Bahrain responds to special rapporteur’s statement

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in Geneva expressed its deep regret at the publication of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, summary or arbitrary executions, Special Rapporteur freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, freedom of religion or belief and current Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, on June 16, 2017, concerning the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This statement is contrary to reality and does not reflect the truth of the matter, because it contains negative and inaccurate signals, contradicted by facts carried out by competent authorities exercising their powers to protect and safeguard human rights on the basis of their responsibility to protect security and society and enforce the law.

The Kingdom of Bahrain categorically rejects this press release, which lacks accurate form and content, including false content completely different from the reality of things and what they truly are.
The Kingdom of Bahrain achieved a lot through a steady evolution, especially in the fields of human rights and democratic action under the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain.
It is even strange and outrageous that it was based on a language and terms that were always denounced by the anti-Bahrain and its people and aimed at breaking its social fabric and calling for the repulsive sectarian slogans that have spread throughout the region and which will not succeed at all to consolidate the reform approach rooted in His Majesty the King. Thanks to the wisdom of the leadership and the judgment and understanding of its civilized people, who have dismissed the advocates of violent extremism and terrorism to undermine their national cultural achievements at all levels.
The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain rejects this statement in its entirety, which was based on non-objective, unrealistic and sole-source basis.
The Kingdom was unable to respond to them in accordance with the time frames adopted by the Special Procedures for Mandate Holders, which are available to the State to respond to the allegations contained in the Joint Prosecution’s letter, which naturally and logically require waiting for adequate responses to complete the picture.
Thus, to reach an objective and transparent view, without preventing and jumping on empty developments that have nothing to do with this peaceful and secure country, which has, generations after generation, built up the values of love, tolerance and brotherhood, and whose past, present or future knows no distinction between citizenship based on religion, belief, race or origin, everyone in the Kingdom of Bahrain is equal in rights and duties and before the law.
The truth about the allegations in the press release is as follows:
With respect to the Al Wefaq Islamic Society, the Association was dissolved by a decision of the High Civil Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld this ruling.
Al-Wefaq has challenged discrimination, as this appeal is still pending before the Court of Cassation.
The decision of the High Civil Court is based on the principle of respect for the rule of law and the foundations of citizenship, providing an environment conducive to terrorism, extremism and violence, calling for external interference in the internal affairs, and the exploitation of religious platforms in political action.
As for the claim of the closure of Wa’ad Society for its connection to elements such as violence and arrests, there is no connection between this claim and the truth of the matter, and is not based on objective grounds.
The judicial authorities have ruled in favor of a lawsuit against the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad), the Dissolution of the Political Assembly. However, Wa’ad still has the right to appeal the decision. The court found that Wa’ad violated certain articles of the Political Associations Act, including publishing articles on the Internet praising convicted terrorists, as well as supporting banned organizations that back up and promote violence and sectarianism in the country.
In this context, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom affirms the full support of the Kingdom of Bahrain for open and inclusive political dialogue through the constitutional institutions of the Kingdom.
It encourages all citizens to play an active role through peaceful expression. Hence, a political association, regardless of its affiliation and orientation, will aim to destabilize security and stability. As it targets the youth of Bahrain in the networks of destruction in order to fuel and ignite the country through war and strife.
The law must firmly and decisively protect the society in its unity, flesh and national fabric.
As for what happened in the village of Diraz on the twenty-third of last May morning, the security forces have carried a security operation aimed at removing the spread and illegal barriers and roadblocks set up by illegal gatherings and terrorized civilians in the village.
This security deployment came after exhausting all peaceful means, and after growing complaints from residents of the area as a result of the chaos and lawlessness and the closure of roads and obstructing traffic by placing barriers, platforms and arson.
This security deployment was also met with considerable risks and terrorist attacks using grenades and Molotov cocktails, and weapon launchers with the iron bars.
The police have dealt with this matter with professionalism, according to the police code of conduct and compliant with international human rights standards, resulting in the injury of 31 policemen and the death of five of those who conflicted the law.
As for the statement for the reports that indicates that human rights defenders continue to face restrictions, intimidation, interrogation, detention and travel ban, is entirely false and inaccurate and only points out that the reports are unreliable and politicized to serve purposes beyond the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Kingdom is committed to respect the freedom of opinion and expression as long as it is within the framework of respect for the law. The Kingdom also ensures all judicial guarantees to respect the exercise of this right and other human rights on the ground.
The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its solidarity with activists and human rights defenders as long as they abide by these principles and commit themselves to respecting the laws and regulations of their countries and not commit atrocities that fall within the scope of the criminal and punishable acts.
Finally, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain confirms through this statement, to respect the Kingdom of human rights law and de facto, and that all remedies are available to all, and that the concerned authorities in the Kingdom is keen to adhere to the principle of transparency and clarity in dealing with all issues.
In contrast, we call on the government and international non-governmental organizations, specifically the Special Rapporteur of Mandate Holders and in accordance with the usual procedures following its mandate, to strive hard to investigate the credibility, integrity and objectivity in the reports and statements issued in all matters relating to the promotion and respect for human rights, and to ensure that the information taken from reliable sources are supported, and the importance of respecting the independence of the judiciary. (MOFA)

Source: Fana News