INFORMATION AFFAIRS AUTHORITY - 10th January 2012: In response to a statement issued by Physicians for Human Rights the Bahrain Government has reiterated it welcomes visits by all human rights organizations, including the Physicians for Human Rights, and has consistently extended invitations to interested organizations to meet with Bahrain Government officials as well as other stakeholders, in addition to accepting numerous similar requests. However, a government spokesperson noted that an invitation is not an opportunity for imposition.

On 4 January, Mr. Richard Sollom of the Physicians for Human Rights wrote to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Rights informing them that he wished to visit Bahrain between 8-15 January. He requested a meeting with the Minister, without a detailed agenda, to discuss the human rights situation in Bahrain.

As the Bahrain Government has always welcomed genuine conversation and supported independent fact-finding missions, the Ministry was receptive to Mr. Sollom's request; but given the short notice and the fact that all Government officials are under tremendous work pressure to meet our self-imposed deadline of the end of February to complete the crucial work of implementing all the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), in their entirety, the Ministry wrote Mr. Sollom (on 5 January) requesting that he schedule his visit after the end February so his visit would be more beneficial and constructive.

Mr. Sollom ignored this request and without further notice presented himself at Bahrain International Airport on 8 January, in a discourteous and ill-advised move. As in any country, there is no automatic right to physical admission and immigration officials maintain their discretion in admitting persons, and have not denied entry to anyone who visits for reasons deemed valid by authorities. As is the case in the United States, Western Europe and indeed the rest of the world, no one is above this law in Bahrain.
Mr. Sollom was courteously informed that he may return to Bahrain at the end of February, as invited, and he would be received by Government officials and be free to meet anyone he wished.

The Government, and indeed the entire nation, remains steadfast in its determination to implement the BICI recommendations in their entirety by the end of February. These will improve the standard of living of all Bahrainis by remedying the wrongs of the past and making permanent better governance institutions and organizations. The Government's focus is on long-term stability, security and enhancing the well-being of its citizens. Tangible progress has been made with regard to the BICI recommendations and can be followed at www.govactions.bh to see the real momentum.

Our open-door policy remains in place, but visitors must be orderly and in accord with what has been agreed. It is in spirit that we have hosted recent visits by a number of national Government delegations and UN agencies such as UNODC, UNOCHR without incident.

The press release above has been issued by Information Affairs Authority, P.O. Box 253, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 872 556 / Fax: (+973) 17 682 777.