MANAMA — Bahrain's Ministry of Interior has reiterated its categorical rejection of any insults to its staff or threats to their safety and stressed that it will take the steps it deems appropriate to protect Bahrain's security and stability, stressing that the Qatari side bears legal responsibility for all violations against the kingdom. The ministry affirmed its stance in a statement that clarified the incident that occurred last week when Qatari patrols intercepted two Bahraini vessels on their way home from a maritime exercise in violation of the Law of the Sea and international conventions. Based on the importance of informing the public about developments of events and supplementing the statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on Nov. 25, 2020 regarding the interception by three Qatari Coast and Border Security patrols of two Bahraini Coast Guard vessels on their way back following the end of their mission in "Al Manaa" maritime exercise, a number of facts need to be clarified, the ministry said in the statement. The incident targeting the two Bahraini vessels by the Qatari patrols started with the response of the two vessels, then their interception, it added. According to Bahrain's interior ministry, The Qataris detained the vessels, threatened to use weapons and prevented the Bahraini crews from contacting the operations room, without regard to their affiliation to the Bahraini Coast Guard as an official entity. The Bahraini ministry claimed that the Qatari boats did not carry any flag or identification as required by international norms, while the two Bahraini vessels carried the country's flag and the logo of the Ministry of Interior. In the statement, Bahrain's interior ministry said it commends the level of discipline, professionalism, and self-restraint of the two Bahraini vessel captains during the incident in dealing with the hostile actions of the Qataris. The actions taken by the Qatari patrols are in blatant violation of the conventions and treaties related to the international Law of the Sea, the ministry said. Referring to provisions of Law 8 for 1993 regarding the territorial sea of Bahrain and the adjacent region, the Bahraini ministry said that no country has the right to intercept by a force a Coast Guard ship or vessel, especially that the incident occurred in the territorial waters of Bahrain. The ministry condemned the Qatari practices that it is used to carrying out toward Bahraini boats and fishing vessels in this region. Between 2010 and 2020, about 650 boats and 2,153 people were arrested, which is contrary to the situation that existed more than 200 years ago during the times of pearl diving and fishing, the Bahraini ministry said. It added that Qatar has persisted in detaining Bahraini fishing boats for long periods and prosecuting those on board, which resulted in a negative impact on the livelihoods of citizens and in prejudice to the fishing profession that they inherited from their forefathers. Such provocative practices have deprived them of their livelihood and source of income.
