MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The rule of law is an essential part of a society that respects human rights, the foreign minister in Bahrain said of national policy.
The government in Bahrain said the U.N. Human Right Council accepts its period review report. Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Khalifa said the measure represented his country's support for basic human rights.
"We all agree on the fundamental principles, which are free speech and fair treatment of those accused and convicted of crimes," he said in a statement. "The rule of law is the essential condition of a society that respects human rights."
His comments come after an appeals court in Bahrain upheld military court convictions of activists and opposition leaders charged with anti-government actions in the country. Among those convicted was Abdulhadi al-Khawaja who went on a 110-day hunger strike to protest his detention.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the ruling was "extremely disappointing."
The government, however, rejected the criticism saying the defendants had the opportunity to appear before the civilian courts.
Bahrain was criticized for its response to an uprising last year led predominately by Shiite activists frustrated with the Sunni-led monarchy.
