Bahrain : The Interior Ministry has marked International Human Rights Day celebrated every year on December 10 through a seminar. The event included a presentation on human rights accomplishments and projects as part of the directives of Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to promote human rights culture and values among Interior Ministry’s affiliates.
The seminar “Human Rights in the Interior Ministry, the Vision and Reality” was held under the patronage of Interior Ministry Undersecretary Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.
Assistant Undersecretary of Legal Affairs Brigadier Hamood bin Saad Hamood delivered a speech in which he valued the support of Interior Minister to all human rights protection efforts out of the religious and traditional values.
He highlighted the contributions of Bahrain in the development of human rights and humanitarian values laws through joining international conventions and efforts, along with the submission of periodic human rights and freedoms reports.
Hamood noted the dedication of the Interior to implement Interior Minister’s directives to promote the human rights cultures among affiliates while carrying their daily duties.
He said that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on security, the Interior Ministry personnel carried their role in protecting general safety with proficiency.
The assistant undersecretary highlighted that the ministry had achieved many milestones locally and internationally through security performance in fighting the spread of COVID-19.
The Human Rights in the Interior Ministry, the Vision and Reality” said that the formation of the Human Rights Committee led by the Undersecretary is part of efforts to promote various human rights aspects.
The team accomplishments of 2021 include 12 periodic reports, 21 responses to requests and complaints and 80 messages sent to foreign organizations.
He noted that the team also held training courses and awareness lectures for 783 officers, 1678 other ranks and 588 civilian employees. In addition, the Human Rights Diploma at the Royal Academy of Police was introduced, and some officers were sent to complete their higher education on human rights in prestigious universities,140 individuals took part in 19 courses abroad from 2011 to 2020.
Captain Al Khalifa highlighted the procedures taken by the Interior Ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination of inmates of vaccines of their choices, virtual calls between inmates and their families.
First-Lt. Nasser Al Rumaihi highlighted the alternative penalties projects that meet the human rights principles.
He revealed that 3714 individuals, including 3164 men, 242 women and 308 of the age group 16 to 21, have benefited from the alternative penalties since implementing the alternative penalties law in 2018.
