Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said, "The Kingdom of Bahrain, in accordance with its principles, is dedicated to affirm, maintain and abide by human rights, in practice, and establishes frameworks to ensure their preservation."

The statement, issued hours after midnight (Bahrain time), came hours after the king met with the Pope of Vatican who called on Bahrain to abolish the death penalty and translate its obligations towards fundamental rights and religious freedoms as stipulated in the country's constitution into practice in a sustainable manner. 

The king praised "the humanitarian content of the speech of His Holiness Pope Francis during the reception held today at the Sakhir Palace in honor of His Holiness that urged upholding the principles of human rights and religious and labor freedoms."

"The Kingdom of Bahrain in accordance with its principles that it has followed is dedicated to affirm, maintain and abide by human rights in practice and to develop frameworks to ensure their preservation and increase awareness of them culturally and intellectually," the King said. 

He stressed that these matters are receiving attention "by the government headed by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, working together with the legislative authority to strengthen this aspect."

"This was stated in the National Action Charter and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its laws."

Arabic Version