Bahraini PM to receive UN special citation today
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10136159.html
07/02/2007 12:30 AM | Gulf News Report
Manama: Bahraini Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa will be awarded the 2006 Special Citation of the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award by the UN Assistant Undersecretary and Executive Director of Settlements Programme today in Geneva.
In a statement published in the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the Prime Minister expressed pride and delight to receive the award as recognition of Bahrain’s achievements to improve the living standards of the people from the United Nations, and pledged continuous efforts to improve living standards of citizens.
Bahraini PM to receive UN special citation today
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10136159.html
07/02/2007 12:30 AM | Gulf News Report
Manama: Bahraini Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa will be awarded the 2006 Special Citation of the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award by the UN Assistant Undersecretary and Executive Director of Settlements Programme today in Geneva.
In a statement published in the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the Prime Minister expressed pride and delight to receive the award as recognition of Bahrain’s achievements to improve the living standards of the people from the United Nations, and pledged continuous efforts to improve living standards of citizens.
Al Khalifa said the award was an honour for all Bahrainis who worked with the government to deserve it. He also asserted the government’s commitment to the implementation of its development programmes for public welfare.
The Prime Minister thanked the UN Secretary General and the UN Habitat Executive Director for monitoring and rewarding Bahrain’s development efforts and urbanisation process.
Hundreds of Bahrainis gathered yesterday opposite the UN House to hail the award but efforts of the dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and unregistered Haq movement to hold a rally to oppose the award failed as police blocked all roads leading to the selected location.
“The Bahraini Special Security Forces [SSF] from the early hours of the afternoon yesterday started closing down all the main entrances to Ras Al Rumman in the centre of Manama, where a rally was to be staged by civil and human rights activists in protest against the UN Human Settlements Programme … award,” Nabeel Rajab, a BCHR member, said in a statement, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News.
The rally was to begin at Ras Al Rumman and end at the United National building in Manama.
The Ministry of Interior, a couple of days ago, had warned of using ammunition against protesters should the rally proceed.
The organisers decided, at the last minute and after following the developments, to call off the rally in fear for the safety of the participants, Rajab said.
Major Eisa Al Qattan, General Director of Capital Governorate Police, said the rally couldn’t be approved for lacking the legal criteria.
“The organisers didn’t specify what UN decisions they want to protest against and if they are living in Ras Al Rumman or not as Public Procession Law bans rally organisers from holding public gatherings outside their living areas.”
