Bahrain Mirror: The coordinator responsible for the organization of United Nations events in Bahrain, Amin El Sharkawi, said in a press release on Sunday (October 30, 2016), "Some articles recently published in the local media have given the wrong impression about the role of United Nations agencies in Bahrain, particularly those relating to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. The UPR is conducted by the working group designated for it, which consists of 47 members of the Human Rights Council. It could include any other state in the United Nations. According to Member States sessions, the 2017 UPR on Bahrain will be conducted. The former UPR on Bahrain was conducted in 2012."

In the statement he clarified, "On Sunday October 23, 2016, many articles were published, which were based on an interview with my office on October 20, to highlight the celebrations on the UN day this year, the importance of the global development agenda, and the global objectives of sustainable development."

"As I looked into some different articles written recently in local newspapers, I noticed that there was confusion between the roles of organizations and some concepts, thus I found the need for indication and clarification." "Unfortunately, the titles and introductions to what was published were inaccurate; as they confused different issues. I did not comment - through that interview - on the role and tasks of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The comments about the United Nations Human Rights Council have been misunderstood and misinterpreted."

Amin El Sharkawi also added, "The Human Rights Council of the UN General Assembly, as stated in the Assembly's 60/251 resolution of 2006, is an independent entity not affiliated with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and works independently, this Council is responsible for the UPR." It is an operation that deals with all countries on equal grounds, when evaluating the situation of human rights, which eventually result in reports.

He pointed out that "the High Commissioner for Human Rights Office analyzes those reports and the issues notes about them. Among its duties also is to enforce the universally recognized human rights standards, in many ways, including; seeking to support the ratification of the major human rights treaties and follow up their implementation, as well as respecting the rule of law."

He further explained, "In the interview we conducted, we make it clear that the Human Rights Council is an independent authority, that is not binding or required to consult with any party, including the UN office in Bahrain or the government of Bahrain, and this is something that was also misinterpreted."

Arabic Version