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Bahrain celebrates 15th anniv. of Nat'l Action Charter (NAC)

By Mohammad Al-Enizi

MANAMA, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- Bahrain is set to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the National Action Charter (NAC) which was approved almost unanimously by the Bahraini people during the February 14, 2001, referendum.
A report issued by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said that the NAC represented an advanced step in the kingdom's outstanding political reform march, spearheaded by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to consolidate constitutional institutions in the country and meet the aspirations of the Bahraini people for further development and progress in various fields.
Following the adoption of the NAC by a 98.4 majority, the amended Constitution, based on NAC principles, was issued in February, 2002, paving the way for establishment of a state of constitutional institutions.
The NAC affirmed that the goal of government is to protect the country, maintain national unity and achieve comprehensive, sustainable development in the political, socioeconomic, cultural and other fields, stressing that justice is the basis of government, and that equality, rule of law, liberty, security, peace, education, social solidarity and equal opportunity are all core principles of the society that are ensured by the state.
The NAC affirmed that individual freedoms, quality, justice and equal opportunities are core principles of the society, and the State shoulders the responsibility of ensuring them for all citizens on an equal footing.
All citizens are equal before the law in terms of rights and duties, without distinction based on race, origin, language, religion or belief.
Personal liberty is ensured under the law. Unless according to procedure established by the law and under judicial supervision, no person shall be arrested, detained in custody, inspected or put under house arrest, restricted residence or movement.
No person shall in any way be subjected to any kind of physical or moral torture, inhumane, humiliating or indignant treatment. Any confession or statement obtained under torture, threatening or persuasion shall be null and void. In particular, an accused shall not be subjected to any physical or moral harm. Law ensures punishment of those who commit an offense of torture, a physically or psychologically harmful act.
An offense and punishment for the same shall be established only by law. No person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the act charged as an offence is committed.
Punishment is individual. An accused person remains innocent until convicted in a fair trial in which all guarantees are provided with a view to ensuring to an accused person the right to defense throughout investigation and prosecution under law. A person accused of a felony shall have the right to be defended by a lawyer of his choice. The right to litigation is ensured under law.
Places of residence are inviolable. Unless authorized by its legal occupants, no place of residence shall be entered or inspected. However, in case such an entry or inspection is deemed extremely necessary by way of exception, such an entry or inspection may be carried out in cases specified by law and under judicial supervision.
Personal correspondence shall enjoy inviolability and secrecy. Mail, cable, telephone, electronic and other correspondence shall be protected. Save in cases where law deems it necessary, and subject to judicial supervision, such correspondence shall not be censored or inspected.
According to NAC, the State ensures freedom of belief. Freedom of conscience shall be absolute. The state maintains inviolability of houses of worship and guarantees freedom to practice religious rites according to considered custom of the land.
NAC stipulated that "every citizen shall have the right to express themselves orally, in writing or in any other way of expression of personal opinion or creativity. Under this principle, freedom of scientific research, publishing, press and printing are ensured within the scope specified by law." With a view to enabling the society to make use of all civil capabilities and activities, the State ensures the freedom to form non- governmental, scientific, cultural, professional associations and unions at a national level for legitimate purposes through peaceful means under terms and conditions as may be prescribed by law. No one shall be forced to join an association or union or to remain member thereof.
With a view to consecrating a stable democracy, the NAC stipulated that the government system is based on the distribution of powers principle, i.e. the distribution of, and cooperation among, the three branches namely, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as set forth in the constitution.
The NAC affirmed that the government in Bahrain is based on the rule of law. The independence and immunity of the judiciary are two key guarantees for protecting rights and freedom.(end) mge.gta