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Activists Call for Rights Think Tank

Kanwal tariq Hameed
Gulf Daily News
6 June 2006

BAHRAIN should establish a national think tank and decision-making body for human rights based on guidelines laid out by the United Nations, local human rights workers said yesterday.

A national strategy to promote and protect human rights should be drawn up and implemented, according to Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) training and awareness chairman Abdulnabi Al Ekri.

On the international front, Bahrain should work for the abolishment of the GuantanamoBayUS military prison as well as military tribunals, he added.

Mr Al Ekri spoke to the GDN prior to a seminar hosted by the BHRS at the society last night.

Foreign Affairs Ministry representative and former ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Saeed Mohammed Al Faihani, also spoke at the seminar. He discussed the implementation of Bahrain's pledges to the UN Human Rights Council.

Mr Al Faihani previously represented Asia as vice-chairman of the UN Commission for Human Rights and recently managed Bahrain's campaign for election to the UN Human Rights Council.

"There is a long list, but one of the utmost important things that could be done quickly is first to form a national institution for human rights along the lines defined by the UN guidelines, where the different sectors are represented - the government, civil societies, the private sector and experts," said Mr Al Ekri.

"This is established in many countries, for example Morocco and Egypt - but of course we want it to be a real think tank and decision-making body.

"The second (recommendation) is to adopt a national strategy to promote and protect human rights.

Mr Al Ekri spoke on the pledges Bahrain undertook in its bid for a seat on the newly formed human rights council.

"I will put forward my vision on how to make Bahrain use its membership to alleviate human rights locally," he said.

"Bahrain should ratify and encourage other Gulf states to ratify the UN International Agreement on the Rights of the Migrant Workers and their Families.

"How to remedy victims of the past - this is another task."

Suggestions were also put forward on how to push for better standards worldwide. Bahrain, Mr Al Ekri said, should encourage governments to accept alternative reports written by NGOs, submit country reports to the UN on time and make information about both publicly available.

"One way to strengthen and consolidate international justice is to abolish GuantanamoBay and what are called 'military tribunals'," he added.

Last night's seminar was the result of a proposal passed to the ministry by the society at a meeting between the two sides, said Mr Al Ekri. "BHRS presented several proposals, one of which was to have joint seminars or workshops with the ministry."

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