INTRODUCTION Since the ascension of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of The Kingdom of Bahrain, to throne, the Kingdom experienced major changes towards fostering democracy and establishing partnership in decision-making with a view to entrenching the foundations of the rule of law. This is in line with human rights and public freedoms and ensures people enjoyment of these rights. Among the most prominent changes is the ratification of the amended Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which devotes one whole chapter to the various public rights and freedoms. However, Bahrain underwent exceptional circumstances during the last three years, which posed critical challenges that cast a shadow on human rights in Bahrain. Accordingly, the first annual report of the National Institution for Human Rights (“NIHR”) for the year in 2013 in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of the Royal Decree No. 46 of 2009, amended by the Royal Decree No. 28 of 2012, on Establishing the National Institution for Human Rights, which stipulates that: “The Institution shall prepare an annual report about its efforts, activities and all its business and shall include whatever proposals and recommendations in the scope of its powers identify the performance constraints and whatever solutions adopted to overcome them. Such report shall be forwarded to the King”. The report describes and evaluates the most prominent human rights conditions in view of the critical phase experienced by the Kingdom. The report is based on a review of the concept and importance of rights, and the reference to these rights in the provisions of the Constitution and national legislation, without losing sight of the position of such rights in the international human rights instruments. The report presents a brief introduction to how these rights are addressed by the international standards and concepts, in particular the comments of the committees of the United Nations treaty bodies. In addition, the report points out the institution concerned with the relevant rights, and then moves to real life and the challenges that prevent the best practices of these rights. The report highlights the relevant complaints, received by the National Institution, and finally draws a set of necessary recommendations to address the causes and obstacles that hinder efforts to promote and protect human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 7