MLSD Minister participates in the opening session of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' workshop on human rights

13-10-2020

Manama, 13 October (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, has inaugurated the fourth workshop of the National Action Plan for Human Rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the theme “Role of the National Institutions and Non-governmental Organisations in Consolidating and Promoting Human Rights”. Conducted via video conference, the workshop drew the participation of Mr. Stefano Pettinato, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Resident Coordinator, alongside members of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives, experts, academics, journalists, media professionals, Bahrain’s heads of mission abroad, diplomats, representatives of social and cultural associations, youth and sports bodies, and private institutions registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. A total of 173 participants examined 23 working papers. Opening the forum, Dr. Al Zayani affirmed that national institutions and civil society organisations constitute a fundamental pillar of Bahrain’s comprehensive development and an effective vehicle for strengthening the Kingdom’s regional and international standing. He praised their charitable endeavours, rich experience in serving Bahraini society, and role in reinforcing human and social ties, promoting awareness, and addressing economic and social challenges through volunteerism. Dr. Al Zayani stated that by preparing the National Action Plan for Human Rights the Ministry seeks to add yet another accomplishment to the Kingdom’s distinguished record of achievements in every field of human‑rights protection, realised during the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him. His Majesty has, through his customary wisdom and enlightened vision, consolidated the principles of human rights protection and fulfilled the Bahraini people’s aspirations for a free and dignified life under justice, equality, and the rule of law, grounded in the conviction that every Bahraini citizen deserves care, progress, and prosperity. Dr. Al Zayani emphasised that the Ministry endeavours to realise His Majesty’s vision by promoting a culture of rights and duties, deepening the values of justice, transparency and accountability, safeguarding fundamental freedoms and rights, and fostering a citizenship that exercises its liberties responsibly while performing its national duties within a society rooted in tolerance, coexistence, mutual respect and acceptance of diversity. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to implementing His Majesty’s directives by strengthening partnerships between the State and all civil society organisations in the Kingdom, thereby reinforcing belonging, genuine citizenship, security, stability, and well-being for all Bahraini citizens. In his opening remarks, His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, praised the efforts of His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all Ministry personnel for their well‑considered endeavours to finalise the National Human Rights Plan, which will present an accurate picture of the human‑rights situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain and mirror the progress achieved through the comprehensive development process of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him. Humaidan expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s invitation to participate in the workshop examining the role of national institutions and civil‑society organisations in advancing human rights, emphasising the vital influence of these bodies on every segment of society and noting that the Constitution and the National Action Charter affirm all societal groups and active entities as partners in the nation’s responsibilities, a reality already evident on the ground. Humaidan noted that the number of NGOs in the Kingdom of Bahrain stood at fewer than 105 before 2002 but exceeded 640 by 2020, covering charitable, social, human‑rights, women’s, youth, professional and expatriate communities. He highlighted eleven national organisations dedicated to monitoring and observing human rights issues, emphasising their distinguished efforts to support, promote, and develop every human rights dimension while addressing the needs of diverse societal groups. These bodies have recently played a prominent role in protecting the rights of workers and other segments of society during the exceptional circumstances posed by COVID‑19, closely monitoring developments on the ground and disseminating awareness messages, thereby forging effective partnerships with public institutions and the private sector. Humaidan affirmed that the Ministry remains committed to supporting this sector within a legal framework that safeguards its rights and reinforces its contribution as an essential partner in the Kingdom’s human‑rights architecture, delivering institutional backing through evaluative field visits, performance‑enhancement proposals, training and awareness programmes, and continuous meetings to exchange experience and best practice. His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Cabinet Affairs Ministry and Honorary President of the Good Word Society, affirmed that national institutions and civil‑society organisations are pivotal to promoting and developing human rights. He reviewed Bahrain’s rich tradition of volunteerism, humanitarian service and social solidarity, noting that charitable and voluntary work carries a noble human value that elevates both individuals and society, embedding the principles of participation, solidarity and mutual support endorsed by the true Islamic faith and deeply rooted in Bahraini culture. These values have long underpinned the Kingdom’s civilisation, which has