Section One Origin and development of the NIHR’s work during ten years First: Legal basis of the National Institution for Human Rights 1. As part of the commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain to its voluntary pledges made to the Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in April 2008, which included that the Kingdom “is committed to establishing a national human rights institution at the earliest possible date, taking into consideration the relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular the Paris Principles; in November 2007, the Council of Ministers issued a decision regarding the establishment of a national human rights body, which is expected, after its establishment, to draw up a national plan to promote and protect human rights in the Kingdom”(2). 2. Royal Decree No. (46) of 2009 was issued to establish the National Institution for Human Rights, to be a beacon of human rights awareness and home for expertise and advice. The Royal Decree included, in addition to the preamble, (15) articles that dealt with the establishment of an independent body called the “National Institution for Human Rights” that would perform its duties freely, impartially and with full independence. 3. In order to ensure the consistency of the Institution’s work with the “Paris Principles” relating to the status of national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights, Royal Decree No. (28) of 2012 was issued amending certain provisions of the Royal Decree No. (46) of 2009 establishing the National Institution for Human Rights. The amendments included revising the membership of the Institution and proposing the special mechanisms and means required to achieve its goals and build its capacities relevant to human rights, including technical development and training for staff working in national institutions concerned with public liberties, political, cultural, social and economic rights and law enforcement in order to enhance their skills and competencies. The amendment also granted the authority to appoint the Secretary General to a resolution of the Chairperson of the NIHR based on the approval of the majority of its members. 4. To assert the importance of supporting the work of the NIHR as the independent body in the Kingdom of Bahrain relating to the promotion and protection of human rights, a law was issued giving a real safeguard and autonomy to the Institution, while granting it more authorities and competences in line with the “Paris Principles” related to the status of national institutions in promoting and protecting human rights. (2) Initial National Report of the Kingdom of Bahrain submitted to the Human Rights Council during the First Session held from 7 to 18 April 2008 - Document No. (A/ HRC/WG.6/1/BHR/1). 14