MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After Bahrain fully accepted 145, and partially accepted 13, recommendations outlined in the U.N. Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Human Rights Council accepted Bahrain's report this morning in Geneva.

His Excellency Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening statement Wednesday highlighting Bahrain's achievement in applying the council's recommendations. He noted, "We all agree on the fundamental principles, which are free speech and fair treatment of those accused and convicted of crimes." H.E. Shaikh Khalid affirmed, "The rule of law is the essential condition of a society that respects human rights," stressing that "all segments of society need to play a constructive role" in upholding human rights concerns.

In his remarks, His Excellency the Minister noted that Bahrain's commitment to implement UPR recommendations focused primarily concerned "criminal justice issues, prevention of torture, rights of women, protection of children and minorities, ratification of international treaties, preventing human trafficking, and fully implementing the recommendations outlined in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI)."

In her response, the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, expressed her gratitude that the Kingdom assented to voluntarily provide an interim report to the Council prior to the next UPR.

SOURCE Kingdom of Bahrain