SHURA Council members yesterday welcomed His Majesty King Hamad's speech on the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report. They said that His Majesty's directives would shape the country's future and allow it to further move forward.

This includes giving more attention and care to human rights after the regretful incidents Bahrain had witnessed over the past months.

"We have managed to surpass that period with our leadership's wisdom and the love of all people, regardless of their faiths and sects," said Council Secretary-General Hon. Abduljalil Al Tareef as he read the statement during yesterday's weekly session.

"The King's keenness to achieve justice and protect people's interests was the main reasons behind forming the BICI and giving it an international status.

"His keenness to carry out the BICI's recommendations shows that everyone will be given fair dues and those behind insulting and unacceptable behaviour will be punished."

"Future steps include offering fair trials and acceptable compensations through the National Compensation Fund among other incentives for a real new page in the country."

The statement also praised the formation of a national committee to look into and study recommendations mentioned in the BICI report.

"We are very happy with the level of professionalism and transparency the BICI has done its work in and we hope that this report will bridge gaps and ensure common grounds for the best ways to serve the country," it said.

"There are hopes that everyone will practise their democratic rights in a respectable manner, especially protecting expatriate workers from Asian backgrounds and keeping them away from any harm."

Mr. Al Tareef said that the council urged everyone to accept the results of the BICI's report, with legislators already prepared to practise their role in getting new legislations and amendments intact in line with recommendations.

Meanwhile, councillor Lulwa Al Awadhi expressed her displeasure during the session that the BICI had given less attention to the ordeal of Sunnis and expatriate workers in their report, which she said mostly leaned towards anti-government demonstrators.

Council Chairman H.E. Ali Saleh Al Saleh said that Ms Al Awadhi's remarks would be taken into consideration and that necessary changes to the statement would be made.

The council also issued two statements yesterday on the Country's celebration of the Bahraini Women's Day next month and new Arabic Year, which fell on Saturday.

The council, in its statement, wished the leadership a new year full of achievement of aspirations, ambitions and gains to the people of Bahrain.

Councillors also congratulated women on their day, saying that they deserved more for their contribution to the country.