Manama, October 18 (BNA) A total of 115 international organizations to promote democracy and human rights around the world have expressed their appreciation for Bahrain’s democratic experience, which spans over 50 years of democratic practice and the establishment of a state of institutions and law. .
The organizations praised the progress made by the Bahraini experience under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which placed the Kingdom at the forefront of the region’s countries in revitalizing Parliament and popular participation.
The organizations said in a statement that Bahrain’s experience, rooted in its rational and ideal dimension, has been deepened thanks to the royal patronage and the broad popular support of the Bahraini people, who supported in a popular referendum by more than 98% on national action. Charter in 2001.
The charter affirmed a deep commitment to the democratic approach, popular participation, the establishment of a state of institutions and law in Bahrain, and the launch of democratic practice and parliament in conjunction with the reforms of His Majesty the King.
The head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, Issa Al-Arabi, said that Bahrain’s distinguished experience, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, is one of the most prominent experiences in the region to achieve democracy and popular parliamentary participation.
“The government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is keen, through cooperation and partnership, to achieve the lofty aspirations and aspirations of the Bahraini people,” he said.
“This is an experience that the Kingdom of Bahrain has sought to pursue successfully with integrity and high transparency amid a governmental and popular commitment to promoting popular democracy launched by the Kingdom under the National Action Charter and the Constitution to enhance national achievements.”
He added that the Arab Organization for Human Rights, which represents the largest Arab and international coalition of regional and international human rights organizations concerned with promoting respect for human rights and democracy in the Arab world in partnership with 115 international organizations, issued its statement in appreciation of Bahrain’s distinguished international position. .
He added that the organizations represent a wide range of European and Arab NGOs and centers in consultative status with the United Nations.
“They are concerned with promoting democracy and human rights in the world, and are specialized in evaluating countries’ obligations related to implementing democracy and establishing a state of institutions and law, and promoting popular participation,” Elaraby said. .
“They also specialize in ensuring that states fulfill their human rights obligations, especially civil and political rights, taking into account the full enjoyment by all people, and women in particular, of their rights at all stages and activities of popular participation in the electoral process.”
Al-Arabi said that the organizations expressed their appreciation for Bahrain’s progress in fulfilling its commitment to protecting democracy, establishing parliamentary processes, popular participation, and holding democratic and parliamentary elections on time, despite the hostile external dangers and threats that targeted its security. stability and development.
They also praised His Majesty’s keenness to enhance popular participation in the state administration, protect the parliamentary process that began more than five decades ago, and complete two decades of democratic prosperity based on partnership, integration and transparency. From the National Action Charter and His Majesty the King’s reform project.
Al-Arabi stressed the importance of the role of the young generation that has grown up within the reforms and the consolidation of democratic governance and popular participation in Bahrain.
He said that this experience can be considered, according to the statement of international organizations, a unique model in good governance and the establishment of a state of institutions and law under the auspices of the government and the people.
Al-Araby stressed the importance of organizing parliamentary and municipal elections for the sixth time, with popular participation, which is the largest since the start of the democratic experiment in Bahrain and the establishment of parliamentary processes. He also praised the popular commitment to participate in the national entitlement.
He stressed the importance of popular participation and the promotion and protection of experience and the necessity for everyone to exercise their civil and political rights by participating in elections and expressing their free and independent will in choosing their representatives in the House of Representatives. .
He said: “Young people and women have a special role in protecting and preserving the democratic experience, and according to the statement of international organizations, Bahrain was the first country in the region to guarantee women the right to exercise their civil and political rights.” .
Al-Arabi called on women to actively participate in the election of candidates in a way that enhances their rights and ensures that everyone enjoys their basic rights and freedoms stipulated in the International Bill of Human Rights and international covenants concerned with democracy, popular participation and the state. of institutions and law.
He said that the statement represents the international community and reflects the status enjoyed by Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the appreciation of the international civil society for reforms.
“It is an international appreciation for Bahrain’s distinguished democratic experience and the government’s efforts to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in order to enable all citizens to participate in the elections freely and independently,” he added.
Al-Araby stressed the importance of the participation of all Bahraini political and civil societies and civil society institutions in the elections.
Al-Araby stressed the need for the people to have an active role in monitoring the elections in accordance with national mechanisms and ensuring their compatibility with national legislation to protect the integrity of democratic practice.