Manama: Bahrain continues to attach the utmost importance to the advancement of individual rights and justice as part of its on-going programme of reform and development, the ministry of foreign affairs has said.
"Sustained and substantial efforts to strengthen economic, security and democratic institutions have formed a key part of this process and made a significant contribution to ensuring citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms are protected," the ministry said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reaffirms that Bahrain’s judicial system is independent and impartial and that freedom of expression is a fundamental right within Bahrain, enshrined in the Constitution and protected by the law."
The statement was issued by the ministry after the US State Department praised Bahrain's reform progress, but said the country needed to do more.
"Bahrain has made progress in some areas, including by creating institutions that improve oversight of security institutions, but more work remains to be done," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on the fifth anniversary of the dramatic events that unfolded in the country in February and March 2011.
However, Bahrain said that it had moved beyond the events thanks to wide-ranging reforms in several fields and that it would keep on going forward.
"The Kingdom of Bahrain’s inclusive reforms have delivered wide-ranging human rights, criminal justice and socio-economic reforms since the events of 2011, and the Kingdom is committed to continuing on this path of progress and development," the ministry said.
"The Kingdom continues to welcome its close collaboration with the United States and remains committed to further enhancing relations in order to promote shared interests and protect security and stability within the region and wider world."
