Manama: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee, in a statement marking the International Day for Tolerance, emphasised Bahrain’s long standing values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, rooted in the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. These principles underpin efforts to promote global security, peace, and prosperity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the minister reaffirmed Bahrain’s position as a historic model of national unity, religious and cultural diversity, and respect for human values. He highlighted the alignment of these principles with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the National Action Charter, the Constitution, and the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026), as well as international agreements.
The minister commended the Kingdom’s regional and international initiatives, including the launch of Bahrain’s Declaration t
o promote religious freedom, the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, and its educational and awareness programmes. He also highlighted the organisation of international forums to foster dialogue among civilisations and cultures, the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence, and Bahrain’s call for an international convention to criminalise hate speech and prevent the misuse of media platforms for incitement.
Dr. Al Zayani renewed his call for the international community to respond to His Majesty the King’s proposals at the 33rd Arab Summit, including the convening of an international peace conference to resolve the Middle East conflict. He underlined Bahrain’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two state solution.
The minister also urged the United Nations to grant Palestine full membership and called for the implementation of intern
ational resolutions and the outcomes of the Bahrain Summit and the Arab-Islamic Summit. These include achieving a comprehensive, immediate, and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, and de-escalating military tensions to ensure a peaceful and stable region.
The minister reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment, under HM the King’s leadership and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s guidance, to advancing tolerance and citizenship through robust legislative frameworks that uphold human rights, religious freedoms, and cultural dialogue, contributing to harmonious societies regionally and internationally.