Day: July 15, 2023

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes the outcomes of the summit of Sudan’s neighboring countries, which was hosted by the Egyptian Arab Republic. Saudi Arabia expresses its appreciation for all efforts aimed at restoring security in Sudan, ensuring regional stability, protecting civilians, and facilitating the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Yesterday, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) carried out a significant distribution of 1,030 food baskets to individuals affected by the floods in various regions of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The distribution took place in the Larkana district of Sindh province, the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and the Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province. As a result, 7,210 people benefitted from this food aid initiative.

This effort by KSrelief is part of the ongoing relief and humanitarian endeavors undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KSrelief, representing the Kingdom, continues to provide support to countries and communities that have been affected by crises and natural disasters across the globe.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian armed forces will participate in joint military exercises organized by Beijing in the Sea of Japan, in the near future.

The ministry said in a statement that according to the annual cooperation plan between the armed forces of Russia and China, the Russian army will soon send the navy and air forces to participate in the North Interaction-2023, organized by the Chinese Army in the central part of the Sea of Japan.

The ministry explained that the exercises will aim to improve the strategic interaction between Chinese and Russian forces, strengthen the ability to maintain regional peace and stability, and respond to various challenges in the field of security.

For its part, according to Chinese television reports, a group of 5 Chinese warships left this morning the port of Qingdao, in the eastern province of Shandong, and headed to the location of the maneuvers.

It is noteworthy that Russia and China conduct joint military exercises periodically.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Director General of the Institute for Public Administration (BIPA) stressed the importance of aligning the training programmes with the needs of the labour market.

The training sector plays a vital role in capacity building as well as empowering Bahraini youth, which positively reflects on organisational performance and productivity , she added.

This came during a meeting where the Director General of BIPA met with the Kheberat (expertise) Programme members.

The programme aims to build the capacity of Bahraini youth in cooperation with strategic partners in the public and private sectors, including the Labour Ministry, JAFCON, and Hope Talents. It is an interactive training programme that combines vocational, leadership, and specialised training needed by Bahraini youth and practical training based on projects.

The Director General noted that Kheberat Program comes in line with the institute’s training plans aimed at empowering Bahraini youth in line with the government’s directives aimed at providing Bahraini youth with cumulative theoretical and practical experiences that qualify them to lead the development process in the public and private sectors.

The programme offers an opportunity to create new paths for Bahraini youth to them enter the labor market and obtain the career that suits their majors and their capabilities, Dr. Shaikha Rana added.

The programme provides a small scale professional experience that includes both theoretical and applied aspects and professional certificates, during which the trainees undergo a period of on-job training, she said, adding that this contributes to making them a favourable choice in the local labor market, in both the public and private sectors.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Kingdom of Bahrain has always been known for protecting human rights, being an integral part of its history, culture and values.

In a recent statement, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed that the “Kingdom of Bahrain will hold on to its great historical heritage that embodies all humane principles and the values of justice, right and love among all.”

The royal stances confirm Bahrain’s long-standing approach to the protection and preservation of human rights, as an integral part of its civilised and human history, which has been based on the foundations and values of humanity and justice since ancient times, which has made it a beacon and a meeting place for civilisations and coexistence among various cultures and religions.

The Human Rights and Democracy Report 2022 published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on July 13, removing Bahrain from the list of human rights priority countries, reflects the International Community’s acclaim of the kingdom’s distinguished record in respecting and consolidating human rights.

Bahrain also maintained its position in addressing and combating the crime of trafficking in persons, achieving the “Tier 1” status for the sixth consecutive year in the United States Department of State’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, released in June, which is the highest annual international classification in this field.

This kingdom’s approach has been consolidated thanks to HM the King’s unwavering efforts to preserve and protect human rights, according to a sound vision that made respecting and preserving these rights an essential pillar of the comprehensive development process, through many guarantees embedded in the National Action Charter and the Constitution, as well as a comprehensive system of legislation and laws aimed at preserving these rights, ensuring equality before the law without distinction or discrimination, and providing means of equality and justice.

Indeed, since HM King Hamad’s Accession to the Throne, the kingdom has made major strides in strengthening the pillars of the state of law institutions and consolidating human rights, through the establishment of many institutions and entities that guaranteed human rights protection and ensured women’s full rights, including the Supreme Council for Women in 2001, the Bahrain Institute for Political Development in 2005, the National Human Rights Institution in 2009, the independent Office of the Ombudsman at the Interior Ministry, the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission and the Special Investigation Unit at the Public Prosecution.

The kingdom has also ensured the independence of the Office of the Inspector-General at the Interior Ministry, and enacted multiple advanced modern laws that reflect respect for rights and freedoms, such as those related to the freedoms of opinion, expression and belief, guaranteeing the rights of national and foreign workers, supporting associations and unions, combating human trafficking, as well as promoting the rights of women, children and people with disabilities.

Bahrain has also ensured all requirements of a decent life for its citizens, as reflected in the high-quality services provided by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in the fields of infrastructure, education, healthcare and social care.

The government also provides subsidies and allowances to low-income citizens and people with special needs, while carrying on its efforts to push economic growth further.

The government’s adoption of the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026), including four main pillars related to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as those who require priority aid, proves that the kingdom gives top priority to human rights.

Bahrain has also been keen to ratify and join the regional and international treaties, charters and agreements concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights, including the Arab Charter on Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Bahrain has launched many national plans and strategies, as part of its efforts to honour its obligations related to several sectors. These include the National Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Strategy for Childhood, the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, the National Strategy for the Elderly, the National Strategy for Women, the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism (Bahrainouna) and the Government Strategy 2020.

The kingdom’s achievements and firm commitment to the highest standards in consolidating and protecting human rights have been recognised by the International Community. It was elected member of the UN Human Rights Council in the 2006-2007, 2009-2011 and 2019-2021 sessions. In addition, it was also elected member of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation during the 49th session of OIC Foreign Ministers’ Council.

The achievements of Bahrain in the field of human rights protection are the fruitful outcomes of the directives of HM King Hamad and the efforts of the government, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

They also build on the kingdom’s firm and authentic approach emanating from its civilised and human values, as well as the teachings of the Islamic religion.

These major strides made by the kingdom in the human rights field have strengthened its international standing, and earned it global acclaim and respect.

Source: Bahrain News Agency