Under the broad mandate granted to NIHR and based on its legal position and national responsibility for protection of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain, NIHR initiated the necessary investigation in the abovementioned allegations against individuals and directly communicated with the Bahrain Defence Force through the Military Justice, being the legal authority entrusted with the consideration of the above case. NIHR was keen to be provided by the Military Justice with copies of the minutes of the investigation by terrorist crimes prosecution and the Military Prosecution with the convicts, requests for their examination by forensic medicine and forensic reports received by the terrorist crimes prosecution and the military prosecution in this regard, in addition to the forensic reports received by the court that is legally competent to consider the case. Moreover, NIHR received from the Military Justice, in addition to the above, the communications submitted by the relatives and lawyers of the convicts to the Public Prosecution or Military Prosecution, and records of visits and communications that were made between them and their relatives in a very detailed manner. NIHR’s concern with obtaining copies of these records, medical reports, communications lists and visits is based on revealing the facts about these allegations. NIHR also fulfils its duties in the promotion and protection of human rights, and enhancing and ensuring the exercise of these rights, as affirmed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and international and regional standards related to human rights. For this purpose, NIHR has prepared this report divided into five main themes. The first theme includes a brief statement on the broad mandate of NIHR in the promotion and protection of human rights. The second theme defines the crimes of torture and enforced disappearance 6

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