Speaker responds to EU Parliament

Manama, July 10 (BNA) The Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Mullah rejected any flagrant interference in Bahrain's internal Affairs. He voiced dismay over the blatant resolution which was issued by the European Parliament, demanding all charges to be dropped and convicts indicted in court cases released. In a statement, the Speaker rejected the flagrant interference, defending the independence of Bahraini judiciary which ruled in the cases in compliance with legal and constitutional provisions. "Protecting society from terrorist attacks has become a pressing international demand exercised by all countries in the world, including the European states themselves", he said, adding that the European Parliament does know that the scourge of terror has no religion. He underlined the importance of combating terrorism, which is spreading its tentacles and eating away at societies and urged an international effort to root out the scourge. "There are official and parliamentary channels to communicate and obtain credible information in compliance with diplomatic and international norms", he pointed out, refuting the EU Parliament's allegations and rejecting any questioning of Bahrain's judiciary. "Issuing resolutions, adopting stances and relying on one-sides sources known politicized agendas and factional objectives are rejected as they lack all credibility and objectivity and provide erroneous information which result in inadequate decisions", he said. The Kingdom of Bahrain, he said, is a country of viable institutions and laws that guarantee the freedom of opinion and expression, pointing out that all legal measures were taken into account in dealing with the cited group. The speaker said that the EU member states enforced even more stringent measures and tougher procedures on people involved in terrorist activities, stressing Bahrain's landmark human rights steps and acknowledged initiatives. He highlighted Bahrain's strenuous efforts to push the march of reform forward, support economic development and consolidate rights and duties. "Bahrain is moving forward steadily towards bolstering the reform project and consolidating the democratic march", he said, stressing the broad powers granted to the Parliament to exercise its oversight role in compliance with constitutional amendments and the outcome of the National Dialogue", he said. He stressed the keenness of the Parliament on bringing all social segment together and fostering national unity. "The Parliament is a model of national unity, featuring elected members that represent the two sects", he said. He highlighted other landmark strides to foster human rights and consolidate institutions and the rule of the law, citing particularly the establishment of the National Institution of Human Rights, the Ombudsman and The Commission of the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees. The Speaker urged the European Parliament to review its resolution and communicate with the Council of Representatives and its members so as to strengthen joint relations and bolster collective work to combat terrorism, which is turning into an international scourge, instead of supporting its advocates, justifying their acts or interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs and constitutional institutions.