Foreign Minister lauds royal pardon

Manama, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, commended the royal decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, pardoning 457 inmates in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's Accession. The minister expressed his pride in His Majesty's vision, saying that this gesture is one of the key royal initiatives aimed at promoting justice, tolerance, and responsible citizenship under the rule of law. Dr. Al Zayani praised the government's approach, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and Prime Minister, which prioritises humanitarian and social dimensions as key pillars of the rule of law. He highlighted the balanced approach of achieving justice while fostering tolerance and peaceful coexistence. He added that HM the King's humanitarian initiatives have set an example of pardon, tolerance, and justice , taking into account human rights standards and the social and humanitarian circumstances of the convicts and their families. His Majesty has prioritised their rehabilitation and reintegration through reform programmes, offering them opportunities to correct their behaviour and contribute positively to society. Dr. Al Zayani also highlighted the continued national achievements in human rights, citing the application of legislation such as the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law and the Open Prisons Programme, which have been implemented through constructive cooperation between the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities. He acknowledged the support of the National Human Rights Committee at the Ministry of Interior, led by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, in partnership with the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), the Ombuds General Secretariat, the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). Dr. Al Zayani reaffirmed Bahrai n's commitment to advancing its human rights achievements, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, as a model for respecting civil, political, economic, and social rights within a cohesive and tolerant society. He added that Bahrain's legal and judicial framework guarantees justice and the rule of law, ensuring a secure environment for sustainable development, in alignment with the Government Plan (2023-2026) and the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026). Source: Bahrain News Agency