flourished through the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, may God protect them, whose unlimited support sustains national institutions and civil‑society organisations. His Highness added that, in line with Bahrain’s commitment to empowering national institutions and civil‑society organisations in human and economic development, and enabling the younger generation to fulfil their potential in community and national service, an integrated programme has been launched to foster a culture of volunteerism across all age groups. This comprehensive initiative includes tailored programmes for youth, children, and the wider society; foremost among them is the Volunteer Work Award, officially introduced in September 2011, which honours pioneers of volunteerism in Bahrain and the Arab world and showcases exemplary projects from across Arab nations. The annual award provides a renewed opportunity for Arab volunteers to exchange experiences, embedding the values and ethics of volunteerism in the hearts and minds of target groups throughout Arab societies. It has successfully fostered a culture of voluntary service, highlighted its role in comprehensive societal development, and advanced volunteer work within the Kingdom, thereby supporting Bahrain’s governmental development goals and programmes under Bahrain Vision 2030. His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa affirmed the Society’s success in forging effective partnerships with voluntary organisations, bodies, institutions and associations, supporting the private sector’s social‑responsibility efforts, channelling Arab youth’s energies into community service, developing volunteers’ capabilities, talents and creativity, and nurturing a passion for volunteer work by deepening communication among volunteers across generations. He noted that, thanks to the continuous backing and active participation of public and private institutions, the Good Word Society consistently expands its programmes and activities, launching numerous initiatives throughout the year. His Highness expressed gratitude to all volunteers who took part in the clinical trials led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for their willingness to receive a vaccine dose in the third phase of COVID‑19 clinical testing. He also thanked everyone involved in organising the trials, including medical and administrative staff, as well as all supporters of the national effort who worked as one team. In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Stefano Pettinato, United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Kingdom of Bahrain, praised Bahrain’s keen interest in promoting and developing human rights. He commended the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour and Social Development for their support and involvement in civil-society organisations, as evident in the wide-ranging national consultations held to protect and advance human rights, and wished all participants success. Mr. Stefano Pettinato underlined the centrality of partnership to the advancement of human rights and to the formulation of a National Human Rights Action Plan aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which the Kingdom of Bahrain fully supports. He noted that partnership, enshrined in Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals, is indispensable to enduring stability, as it fosters collaboration among civil society bodies, government entities, and the private sector. Mr. Pettinato added that the United Nations works closely with Bahraini governmental institutions, the private sector, and universities, ensuring comprehensive cooperation in pursuit of shared human rights objectives. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al-Dosari affirmed that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity is a cornerstone of the rule of law, justice and peaceful coexistence in Bahraini society, reflecting the reformist and developmental vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him. He recalled the pioneering achievements realised since the 2001 National Action Charter, which instituted responsible democratic practice under a constitutional monarchy and guaranteed equal opportunities for all citizens without discrimination on grounds of gender, origin, religion or belief, in line with His Majesty’s directives to modernise legislation and support democratic and developmental gains. Mr. Al Doseri stressed that Bahrain has cultivated a political and public environment that esteems and encourages civil participation, as set out in the Charter and the Constitution, ensuring freedom of access to ideas, data and decisions so that civil‑society actors remain informed, articulate concerns, engage constructively and contribute to solutions, while also enjoying a defined space within decision‑making processes. Assistant Foreign Minister delivered a comprehensive review encompassing the Kingdom’s reform trajectory, its human‑rights framework, constitutional provisions on association formation and the role of civil society at the United Nations. He noted that participation, non-discrimination, dignity, transparency, and accountability are the principles underpinning the relationship between public authorities and civil society actors. Outlining the National Human Rights Plan’s progression, he detailed the preparation and conception phase, the development and drafting phase, the adoption and implementation phase and, finally, the oversight phase. Mr. Al Doseri stressed that Bahrain has prepared the Plan in full cooperation with all partners and stakeholders, underscoring that its success hinges on public awareness, sustained support, transparent planning, inclusive participation, clear objectives and activities, realistic priority‑setting, practical planning and the establishment of performance indicators, standards