The nomination comes with the active support of Asian countries on the council, Bahrain’s Ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, said.
"The Asian group has endorsed Bahrain as its representative to the group after both China and the Korea withdrew their candidatures," he told the GDN, speaking from Geneva.
The group examines situations referred to it by the working group on communications and decides whether or not to refer them to the Commission on Human Rights.
It also examines situations kept under review by the commission at its previous session.
It looks at "addressing consistent patterns of gross and reliably attested violations of all human rights and all fundamental freedoms in any country."
Mr Abdulla said the nomination reflects Bahrain’s reputation in promoting and protecting human rights and its achievements in the context of political and economic reforms.
"The support also reflects Bahrain’s achievements in human rights for Bahrain’s women, for whom the First Bahraini Women’s Day was celebrated last Monday."
Mr Abdulla will represent Bahrain on the group, which consists of five members nominated by the regional groups in the UN (Asian, African, East European, West European and the Latin America and Caribbean groups).
Members serve in their personal capacity and are appointed for one year. Their mandate can be renewed once.
Mr Abdulla said the nomination was due to the reforms initiated under the leadership of His Majesty and the support of the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince, who all consider Bahrainis people as the nations most important wealth.
He also praised efforts by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Khalifa and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna.
