3. Implementation of the Optional Protocol
3.1 Although Decree-Law No. (32) of 2002 promulgating the Bahrain Defense Force Law4
prohibited the recruitment of those under 18. NIHR noticed that Decree-Law No. (5) of 1987
regarding the Reserve Force5 did not specify the legal age, although the advertisements
regarding the call to join this force expressly stipulates that the applicant must be at least
eighteen years. It is desirable to make a legislative amendment that expressly stipulates this
in the text of the law.
4. OP dissemination and training efforts
4.1 NIHR commends the efforts made by the Bahrain Defense Force, the National Guard,
the MOI and the NIS at the advanced level regarding the consolidation of the concepts of
international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and related international
instruments.
4.2 NIHR appreciates the cooperation between it and MOI, NIS through the Police Academy
in building capabilities of MOI and NIS employees. NIHR hopes to increase this cooperation
to Isa Royal Military College.
4.3 NIHR appreciates the efforts in issuing the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026)6,
of which NIHR contributed a draft plan,7 and participated in the national consultations.
4.4 Given that there are no armed manifestations. NIHR has never monitored any cases of
involving children in any armed conflicts, therefore the priority regarding this group was to
raise awareness of their rights.
4.5 NIHR was keen to detail its efforts and activities in its annual reports (2013 to 2022)8.
4.6 In cooperation with the UN treaty bodies, NIHR submitted parallel report from the fourth
to sixth periodic report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child9.
4
https://www.lloc.gov.bh/PDF/L3202.pdf
5
https://www.lloc.gov.bh/PDF/L0587.pdf
6
To view the National Human Rights Plan for the years (2022-2026), please review the official website of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mofa.gov.bh/
To view the NIHR's proposal regarding the National Human Rights Plan, please see the official website of
the Institution at the following link:
https://www.nihr.org.bh/MediaHandler/GenericHandler/Consultative/2019/Gov/PDF/03.pdf
https://www.nihr.org.bh/EN/eLibrary/?category=65
To view the parallel report of the National Institution for Human Rights on the national periodic report from
the fourth to the sixth on the progress made in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
please see the official website of the institution at the following link:
https://www.nihr.org.bh/EN/About/Reports/R1
7
8
9
2