and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Commencing the second session, Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, Secretary‑General of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation, conveyed the greetings of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, who wished the gathering every success in its noble humanitarian aims for a world of peace, love, goodness and dignified living. Dr. Al Sayed lauded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its distinguished support of the Foundation’s programmes and projects, which are executed in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him, and which have enhanced Bahrain’s esteemed reputation in international fora. The Secretary‑General of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation noted that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him, was recently honoured with the “Lifetime Achievement” Award by US C3 Summit and the “Samuel Zwemer” Award the Reformed Church in the United States, alongside many other international accolades. These awards, he said, represent global recognition of His Majesty’s tireless efforts and achievements, particularly in sustainable development and the promotion of religious diversity. They testify to Bahrain’s outstanding reputation as an oasis of peace and a meeting place for all faiths and cultures. He added that Bahrain’s extensive charitable endeavours flow from His Majesty’s wise vision and constant directives to deliver prompt assistance and prioritise development projects, in keeping with the Kingdom’s long‑standing tradition of humanitarian service rooted in Islamic values and universal brotherhood. Ms. Soumaya Hussein Hassan Meer, secretary-general of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, reviewed the Centre’s principal goals and activities and the noble humanitarian significance of the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration. She stressed that His Majesty the King has always underscored freedom of belief and worship as a cornerstone of human progress, a vision that inspired both the Declaration and the establishment of the Centre. Since its inception just over two years ago, the Centre has worked to disseminate Bahrain’s centuries‑old culture of coexistence, aiming to make it a universal model so that peace, prosperity and harmony may prevail worldwide. Despite its recent foundation, the Centre has already secured a firm position regionally and internationally, with numerous non-profit institutions and global NGOs seeking partnerships and memoranda of cooperation due to the Centre’s high-quality programmes that showcase Bahrain’s unique, long-term commitment to human rights promotion in all its dimensions. Mr. Ali Abdulla Khalifa, Secretary‑General of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, conveyed the greetings of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, and his wishes for the success of this workshop. He explained that the Award epitomises the harmony, brotherhood, and religious and cultural tolerance that have long been characteristic of the people of Bahrain, reflecting their innate commitment to doing good and serving humanity. In a world marked by conflict, war, and natural disasters, the Award offers a beacon of hope, aiming to create awareness of exceptional humanitarian endeavours, inspire wider excellence, and honour organisations and individuals who have demonstrated a unique capacity to improve the human condition. It recognises those determined to change the world for the better through dedicated, innovative knowledge and tireless humanitarian initiatives. Mr. Ali Abdullah Khalifa stressed that the Isa Award is a direct fruit of the reform path charted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great King, may God protect and preserve him, who has consistently affirmed that respect for human rights underpins Bahrain’s institutional and legal architecture. Mr. Nawaf Mohammed Al Ma'awda, Secretary‑General of the Ombudsman, highlighted the General Secretariat’s role in promoting human rights respect within its legal and functional mandate, guided by the principles of independence, credibility, accountability, transparency, and impartiality. He reviewed the Secretariat’s remit as the region’s first independent Ombudsman office, empowered to visit correctional and rehabilitation centres, juvenile-care facilities, and places of pre-trial detention to verify the legality of detention and ensure that inmates, prisoners, and detainees are not subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. Mr. Al Ma'awda noted the Secretariat’s substantial investment in training its investigators, partnering with leading international experts and institutions to deliver comprehensive programmes, workshops, and specialised courses that raise professional competence and align performance with best global practices. He recalled that the Secretariat won the Chaillot Prize for the Promotion of Human Rights in the GCC region for 2014 from the European Union, jointly with the National Institution for Human Rights, and achieved “Practitioner” level under “Thiqa” Cyber Trust Programme at the 2019 Thiqa Cyber Trust Forum, organised by the Information & eGovernment Authority. Ms. Maria Khoury, Chairwoman, National Institution for Human Rights, focused on three themes: an overview of the Institution’s work, its role in the National Human Rights Plan, and its strategy and work programmes. She stressed that the Institution is mandated to achieve, promote and protect human rights, consolidate their values, raise public awareness and help secure their full exercise. Ms. Khoury underlined that the National Institution for Human Rights is an independent body with legal personality and complete financial and administrative autonomy, enabling it to act with full freedom and