are permitted under the rules and conditions laid down by law, but the purposes and means of the meeting must be peaceful and must not be prejudicial to public decency”. 8.6 At the national legislation level, Decree-Law No. (18) of 1973 on Public Meetings, Rallies, and Gatherings and its amendments was issued addressing the provisions concerning the organization of public meetings, rallies, and gatherings, imposing certain requirements for the exercise of this right. It also stipulated penalties for deprivation of liberty, as well as imposing fines for those who violate its provisions. 8.7 Decree Law No (22) of 2013 amending certain provisions of Decree Law No. (18) of 1973 concerning Public Meetings, Rallies, and Gatherings, prohibited the organization of demonstrations, marches, gatherings, or sit-ins in the city of Manama, except for sit-ins in front of international organizations, provided a special written permission is obtained. Accordingly, the Minister of Interior Decree No. (57) of 2011 was issued to define the duties and responsibilities of the committee provided for in Article No. (6) of Decree-Law No. (18) of 1973 regarding Public Meetings, Rallies, and Gatherings with a view to maintain security, public order, and good morals. 8.8 The NIHR views that the right to peaceful assembly, although it is an inherent right for individuals, groups, or legal entities that must be exercised freely, yet, this right may be subject to minimum permissible controls to exercise it without prejudice to its substance. Considering that these controls are an exception to the principle of freedom of Parallel Report by the National Institution for Human Rights of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Human Rights Committee © 2018 47