EU parliament resolution criticised

The Council of Representatives today hit back at the resolution passed by the European Parliament on February 6, 2014 regarding the situation of human rights in Bahrain.It slammed the resolution, being a flagrant interference in Bahrain's internal affairs and an attempt to defame the Kingdom's independent judiciary."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. In a statement today, the Council of Representatives called on the European Parliament to stop backing saboteurs and coup advocates."The resolution is based on baseless information acquired from incredible sources", it said, pointing out the string of fallacies cited in the statement. The Council of Representatives reacted to the call of the European Parliament to release prisoners of opinion, activists journalists and human rights activists, the Council of Representatives."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 legislations and laws to protect human rights as per international covenants.The statement outlined other key strides , citing particularly the implementation of the majority of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations, the establishment of the National Institute of Human Rights, the Ombudsman General-Secretariat, 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 legislations. "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.