Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 2 The progress made in the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ....................................................................................... 3 1. The constitutional and legal framework for the implementation of the Covenant: Article No. (2)........................................................................................................................... 3 2. Non-discrimination, equality between men and women and minority rights: Articles (2, 3, 18, 23, 26 and 27) ........................................................................................... 19 3. Prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment: Articles (7 and 9) ........................................................................................... 23 4. Access to Justice and Independence of the Judiciary: Articles (2) and (14) ............... 31 5. Abolition of Slavery and Serfdom: Article (8) ................................................................ 34 6. Freedom of Movement: Article (12)................................................................................... 39 7. Freedom of conscience and religious belief: Articles (2), (18) and (26) ...................... 42 8. Freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association: Articles (19), (21), (22), (25) and (26) ................................................................................... 45 9. Right to participate in public life: Articles (25 & 26): .................................................... 54 Attachments 49 ……………………………………………………………………………………... Parallel Report by the National Institution for Human Rights of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Human Rights Committee © 2018 1