Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman and Chairperson of the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), has lauded the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2022 published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The report, which removed Bahrain from the list of human rights priority countries, included positive indicators about the human rights situation in the kingdom.

In this regard, the report indicated that as many as 1470 inmates had benefited from the alternative sentencing legislation, adding that all prisoners can benefit from non-custodial sentences, irrespective of time served.

The Ombudswoman asserted that Bahrain is proving itself as a pioneering Arab and regional model for pushing forward towards the promotion of human rights in all forms, within the comprehensive development vision, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

She affirmed that the royal human rights vision is systematic, comprehensive and integrated, as it is based on procedures, laws and executive institutional work, citing the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission, whose reports and recommendations have contributed to improving the situation of prisoners and detainees, culminating in the launch of world standard programmes and projects, including the open prisons programme.

Habeeb stressed that Bahrain has every right to be proud of its human rights strides, adding that the kingdom’s successes are a catalyst for bringing about more achievements in this field.

Source: Bahrain News Agency