Istanbul: A delegation from Bahrain's Parliamentary Division, led by MP Ahmed Al Saloom, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee at the Council of Representatives, and Dr. Abdulaziz Abul, member of the Shura Council, participated in the Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter-Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism, held in Istanbul, Republic of Trkiye, October 7-8.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event brought together parliamentary delegations from around the world alongside representatives of international and regional organizations. The conference comprised six sessions addressing key themes, including the legal and political challenges arising from the absence of a unified international definition of terrorism, ways to align national legislation with international humanitarian law and human rights standards, and the promotion of international parliamentary cooperation to advance global peace and stability.
In his address, Al Saloom highlighted Bahrain's legislative efforts and its ongoing work to update the national legal framework in response to evolving regional and global challenges. He reviewed key legislative developments, including the Law on Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts, amended to include more effective measures to combat extremism while maintaining a balance between security and human rights; the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Law, updated to align with international standards; the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, both amended to strengthen legal safeguards and ensure swift justice.
Participants underscored the importance of harmonizing concepts and definitions related to terrorism to enhance international coordination and improve the effectiveness of global counter-terrorism efforts, stressing the pivotal role of national parliaments in developing relevant legislative initiatives.