CHAPTER I THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS “NIHR” PREFACE: In view of the urgent need to deal responsibly with human rights issues, and develop policies related to enhancing, developing, and protecting these rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and based on the importance of advancing and safeguarding human rights principles, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, enacted the Royal Decree No. 46 of 2009, amended by the Royal Decree No. 28 of 2012, Establishing the National Institution for Human Rights in Manama. NIHR objectives are centered around the promotion and protection of human rights, consolidating human rights values, raising awareness of human rights, and ensuring that they are exercised in full freedom and independence. Paris Principles relating to the status of national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights - endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution No. (134/48) issued on December 20, 1993 – were the legal reference for establishing NIHR. Paris Principles are a set of internationally recognized principles on the formation of national institutions for human rights, and the respective powers granted and procedures prescribed for these institutions. Confirming the Government's commitment to support NIHR work as the major and independent body in the Kingdom of Bahrain concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights, the Government and NIHR agreed on the need to pass a new law that ensures the full independence of the Institution and grants it more powers and functions. Therefore, the Government referred the draft law on the establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights, annexed to Decree No. (2) of 2014, to the House of Representatives. This law largely achieves the State aspirations for the development and protection of human rights. This Chapter addresses NIHR inception and development, its legal framework and organizational structure in terms of the council of Commissioners, the Standing Committees, and the operational work of the Secretariat. The role and achievements of NIHR in the promotion and protection of human rights are stated next, with reference to its strategy and action plan for the years (2013 - 2016). It also highlights the cooperation among the relevant ministries and agencies side by side with NIHR on the complaints received, or in the process of preparing its 2013 annual report. 11