the human rights situation in Bahrain and to issue relevant legislation.

She pointed out the support of HM the King for Bahraini women in general and the appointment of 11 women in the Shura Council, as well as the role of the Supreme Council for Women, led by HH Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM the King in the empowerment of women in political, economic and social aspects.

On his part, IPU’ Secretary-General expressed IPU’s readiness to cooperate with the legislative authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain in these areas and to provide technical support in order to establish and strengthen the foundations of democracy in the kingdom.

MJ

BNA 1931 GMT 2013/09/11