bahrain\s king pledges to press on with reforms
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Bahrain's king pledges to press on with reforms

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Bahrain's king pledges to press on with reforms

Dubai - AFP

Bahrain's King Hamad pledged Tuesday to press on with political reforms, more than a year after quelling a Shiite-led uprising, as the UN rights office criticised the kingdom for its ongoing crackdown of dissent. Speaking in Manama after receiving a report on progress in implementing the recommendations of an international probe into last year's crackdown, he said their implementation "reflects Bahrain's commitment to reform in all fields." The monarch also said the "doors to dialogue were, and remain, open," without, however, referring to a call by the opposition for a "serious" dialogue to end the country's political deadlock. King Hamad, whose Sunni Muslim Al-Khalifa dynasty rules the Shiite-majority Gulf kingdom, insisted that security is a must for reform and sovereignty. He warned that Bahrain will not tolerate foreign intervention, in an apparent reference to Iran, which Manama accuses of meddling in support of the Shiites. "Security and stability are a major pillar for growth, progress and reform, and what harms the country's stability affects its sovereignty and opens the door to foreign intervention," he said. King Hamad warned that Bahrain "will never give up" its sovereignty. The king welcomed troops from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni countries in the Gulf to help crush last year's Shiite-dominated protests. "The clock will not tick backwards," he said, hailing his own troops and the Gulf forces for "protecting vital installations" since the brutal crackdown. Meanwhile, Hadi al-Moussawi, a leading member of the main Shiite opposition group, told reporters that "we demand international protection," urging the authorities to allow foreign reporters and rights groups free access to Bahrain. "The king has repeatedly thanked security forces accused of violations, so what would we expect from a report that was handed over to the king who is thanking those who committed crimes?" Moussawi said in remarks published on Al-Wefaq's official Facebook page. Some 35 people were killed in last year's unrest, including five security personnel and five detainees tortured to death, according to an independent commission ordered by the king last June, and tensions have since remained high. The National Commission's report claimed on Tuesday that progress has been made in reforming the country's police, judiciary, social policy, education system and media, accounting for past actions and reconciliation. The reforms included a new police code of conduct and training, as well as the inspection of detention centres by the Red Cross, after the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry said in November that excessive force had been used and detainees tortured. Steps have also been taken to recruit 500 policemen from all walks of Bahraini society, a government statement said. Judicial measures included establishing an "independent body within the public prosecution" to oversee investigations into deaths, torture, abuse and mistreatment, while all charges related to "free speech" have been dropped, benefiting 334 people. On reconciliation, the progress report said the government had begun rebuilding 12 places of worship, after Shiite complaints about the demolition of many mosques last year. It also said all public sector workers had been reinstated and private firms "successfully encouraged" to take back most Shiites sacked for supporting the protests. But the UN rights office on Tuesday challenged Bahrain's claimed progress on reforms, criticising security forces for their "disproportionate use of force" in quelling protests in recent months. It cited reports by NGOs saying the use of tear gas may have led to more than 30 deaths over the past year. "The use of tear gas in particular has reportedly resulted in a number of deaths of protesters and bystanders, and that number has reportedly risen in recent months," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

bahrain\s king pledges to press on with reforms bahrain\s king pledges to press on with reforms

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

bahrain\s king pledges to press on with reforms bahrain\s king pledges to press on with reforms

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:52 2011 Sunday ,26 June

Five great British islands

GMT 10:53 2012 Friday ,22 June

Lavrov defends Syrian weapons delivery

GMT 15:29 2017 Friday ,07 July

Coldplay release song to support migrants

GMT 10:48 2015 Thursday ,14 May

Telefonica first quarter profit jumps on O2 sale

GMT 15:30 2013 Friday ,11 January

Dakar rally rider killed

GMT 08:08 2017 Thursday ,16 March

Hawaii judge blocks Trump's revamped travel ban

GMT 06:37 2012 Friday ,21 December

Alama’s new album

GMT 09:01 2014 Friday ,18 April

Egypt pulls Lebanese star\'s movie

GMT 00:16 2011 Thursday ,08 September

Dubai bands keep the city\'s heart beating

GMT 12:19 2017 Wednesday ,20 September

European equities waver before Fed decision
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday