National Institution for Human Rights – Kingdom of Bahrain achievement by the concerned authorities in order to complete reconstruction according to the announced schedule. 19. NIHR also emphasizes the need to pay attention to religious forums in general, and the two communities in particular, and protecting these forums from anything that affects their sanctity, status, and mission. This can be achieved by overcoming the attempts to feed the spirit of hatred, polarization, sectarian disruption, intolerance and strife, in order to maintain coexistence, acceptance of others, national unity and cohesion of the social fabric. NIHR also emphasizes the need for public authorities and individuals to respect the freedom of practicing religious rites and religious processions and meetings in order to preserve their sanctity and status in accordance with the customs observed in the Kingdom. For this purpose, all measures should be taken to prevent encroachment upon or prejudice to these rituals and preserve the dignity and emotions of the practitioners of these rituals. RECOMMENDATIONS: In light of the foregoing, NIHR recommends the following: 1. Expediting the issuance of an integrated law on the press, printing, publishing and audio-visual, printed and electronic media, in line with the international human rights instruments, without prejudice to people rights to freedom of opinion and expression. 2. Incorporating the definition of the right to expression, inclusive of receiving and imparting the various forms of information and ideas to others, regardless of frontiers, in the press, printing, publishing, and audio-visual, printed, and electronic media law. This right includes the right to political discourse, public comments, polls, discussing human rights issues, the press, cultural and artistic expression, religious discourse, whether this right is exercised in spoken or written form, sign language or expression in books, newspapers, leaflets, posters, banners and other documents, as well as all audio-visual media, and electronic methods of expression. 3. Urging the legislative authority to expedite completing the discussion of the draft law on guaranteeing the right to access to information, as a major component of the freedom of opinion and expression and media freedoms, and as primary requirement for transparency in government performance. 4. Urging the Supreme Authority for Information and Communication to expedite the preparation of a draft national plan for information and communication, which is based on promotion of common national values and adopting a fair, balanced and professional media policy. 5. Allowing all licensed political societies of various directions greater use of television and radio transmission and printed media, in line with the recommendations of the report of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. 6. Urging the public prosecution not to resort to arrest warrants in the lawsuits of audio-visual media, printing, the press, publishing and electronic media. 7. Urging the Government to limit the censorship and restrictions on the media outlets, including removing the censorship imposed on the political societies in releasing their own publications. 8. Considering and allowing the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression of the Human Rights Council to visit the Kingdom. 64