Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman and Chairperson of the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC) stated that the General Secretariat is an independent institution, the only one of its kind in the Gulf and the Middle East. She affirmed that establishing such a system dedicated to human rights reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain's approach to respecting and enhancing human rights, serving as a unique and pioneering model in its specialized jurisdiction. She expressed sincere gratitude to Bahrain's missions abroad, closely collaborating with the General Secretariat for Grievances in coordinating visits and exchanging experiences with relevant parties in these countries, and coordinating responses to various inquiries received by the Kingdom of Bahrain on this matter.
Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Abdulkarim stressed that drafting national reports in the field of human rights in line with international mechanisms constitutes an effective element in changing perceptions about the development of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain and directly illustrates the concerted efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to enhance advancements in the field of human rights within its integrated system.
Colonel Wael Al Saleh, representing the Ministry of Interior, discussed the Open Prisons Complex, describing it as a qualitative leap for the penal and alternative measures law. He added that the program aims to rehabilitate and train participants, preparing them for integration into society under the supervision and monitoring of the General Directorate for the Implementation of Judgments and Alternative Penalties. Participants in this program undergo three stages: assessment, rehabilitation, and integration. Al Saleh highlighted the graduation of the first batch, consisting of 48 beneficiaries, with 13 of them securing permanent jobs through coordination with the private sector. Due to the success indicators, 57 additional beneficiaries were enrolled in the program as a second batch. He noted that the General Directorate for the Implementation of Judgments and Alternative Penalties received international accreditation for community housing from the American Correctional Association (ACA), making it the first entity outside the United States to achieve such accreditation for open prisons on an international level. He noted that this represents the commitment of all sectors of the Ministry of Interior to international human rights standards, undertaking projects to enhance the human rights system in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Head of the Special Investigation Unit stressed that establishing the Special Investigation Unit is a crucial element in the roadmap to protect and enhance human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The unit, operating independently and uniquely in the region, investigates and addresses crimes of torture and inhumane treatment, serving as a distinct judicial entity within the criminal justice system to safeguard human rights. He highlighted that the unit's independence and commitment to international standards ensures accountability for perpetrators of such crimes and uphold the rule of law.
The floor was later opened for interventions and questions from heads of diplomatic and consular missions abroad, and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
