Bahrain is to help fight international crime under a United Nations treaty. MPs yesterday voted in favour of joining the treaty, which has already been appr-oved by the Shura Council. Some MPs abstained from voting, at the weekly Parliament session, saying that the treaty was tailored to help the US in its so-called war on terrorism, which they believe is unjust.
| Guess we know which side they're on... |
The treaty targets organised criminal and terrorist groups, the MPs heard. It deals with fighting terrorist activities, freezing illegal finances and combating money laundering and the pursuit of criminals across borders. It also focuses on human trafficking, especially children and women. The agreement will now be taken to the Cabinet by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar for final approval. Joining the treaty will make clear to the world that Bahrain is against terrorism and does not accept any criminal group within its lands, he said. But legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Dr Abdullatif Al Shaikh said that there should be a more specific definition of terrorism in the treaty.
| Still trying to make that subtle distinction between terrorists and freedumb fighters... |
He also said it should be clear whether any Bahraini suspected of terrorism would be handed over to foreign authorities. |