Bahrain decries EU stance on convicts

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday that their convictions ruled by the independent judicial power

By Our Correspondent

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Published: Sun 12 Jul 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 12 Jul 2015, 9:47 AM

Manama - Bahrain has critised the decision of the European Parliament calling on Bahrain to release a number of convicts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday that their convictions ruled by the independent judicial power, adding that the decision does not reflect the stance of effective influential political forces nor does it reflect the position of the European Union due to the weak MP participation in the vote.
"Out of the 751 members of the European Parliament, only 65 MPs have voted in favour of the decision and were in a great majority from small parties as the larger ones were keen not to support the draft bill for it does not reflect the living reality in Bahrain or look at the situation in a fair balanced manner," the ministry said in the statement.
"The ministry wishes to note here that this decision is not in consonance with the stance of the European Commission Representative who has lauded the 'many important' steps that the government of Bahrain has taken to protect and consolidate human rights in the country," the statement added.
"While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejects any encroachment on the autonomy of the judiciary which guarantees all legal and constitutional procedures for fair trial, it emphasises that the freedom of opinion and expression are constitutionally guaranteed in a way that secures respect for others and protection of social peace and security," the ministry said in its statement.
Shamada@khaleejtimes.com


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