impartiality. To realise its objectives, the Institution may comment on any human‑rights issue and address situations as it deems appropriate, while taking part in formulating and implementing a nationwide plan to advance and safeguard human rights. She highlighted key proposals for the National Human Rights Action Plan, insisting that it must be a truly national project, transparent, publicly available, practicable and attentive to the international dimension. His Excellency Mr. Vladlen Stefanov, Head of the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), commended Bahrain’s timely initiative to draft a national human‑rights plan, noting global aspirations for an international order grounded in the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and core international instruments. Mr. Stefanov observed that national human‑rights institutions, with their specialist expertise, monitor violations, advise officials and deliver human‑rights education, serving as bridges between civil society and governments and aligning domestic legislation with regional and international obligations. Mr. Vladlen Stefanov observed that national human‑rights institutions are not merely cornerstones of a robust domestic rights architecture; they also bridge civil society and government, aligning national legislation with regional and international humanitarian obligations. He highlighted their pivotal role in drafting and executing national human‑rights action plans, noting that they track implementation, foster a culture of rights, strengthen institutional mechanisms and expand public awareness. He wished the Kingdom every success in finalising its forthcoming plan. During the third session, Mr. Farid Ghazi Rafie, representing the Mabade’a Society for Human Rights, underscored the value of community partnership in advancing human rights. He set out the contributions of Bahraini civil‑society organisations, which devote their efforts to defending the rights of diverse population groups and reinforcing work that serves the nation’s interests. Mr. Rafiʿi also praised the Council of Representatives and the wider legislature for initiatives that draw broad civil‑society participation, deepening parliamentary engagement with citizens and strengthening joint coordination. Given current regional developments, he called for enhanced cooperation among all entities and organisations and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting the workshop. Mr. Mohammed Rashed Al Suwaidi, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed the importance of community partnerships in human‑rights progress. He noted that collaboration among the public, private and civil sectors is now widely recognised as essential to socio‑economic development and rights protection. Community partnership, he explained, involves mobilising local groups to implement institutional mechanisms across rehabilitation, economic and social services, assigning clear roles and leveraging each party’s comparative advantages within a framework of transparency and accountability. He commended Bahrain’s social‑partnership initiatives, grounded in the reform vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect him. Dr. Farid Hamdan, Head of the GCC Team at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, stressed that a National Human Rights Action Plan is indispensable for the comprehensive implementation of human‑rights principles and standards, fostering social harmony, driving development, and bolstering governmental accountability and legitimacy. He outlined the plan’s primary objectives: achieving measurable improvements in rights compliance through targeted action, heightening public awareness of human‑rights standards, and reinforcing the capacities of relevant institutions. Dr. Hamdan added that such a plan serves as a detailed roadmap, safeguarding every facet of human rights by coordinating an inclusive, realistic response, facilitating cooperation among all societal stakeholders, and fulfilling Bahrain’s international obligations under recommendations issued by various human‑rights bodies. He underscored the necessity of adopting a rights‑based approach when drafting the plan’s content. Ms. Najwa Abdullatif Janahi, Director of Non-Government Organizations' Support at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, presented a paper on the current landscape of human‑rights organisations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She reported that there are 81 such organisations: 73 focus on protecting the rights of specific groups—including women, persons with disabilities, children, youth and migrant workers—while eight are general human‑rights associations that defend rights in a broader sense. Citing evaluations by the National Centre for Supporting Civil Society Organisations, she observed that specialised bodies are typically more effective at achieving their stated goals. In his paper, “The Role of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr. Sharaf Mohsen Almosawi of the Bahrain Transparency Society highlighted examples of civil‑society contributions to the Goals, such as labour unions and organisations in the human‑rights, women’s, educational and health sectors. He noted that leading international agreements underline the need for active partnerships between civil society and government. Mr. Al-Mousawi also discussed the work of charitable organisations—established more than forty years ago and now numbering 113—in supplying essential goods to low-income families, thereby supporting the primary objective of eradicating poverty. He praised medical associations for their role in combating incurable diseases and acknowledged the clear impact of human‑rights organisations on policy development. His recommendations included the adoption of the right of access to information. During the fourth