Human Rights Minister meets Asian group coordinator

Minister of State for Human Rights Affairs Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman today met Japanese Permanent Representative to Geneva and Asian Group Coordinator at the UN Human Rights Council Kenichi Suganuma. He stressed the key role of the Asian Group at the UN watchdog in stepping up efforts and stands and advocating different issues. Dr. Salah gave an update on human rights developments in the Kingdom in the ever since the Bahrain Periodic Review in Geneva last May. He briefed the Asian Group Coordinator on the recent court verdicts, pointing out guarantees granted to the convicts during the investigation and trial. He also highlighted Bahrain’s strides to protect human rights and promote transparency. He cited the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) which featured internationally-recognized judges to investigate the February2011 events. The two sides discussed cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Asian Group to promote human rights. Mr. Suganuma hailed His Majesty the King’s initiative to set up an pan-Arab Human Rights Tribunal. Foreign Ministry undersecretary, Human Rights Ministry assistant-undersecretary for coordination and follow-up and Bahrain permanent representative to Geneva attended.