Bahrain: EU Parliament resolution is a flagrant interference

Manama: The Bahraini Council of Representatives has hit back at the resolution passed by the European Parliament on Feb. 6, 2014, regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain.

“The resolution is an unacceptable interference in the Kingdom’s internal affairs and an affront to Bahrain’s independent judiciary,” it said, dismissing the stance as contravening international covenants and norms.

The Bahrain News Agency quoted the Council of Representatives, in a statement, as calling on the European Parliament to stop backing “saboteurs and coup advocates.”

“The resolution is based on baseless information acquired from non-credible sources,” it said, pointing out fallacies cited in the statement.

The Council of Representatives reacted to the call of the European Parliament to release prisoners of opinion, activist journalists and human rights activists.

“The persons cited in the resolution are convicts who have been indicted in criminal cases,” it said, adding that they have been granted all legal guarantees.

The statement reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to honour all its international obligations, passing necessary legislation and laws to protect human rights as per international covenants.

The statement outlined other key advances, citing in particular the implementation of the majority of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry’s (BICI) recommendations, the establishment of the National Institute of Human Rights, the Ombudsman General-Secretariat and the Commission of the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees.

The statement dismissed the European Parliament Resolution as being biased and lacking credibility, overlooking Bahrain’s acknowledged strides achieved so far. The resolution ignored the acts of terror and sabotage targeting citizens, residents, policemen and state institutions, in violation of the constitutional provisions, laws and national legislation, it said.

“The resolution is based on dubious reports drawn up by organisations, which are advocating hostile and subversive agendas targeting Bahrain’s security and stability,” the statement said.

The Council of Representatives voiced its dismay over the timing of the resolution, which was passed in the aftermath of the political leadership’s call to engage in an inclusive, serious and viable national dialogue.

However, the council reiterated the keenness of the legislative branch of government on continuing its relations and communication with international and European parliaments, but not to the detriment of Bahrain’s sovereign and independent decisions as well as vital national interests.