session, human‑rights activist Mr. Abdulla Ahmed Al‑Derazi underscored the pivotal part played by international organisations in drafting national plans and commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for steering the preparation of Bahrain’s National Human Rights Action Plan. He pointed out that the United Nations, represented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, contributes significantly at every stage—consultation, drafting and implementation. Drawing on his own experience with the International Federation for Human Rights in the Republic of Yemen, Mr. Al‑Darazi described the collection of data on a wide range of rights‑related issues and the extensive consultations undertaken. He also highlighted the relevance of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In a paper entitled “Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Mr. Adel Sultan Al-Mutawa of the Bahrain Mobility International affirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to persons with disabilities, evidenced by His Majesty the King’s ratification of Law No. 22 of 2011 on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. While acknowledging the existing legal safeguards, he stressed the need to heighten public awareness of these rights and proposed establishing a dedicated office to handle disability‑related cases and complaints. Dr. Abduljabbar Ahmed Al‑Tayeb, Chairman of the Bahrain Jurists Society (BJS), delivered a paper on “The Role of Human‑Rights Organisations at National and International Levels in the Development of Human Rights.” He argued that effective civil‑society institutions now constitute an authority in their own right, acting as neutral monitors of constitutional bodies. Domestically, they investigate, analyse and process complaints through established legal channels; internationally, their consultative status enables them to shape discourse and exert influence within global forums. Human‑rights activist Mr. Salman Nasser Abdullah presented a paper under the theme “Civil‑Society Organisations’ Reports Submitted to the United Nations.” He praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for establishing a Higher Coordination Committee for Human Rights, which enables civil‑society organisations to contribute to the Ministry’s annual human‑rights reports—documents grounded in the values of justice, equality, coexistence and security embodied in His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s reform programme. This cooperation, he said, is a source of national pride and a model of effective partnership. Mr. Abdullah traced the evolving relationship between the United Nations and civil society, emphasising that Civil society organizations’ reports serve as a unique channel through which independent perspectives on government performance reach UN committees. During the fifth session, Dr. Osama Taqi AlBaharna, Deputy Chairperson of the Bahrain Human Rights Society, delivered a paper on “The Importance of Disseminating and Raising Awareness of National Plans.” He maintained that issuing a National Human Rights Plan and its executive framework would significantly strengthen Bahrain’s international commitments. Civil‑society organisations, he emphasised, must be specialised, well-resourced and professionally staffed to lead public‑awareness efforts. Dr. AlBaharna recommended embedding the plan in school and university curricula, entrenching transparency, accountability and integrity in every procedure, monitoring any restrictions on freedom of expression and widening the range of viewpoints in national media. He expressed hope for civil‑society engagement throughout the drafting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages. In her paper “Civil Society and the Culture of Human Rights,” Ms. Dina Al Lazi of the Manama Centre for Human Rights affirmed that promoting human‑rights awareness is a shared responsibility, yet civil‑society efforts are constrained by limited financial and human resources. She urged capacity‑building for human‑rights personnel—citing the Institute for Political Development as a model—creation of dedicated TV and radio programming, and formation of a joint committee to review and upgrade educational curricula. Addressing “Rights of Migrant Workers in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Ms. Mona Yousif Almoayyed, Honorary President of the Migrant Workers Protection Society, highlighted the difficulties confronting migrant workers, exposing loopholes that the COVID‑19 pandemic laid bare and which now demand urgent redress. She cited irregular wage disbursements—fuel to worsening living conditions and a rise in suicide rates—chronic overcrowding in workers’ accommodation that frustrates social‑distancing protocols, and the continuing mistreatment of domestic workers. She added that the Society recommends criminalising the non‑payment of wages, holding employers legally accountable for substandard conditions affecting their workers, and regularising irregular employment to curtail waste of state resources. It likewise urges decisive action to prevent the misuse of electronic visas. Concerning domestic workers, Ms. Almoayyed called for awareness campaigns targeting the households that employ them, encouraging fair treatment and the provision of defined hours for work and rest. In a separate paper, “A Message of Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence,” Ms. Betsy Mathieson, Chairperson of This Is Bahrain Society, underscored the pivotal role that tolerance plays in cultivating and advancing a human‑rights culture. She affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain stands as a regional exemplar of coexistence and peace promotion, and she commended the National Institution for Human Rights for its tireless efforts to safeguard and enhance human rights at every level.