HRH Premier's message on World Human Rights Day

Manama, Dec. 9 (BNA): Principles of Human Rights are noble goals aimed at preserving human dignity all over the world, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said. The Premier said the celebration of Human Rights Day should pave the way for concerted efforts to consolidate the foundations of an international system that maintains peace and coexistent, and eliminates conflicts and wars all over world. He said that the Kingdom of Bahrain has succeeded in establishing a distinct approach aimed at the maintenance and respect of human rights. "This approach is based on a legislative and legal system founded on the principles of Islamic law, and a commitment to international conventions, the Premier confirmed. In a message addressed to the world on World Human Rights Day, which falls on Thursday, December 10, and is held this year under the slogan: "Our Rights. Our freedoms. Always," HRH said the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has given the world a leading model in the field of political, economic and social human rights. He stressed that the Bahrain’s march is ongoing towards further improvement in a manner that contributes to raising its name at various regional and international functions. "Maintaining and respect for human rights is an integral component in the Bahraini culture, and the Bahraini society has been characterised over the years by co-existence, love and harmony strengthened by a solid platform of religious and intellectual diversity, the Premier said, adding that Bahrain has always been the nation that embraces all residents who live on its land without distinction or discrimination. He also asserted that this unique diversity within the Bahraini society, has been and will remain a source of strength, and a key factor upon which Bahrain depends on its development, he said. He praised HM the King's initiative to establish an Arab Court for Human Rights, based in Bahrain, which, he said, proved Bahrain's deep belief in the importance of human rights as a supreme value and civilised achievement for mankind. HIs Royal Highness the Prime Minister affirmed that Bahrain was among the first countries that succeeded in achievement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) thanks to the high importance it attaches to sustainable development issues. The Kingdom has increased its spending on health, education and housing services out of its keenness to provide the requirements of decent life for its people, the Premier said. His Royal Highness said that Bahrain’s humanitarian and cultural roots of tolerance and openness were the foundations of its contemporary progress and civil and open society. His Royal Highness the Prime Minister stressed that the celebration of the anniversary of the Universal Human Rights Day is an opportunity to work towards further improvement of the reality of human rights and confrontation to threats endangering human life in different parts of the world. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain shares world's orientations for the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms, and to ensure human beings’ right everywhere to live in security, peace and stability. His Highness stressed the need to pay more attention to consolidating the foundations of security and global stability as a springboard towards a decent life in which everyone enjoys prosperous life. HRH the Premier stressed that terrorism has become the most serious threat to human rights, being a direct assault on human beings' right to live in security, which, he said, requires stepping up efforts to combat it within a comprehensive vision that goes beyond security and military solutions and include eradicating it from its grass roots. HRH Premier called for the need to enhance international partnership in order to counter terror acts and promote global security so as to ensure that humans live in peace, security and prosperity. HRH the Prime Minister called for a collective vision that consolidate countries' capacities regarding sustainable development. The Prime Minister stressed for the need not to use the noble values of human rights as a pretext to interfere into the domestic affairs of countries or spark sedition and divide among the members of the same society. HRH the Prime Minister warned of the dangers of leaving the door wide - open to sectarian and hatred speech, which undermines unity of the peoples and their efforts on the path of progress, calling for supporting every move that deepens understanding among peoples and cultures. HRH Premier highlighted the importance of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), adopted in 1966, noting that they include advanced human principles based on a comprehensive vision on human rights in their political, economic and social dimensions. His Royal Highness the Prime Minister praised the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) for its efforts aimed at maintaining human rights gains and the positive developments taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain in this respect. He also commended efforts of the United Nations and its Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon to promote human rights on the international level, calling upon the international community to back the international organization in order to improve the conditions of the people world-wide.