Manama, September 26 (BNA) The Chairman of the Human Rights Committee and a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee in the House of Representatives, Representative Ammar Ahmed Al-Bannai, denounced the allegations made during a seminar held last Thursday. On the sidelines of the 38th session of the Human Rights Council, under the slogan: “Bahrain must immediately release all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience” of an organization claiming to be concerned with human rights in Bahrain, in cooperation with other organizations.
The deputy said that the symposium included a number of blatant lies, including the claim that some inmates were mistreated and tortured, and were denied access to a lawyer.
The symposium also alleged that inmates of Jaw Prison were denied health care as a form of punishment, and that the death of three prisoners during the past months was due to “health neglect”.
He stressed that the lies and fabricated allegations are nothing but malicious acts and sarcastic plays orchestrated by well-known parties that seek to undermine national achievements and their cohesion, noting that Bahraini citizens have always been aware of the real goals of defamation campaigns by suspicious parties. Organizations and media with hidden agendas that they want to achieve by trying to destabilize the kingdom, influence its social fabric, and violate its civil and peaceful traditions.
He added that Bahrain has always been at the forefront of commitment to human rights principles, in accordance with its constitution and relevant national laws, in addition to its respect for all its obligations related to international human rights conventions, pointing to the Kingdom’s commitment. Always keen to ensure transparency in all its practices, being a pioneer in the region in allowing representatives of embassies, diplomatic delegations, media professionals and human rights organizations to visit prisons and rehabilitation centers, inspired by the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad. Bin Isa Al Khalifa’s policy of amnesty and reform towards a better future that includes all social spectrums.
Deputy Al-Bannai indicated that the prisoners whose names were repeatedly mentioned by these organizations and the media are inmates who had previously been tried and convicted of criminal offenses, and it was proven even to public opinion by audio and video, and they are not prisoners of conscience, otherwise. for these allegations.
He added that Bahrain boasts an exemplary record at the level of the region and the Arab world in treating inmates, providing them with basic services and rehabilitating them to facilitate their social integration, as evidenced by the reports of independent national institutions that carry out periodic visits to reform, rehabilitation and detention centers.
He pointed to the great strides Bahrain has made in expanding the system of alternative sentences, which has benefited more than 3,500 individuals so far, especially after the issuance of Decree Law No. 24/2021 which states that “the competent authority in the Ministry of Interior may request that the execution judge replace one or more alternative punishments.” with the original penalty that was issued before its execution, provided that it does not pose a threat to public security, and that the convict has paid all the financial obligations that were issued against him before a criminal court, unless it was impossible for them to pay.”
He stressed that this proves that the allegations made by these human rights organizations and the policy of double standards they adopt are aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom, noting that their attempts will always be thwarted by the loyal Bahraini people.
He praised the Kingdom’s criminal justice system, which established many guarantees in the field of reform and rehabilitation control and pretrial detention centers, benefiting from the establishment of independent national institutions that deal with issues related to categories of inmates with all seriousness and transparency.
He pointed out that any individual who has a complaint, note or request regarding the category of inmates may resort to these institutions to investigate them and provide the best ways to respond to these requests within a legal and human rights framework, adding that the Office of the Ombudsman investigates all complaints and submits periodic reports in this regard and is keen to Respect for all aspects of humanity and justice.
NS