Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain SECTION I: NIHR ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1. The provisions of Law No. 26 of 2014 on the Establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights confirm its role in the “promotion” of human rights. Article 12 sets out a number of mandates for NIHR in order to enable it to achieve its goals in this area. NIHR is authorized to participate in the production and implementation of a national plan for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Kingdom. It is further mandated to examine the applicable legislation and regulations, which are related to human rights, recommend amendments as it deems fit, particularly in connection with the consistency of such regulations with the Kingdom’s international obligations in the human rights field, and recommend enacting new legislation related to human rights. 2. In addition, the provisions of NIHR law grant it the mandate to consider the conformity of legislative and regulatory provisions with regional and international treaties related to human rights issues, and submit proposals and recommendations to the competent authorities in any matter that reinforces and protects human rights, including recommendations to accede to regional and international conventions and treaties concerned with human rights. NIHR is empowered to submit parallel reports, participate in the drafting and discussion of the reports which the Kingdom is obliged to submit periodically for the implementation of regional and international conventions concerning human rights, make remarks thereon, publish such reports in the media outlets, and cooperate with the national bodies, regional and international organizations, and relevant institutions in other countries concerned with the promotion of human rights. 3. The provisions of the abovementioned Law authorize NIHR, for this purpose, to host conferences, organize training and educational events in the field of human rights, conduct research and studies in this regard, participate in national and international forums, as well as in meetings of regional and international bodies concerned with human rights issues, issue newsletters, publications, data and special reports, and upload them on NIHR website. 4. According to these mandates set out in the provisions of the Law, NIHR has played an active role in the promotion of human rights through the issuance of a number of educational pamphlets and publications related to human rights. Furthermore, it hosted seminars and lectures, and concluded a number of memoranda of understanding with various civil society organizations and relevant regional agencies. NIHR also had an active role in the field of legislative review in cooperation with the House of Representatives and the Shura Council. NIHR further released several statements coinciding with international events or days, and participated in regional and international seminars, workshops, training courses and conferences relevant to its mandate. 5. In the area of releasing publications, NIHR continued to release the quarterly newsletter “Human Rights”. This educational newsletter is specialized in human rights and aims to raise awareness among citizens and residents on all aspects of this vital area in contemporary life, especially in light of the global conditions and concurrent changes. In particular, it highlights NIHR activities, events, and its local and international participation and achievements. The first issue was released in July 2013 and the newsletter continued to be released up to the ninth issue, which was released in September64. 64 To view “Human Rights” Newsletter, visit NIHR website on the following link: www.nihr.org.bh 46