National Institution for Human Rights – Kingdom of Bahrain
10. The prejudice to the right to liberty and security of person has a direct impact on
people freedom of movement. NIHR has monitored the spread of security points in
the Kingdom regions in this period, particularly at the entrances of residential areas,
which are designed to protect and provide public security in community against
the acts that would violate the community security and peace. However, in certain
cases, there is abuse and misuse of authority for purposes other than for which such
authority is intended. As a result, the liberty of people movements is reduced in a
manner affecting their enjoyment of other rights and public freedoms. In addition,
they are exposed to harassment in violation of human dignity, in addition to use of
inappropriate and sectarian expressions.
11. Regarding the right to liberty and security of person, NIHR received 21 complaints,
with issues ranging from order security forces enclosing houses, which constitute
flagrant violation of the sanctity of private residents in some cases; to destruction
of private property, such as breaking doors, scattering the contents of homes and
throwing away private belongings; not presenting the warrant of entry and arrest;
continued detention of individuals despite the release decision issued by the court;
detention without any charges brought against the detainees; in addition to not
disclosing the agency that ordered the arrest in some cases, or the destination to
which the arrested are taken in other cases. There was one complaint about restricting
freedom of movement.
12. NIHR considered the complaints received and expressed its legal opinion thereon.
It addressed the concerned authorities concerning all of these complaints, except
for one complaint, since the alleged violation was committed a long time ago, and
it is difficult to be proved. The relevant entities were addressed concerning six
complaints, and they reported that they have conducted the necessary investigations
and legal verification procedures. In four complaints, it was evident that there was
no violated right, and therefore, the complaints were dismissed. The relevant entities
were addressed in connection with nine complaints, but no response was received.
As regards the complaint relating to the right to freedom of movement, NIHR
addressed the Ministry of Interior, which responded and corrected the violation case.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
In light of the foregoing, the National Institution for Human Rights recommends the
following:
1. Urging the Government to accede to the Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which is related to the government’s
recognition of the competence of the Human Rights Committee to receive individual
complaints.
2. Urging the Government to accede to the International Convention for the Protection
of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted by the resolution of the United
Nations General Assembly No. (61/177) issued on December 20, 2006, and amending
the relevant national legislation so as to ensure the activation and implementation of
the provisions of this Convention.
3. Conducting effective and intensive training and awareness programs for public
prosecution and employees of the executive agency of the public prosecution in
order to promote the culture of human rights, respect for the rights and guarantees of
the accused, and introduce alternative means for the measures imposing restrictions
on freedom.
4. The need for the public prosecution to activate the authority granted to it by the
legislature to take alternative measures to pre-trial detention, and effectuate its
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