Ambassador Houda Nonoo Outlines Bahrain's Progress On Reform In Statement To Congress

Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States demonstrates the government's progress implementing the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Report in a statement to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a written statement to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission today, Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States Houda Nonoo enumerated the steps taken by the Bahraini government to fulfill the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Report.

"Following the release of the report on November 23, 2011, Bahrain has worked earnestly to implement the Commission's recommendations," she said. "To date, Bahrain has fully implemented 18 of the report's 26 recommendations. Work on seven of them has begun and they are in various stages of implementation. One is not yet applicable."

In her statement, Ambassador Nonoo highlighted specific work to reform Bahrain's security services, to reinstate workers dismissed during the unrest, to investigate and prosecute those responsible for mistreating protestors, the reconstruction of places of worship built without proper permits that were demolished during the State of National Safety, media reform, the expansion of protections for freedom of assembly and expression, and other significant initiatives.

These actions, among others, "demonstrate the Government of Bahrain's ongoing commitment to implementing progressive reform aimed at addressing issues resulting from the unrest of February and March 2011. The government will not cease working to affect positive change because to do so would be un-Bahraini."

Concluding her statement, Ambassador Nonoo said: "Through its actions over the past eight months, the Government of Bahrain has demonstrated its commitment to implementing the recommendations contained in the BICI report. The progress is measurable, verifiable, and significant. Bahrain welcomes the interest of our friends in the U.S. Congress who are eager to share our successes and let us know when we can do more. Together, we can continue to shape the next chapter in the historic relationship between our two countries."

The complete statement is available on Ambassador Nonoo's blog.

SOURCE Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain