During a visit to the United Kingdom, Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, met UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman in the presence of Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Assistant Chief of Public Security for Operations and Training Affairs.
The UK Home Secretary welcomed the Interior Minister, hailing the ties between the two friendly countries. She asserted the readiness of her country to cooperate with Bahrain in various security fields.
The Interior Minister hailed the excellent historical ties between the two countries that extend for more than 200 years. He valued security cooperation between the two countries, and the positive outcomes of the joint security team, through promoting cooperation and discussing future projects to exchange security expertise.
He thanked the UK Home Secretary for introducing the electronic entry permit system, which Bahrain would be one of the first countries to use.
He highlighted Bahrain’s programmes in promoting community partnership and nationalism based on the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He indicated the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism was launched to promote the national identity project.
The meeting reviewed security cooperation and coordination and exchange of expertise as part of the strategic partnership to confront security challenges, along with topics of common interests.
The Interior Minister also met Lord Tariq Ahmad, Special Representative of the UK Prime Minister and Minister of State of the Commonwealth and the United Nations. The meeting was attended by Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Director-General of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing, Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
Lord Ahmed welcomed the visit of the Interior Minister, highlighting the importance of reinforcing cooperation and strong ties between the two countries. He expressed pride in the solid relations between Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom in various fields. He said that he considered Bahrain a friendly country and not only a partner.
Meanwhile, the Interior Minister asserted that the reform era of HM the King affirms the reinforcement of democracy, tolerance, coexistence and openness values, contributing to promoting the national process of human rights, justice and reform. “Human rights are a solid part of our culture and religion,” he noted.
He highlighted that the alternative sentencing project is a bright and distinguished side of the human rights field in Bahrain. He asserted that the expansion of the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law, including the open prison programme, is a turning point that reflects the wisdom and humane vision of HM the King in considering the social and humanitarian situations of convicts. He said that all inmates receive their full rights and services as per the law, including the rights for education and training, citing the fact that 281 inmates are studying and receiving vocational training.
During the meeting, the Director-General of Verdict Enforcement briefed the UK official about the alternative sentencing project. He said that 588 inmates had been included recently, increasing the beneficiaries to 5,432 since its launch in 2018.
The meeting reviewed cooperation and coordination, in addition to various security topics and regional developments.
Source: Bahrain News Agency