Recognizing Bahrain on the 50th anniversary of its independence.

Whereas five decades ago, the people of Bahrain voted to gain recognition of their identity in a full independent and sovereign State free to decide for itself its relations with other States Whereas, on May 11, 1970, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 278, ending the British Protectorate in Bahrain; Whereas, on August 15, 1971, the independent state of Bahrain was established; Whereas, on December 16 of each year, the people of Bahrain celebrate their National Day to honor the anniversary of Emir Isa bin Salman al Khalifa’s coronation on December 16, 1961; Whereas the Constitution of Bahrain, promulgated in 2002, establishes a government with powers divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; Whereas the Constitution establishes a bicameral National Assembly elected by the people through universal suffrage; Whereas the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, expression, and the press; Whereas Article 22 of the Constitution provides that freedom of conscience is absolute the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings in accordance with the customs observed in the country Whereas King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa wrote: Ignorance is the enemy of peace, it is, therefore, our duty to learn, to share, and to live together, by the tenets of faith in the spirit of mutual respect and love Whereas King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa authored the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration on July 3, 2017, which offered the centuries-old traditional Bahraini way of life as an example to inspire others around these principles (1) that religious faith and expression are basic inalienable rights . . . We declare that when extremist clergy preach hatred, violence and seek to sow the seeds of discord, that they are inciting the desecration of the name of God (2) that God instructs us to exercise the divine gift of freedom of choice … Therefore, we unequivocally reject compelled observance declare that every individual has the freedom to practice their religion (3) that all enlightened religions reject invoking His name to legitimize violence against innocent people call upon all good people of Faith to disown practices such as sowing the seeds of terror, the encouragement of extremism and radicalization, suicide bombing, promotion of sexual slavery, and the abuse of women and children (4) that people of all faiths should be accorded the right to congregate to worship, educate, celebrate, and practice the requirements of their respective faiths it is the responsibility of governments to respect and protect equally, both religious minorities and majorities (5) that the Kingdom of Bahrain will do all within our power to ensure that religious faith is a blessing to all mankind and the foundation for peace in the world Whereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom participated in the 200th anniversary celebration of Bahrain’s Hindu community in March 2019; Whereas Bahrain is home to a thriving Jewish community, descended from Jewish Iraqi traders who settled in Bahrain in the late 19th century; Whereas the Jewish community in Bahrain lives openly and practices their faith freely; Whereas the Jewish community has integrated into Bahraini society and is represented in high offices of the state; Whereas Bahrain has promoted peace in the region by recognizing the State of Israel’s right to exist in May 2018 and establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel on September 11, 2020; Whereas Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif Al Zayani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the Declaration of Peace, Cooperation, and Constructive Diplomatic and Friendly Relations Between Israel and Bahrain on September 15, 2020; Whereas Bahrain has served as a strategic partner and ally of the United States since the United States diplomatic recognition of Bahrain as a sovereign state in 1971; Whereas the United States designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally on March 14, 2002; Whereas Bahrain has contributed to bringing political stability to the Middle East and North Africa, providing a United States naval base in the Gulf since 1947; Whereas Naval Support Activity Bahrain served as the primary base in the region for United States Armed Forces naval and marine activities during Operation Enduring Freedom and continues to provide operation support to United States Armed Forces and Coalition Forces and home to United States Naval Forces Central Command and the United States 5th Fleet; Whereas Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, based in Bahrain, serves as a critical duty station for the United States Coast Guard in the Gulf; Whereas Bahrain, as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the Gulf Cooperation Council, has worked with the United States to increase cooperation on border security, maritime security, military preparedness, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism; Whereas Bahrain provided critical assistance to the United States in a time of need by helping evacuate United States citizens from Afghanistan in the final days of the withdrawal and accepting to host United States-bound Afghan refugees for processing; Whereas Bahrain is a significant partner in free trade, with bilateral trade reaching $1,900,000,000 in 2017; Whereas Bahrain has made significant advancement towards gender equality by acceding to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2002; Whereas women in Bahrain have the right to vote and stand for election, the right to inheritance, freedom of movement, access to financial credit, and protection from child marriage; Whereas Bahrain established the Supreme Council for Women on August 22, 2001, to empower Bahraini women to consolidate the principle of equal opportunities to enhance the status of women Whereas the Bahraini Shura Council is comprised of 27.5 percent women while women comprise only 15.2 percent of parliaments in the larger Arab region, indicative of the Bahraini Government’s effort to encourage women’s political participation: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Bahrain as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bahrain; (2) expresses support for the principles and freedoms upon which the nation of Bahrain is founded, as protected by the Constitution; and (3) recognizes the importance of the alliance between the United States and Bahrain to the stability of the region and the prosperity of both countries.

Summary: This resolution extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Bahrain as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bahrain. The resolution also expresses support for the principles and freedoms upon which the nation of Bahrain is founded, as protected by its Constitution. Finally, the resolution recognizes the importance of the alliance between the United States and Bahrain to the stability of the region and the prosperity of both countries.