National Institution for Human Rights – Kingdom of Bahrain FIRST: RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING 1. The right to an adequate standard of living is required to achieve the human dignity of the individual. Therefore, everyone should be enabled to achieve that level through the provision of basic needs, consisting of the right to adequate housing, water, and food, and access to decent living requirements by improving the infrastructure of roads, bridges, sewage networks, and a clean environment. These components as a whole ensure optimal enjoyment of an adequate standard of living. 2. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain guarantees a number of rights, which together constitute the elements of the right to adequate standard of living. Article 9, paragraph “f”, provides as follows: “The State shall endeavour to provide housing for citizens with limited income”. Paragraph “g” provides that: “The State shall make the necessary arrangements to ensure the exploitation of land suitable for productive farming…”. Paragraph “h” states that: “The State shall take the necessary measures for the protection of the environment and the conservation wildlife”. 3. In terms of national legislation, Decree-Law No. 10 of 1976, as amended by Law No. 7 of 2009 on Housing, regulates all matters relating to housing services provided by the State. As to the right of individuals to have access to sufficient food and water, Decree-Law No. 18 of 1975, as amended by Decree-Law No. 11 of 1977, on Setting and Monitoring Prices, sets out the provisions related to controlling local markets, preventing monopoly, requiring traders to comply with and not manipulate price limits, identifying the goods supported by government, and determining violation penalties. Concerning the environment, Decree-Law No. 2 of 1995, as amended by Decree-Law No. 12 of 2002 on the Protection of Wildlife; Decree-Law No. 21 of 1996, as amended by Decree-Law No. 8 of 1997, on Environment; and Decree-Law No. 20 of 2002, as amended by Decree-Law No. 54 of 2012, on the Regulation of Fishing and the Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources, form the legislative framework for environmental protection, marine resources, and wildlife in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 4. The right to an adequate standard of living is also provided for in the international human rights instruments, specifically the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which was acceded to the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under Law No. 10 of 2007. Article 11 of the said Covenant provides that everyone have the right to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The Covenant further recognizes the right of everyone to be free from hunger, and have access to adequate food and improved methods of production, conservation and distribution of food in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources. 5. The relevant international instruments confirm the right to adequate standard of living, in particular the right to adequate housing or shelter, and the need for the right to be adequate in terms of privacy, adequate space, and reasonable cost. As such, everyone should enjoy a degree of security in his house, which guarantees legal protection against forced eviction, harassment and other threats. Individuals benefiting from their homes should have continuous access to natural resources, clean drinking water, energy, sanitation, waste disposal, drainage, and emergency services. 6. The State has an obligation to provide opportunities for adequate housing for most vulnerable categories, such as women, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities, and must take the necessary steps to ensure the provision of housing 76