Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain 31. Memoranda of understanding were also signed with the International Organization for Penal Reform based in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: on May 25, 2014; Asia and the Pacific Forum (APF), based in Australia, on May 25, 2014; the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain: on June 23, 2014, the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain: on June 25 2014; the Supreme Judicial Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain: on August 28, 2014; Gulf International Organization for Human Rights, based in the United Arab Emirates, on October 20, 2014; the Kuwaiti Society for Human Rights: on October 29, 2014; Alba Trade Union in Bahrain: on November 9, 2014; Causeway Institute for Peace Building and conflict resolution International, based in Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, on December 7, 2014; the University of Bahrain: on December 9, 2014, and finally with Together for Human Rights Society in the Kingdom of Bahrain: on December 21, 2014. These treaties generally aim to build bridges of cooperation with those organizations and agencies to advance the promotion of human rights and work together to develop programs that achieve the desired objectives of common interest. 32. As regards legislative review, NIHR, at the request of the House of Representatives or the Shura Council, presented its views on a number of national laws to indicate their conformity with international human rights instruments and the relevant international obligations of the Kingdom. These laws mainly include the draft law for the establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights, attached to Decree No. 2 of 2014; draft law amending certain provisions of Decree Law No. 18 of 1973 on Public Meetings, Marches and Gatherings, prepared in light of “the standardized form of the proposed law submitted by the House of Representatives” and the draft law amending certain provisions of the Bahraini Citizenship Law of 1963, attached to Decree No. 46 of 2014. 33. NIHR also presented its views on the draft law amending certain provisions of the Penal Code promulgated by the Legislative Decree No. 15 of 1976 “regarding the crimes of murder, breach of decency, assault on accommodation, threat by weapons, slander, libel, disclosure of secrets, theft, fraud, breach of trust, usury and insulting the National Council, which is prepared in the light of the proposed law submitted by the House of Representatives” draft law amending certain provisions of the Penal Code promulgated by Legislative Decree No. 15 of 1976 “on bribery, fraud, immorality, prostitution, gambling and banning pork, which is prepared in light of the proposal law submitted by the House of Representatives” draft law amending certain provisions of Law No. 26 of 2005 “on political associations, which is prepared in light of the proposed law submitted by the House of Representatives” and draft law No. 26 of 2005 on political associations, attached to Decree No. 35 of 2012. 34. NIHR further took part in the international events and days which are held to promote human rights in the community. In 2014, NIHR released eleven statements on those days and events. The first statement was issued on Human Rights Day; the International Day against Corruption; the International Day of Persons with Disabilities; the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; Universal Children’s Day, International Day for Tolerance; International Day of Peace; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD); the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression; and World Press Freedom Day. In addition, NIHR re-published the statement of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Ms. Navi Pillay”, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The publication of these statements as a whole is aimed at raising awareness of the public and concerned parties with these international days or events and indicating their importance and application at the national level, which ultimately would promote human rights66. 66 To view the full text of the statements, visit NIHR website: www.nihr.org.bh. 52