Amended NIHR’s Law praised by law-makers

Manama, Oct. 11 (BNA): Decree-Law 20/2016 on amending Law 26/2014 on the establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) has been lauded by members of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives. MPs and Shura Council members valued highly His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s constant keenness on developing the role and work of the NIHR, noting that the move will raise the kingdom’s status and credibility, serve Bahraini citizens and enable the NIHR to assume its duties easily and independently. Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the Shura Council, Ahmed Al-Haddad said that the amendments, which are consistent with the principles embedded in HM the King’s Reform Project, will enhance the kingdom’s credibility internally and at international gatherings. He affirmed that the decree-law is in accordance with the Paris Principles of 1993 relating to the Status of National Institutions, as well as the global human rights standards, and reflect the kingdom’s keenness to constantly develop its human rights legislation. The amendments will help the NIHR to be classified in category “A” and therefore place it among the advanced human rights institutions, he said, stressing that the decree-law reflects HM the King’s incessant efforts to follow up on the human rights issue in order to ensure that human rights protection in Bahrain is consistent with the standards set by the United Nations and the world. On his part, member of the Representatives Council’s Human Rights Committee, MP Mohammed Al-Maarifi stressed that the amendments will consolidate Bahrain’s leading human rights status in the region. Granting the NIHR the right to undertake announced and unannounced visits to the reformation institutions is a transparent step that will pave the way for improving the performance of prisons and reformation centres, he said, adding that denying MPs the right to vote in the Board of Commissioners will strengthen the NIHR’s independence, in line with the Paris Principles. He also described the inclusion of human rights activists and people with special needs in the law as a precedent in the history of legislation in the kingdom, extending sincere thanks to the leadership for its unwavering efforts to develop the nation in various fields. Member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee at the Shura Council, Sawsan Taqawi said that the decree-law is a wise step taken by HM the King to ensure more human rights protection, on the one hand, and show the kingdom’s full commitment to the Paris Principles of 1993 relating to the Status of National Institutions. Taqawi stressed that the amendments will convey a clear message to the world on the kingdom’s commitment to international human rights standards. She added that work to develop human rights protection will continue in the kingdom, amid the support of the leadership, as well as the Executive and the Legislature. Member of the Human Rights Committee at the Council of Representatives, MP Abdulrahman Bu Majid welcomed the amendments, noting that the Royal Reform Project has consolidated human rights, promoted the human rights protection culture and paved the way for the establishment of human rights institutions, citing the NIHR. He asserted that the amendments strengthened the role of the NIHR by allowing it to issue reports that include its evaluation of the human rights situation, and obliged the official sides to respond to its remarks, which, he said, reflects the leadership’s sincere desire to promote the culture of human rights across the kingdom’s institutions. He added that the amendments will reflect positively on the kingdom’s ranking and classification, being in line with the Paris Principles and the remarks of the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA). MP Dr. Jameela Al-Sammak, who is also a NIHR commissioner, said that by the issuance of the decree-law, the NIHR has implemented SCA recommendations remarks, which will entitle it to be classified with the “A” category. She affirmed that the decree-law is a new milestone that proves anew the constant keenness of the HM King Hamad and the leadership to protect human rights and enhance the kingdom’s status at the world arena. She extended sincerest thanks to HM King Hamad for the bold step taken to enhance human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain.