MANAMA: Bahrain yesterday slammed a report issued by the US State Department regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain. The Foreign Ministry expressed dismay over its lack of objectivity and neutrality.
The report, which was issued on April 19, "lamentably ignored Bahrain's tangible human rights strides".
"It failed to acknowledge the steps undertaken by Bahrain to promote and protect human rights," the ministry said, denouncing the report for disparaging Bahrain's judicial independence.
It deplored the biased presentation which disregarded the progress achieved in implementing the recommendations by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.
The unit in charge of following up implementation of the recommendations detailed progress in the quarterly report published last November.
"The US report has totally disregarded Bahrain's strides, particularly security reforms regarding legal requirements for arrest and detention," said the statement.
The ministry stressed constitutional and legal guarantees on human rights, freedom of expression and assembly. It deplored the report for failing to take into account official data submitted to the US Embassy, upon its request, before drafting it, thus losing all credibility and impartiality.
l Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday received US Ambassador Thomas Krajeski and discussed the report.
Source : GDN
