Bahrain lauded for human rights support

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MANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The kingdom of Bahrain "has made qualitative leaps" in its support for human rights in the past year, a political institution in the country declared.

The Bahrain Institute for Political Development said human rights issues have moved to the forefront of the country's affairs.

"BIPD asserted that the kingdom has made qualitative leaps in the field of human rights," a statement cited by the official Bahrain News Agency read.

The political organization pointed to a report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry as a sign of the government's commitment to human rights. BICI was tasked with probing the government's response to last year's uprising in the country.

The government last month revoked the citizenship from dissenters who were said to pose security threats. Public demonstrations were banned temporarily, meanwhile, while the government tackles national security concerns.

The official news agency reports that a school for boys was attacked Monday by "thugs," but offered no reports of injuries.

Last month, Amnesty International said many of the abuses outlined by BICI remain unpunished.

The government, the official news agency reports, adopted the slogan My Voice Counts to honor Human Rights Day, observed Monday.