First Topic - Legal Framework of the Work of the National Institution for Human Rights Preface: This topic will address the legal framework that regulates the work of the NIHR by outlining the tasks and competences conferred on it and contained in its establishing Law in addition to the controls over appointing the members of its Council of Commissioners in two successive requirements as follows: Requirement One Functions and Competencies of the NIHR Contained in its Establishment Law hub of expertise and advice. The Royal Decree included, in addition to the Preamble (15) articles dealing with the establishment of an independent institution called the “National Institution for Human Rights” that exercises its functions freely, impartially, and with full independence. Section One The legal basis for the NIHR 1. To fulfill its voluntary commitments before the Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review in April 2008, which included that the Kingdom of Bahrain “is committed to establishing a national human rights body at the earliest possible date, taking into account the relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular the Paris Principles; in November 2007, a decision was issued by the Council of Ministers regarding the establishment of a national human rights body that is expected, after its establishment, to draw up a national plan to promote and protect human rights in the Kingdom”.1 3. To underline the importance of supporting the work of the NIHR being the independent entity in the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the promotion and protection of human rights, a law was enacted giving the NIHR real safeguard and independence, while granting it more powers and authorities in a manner consistent with the “Paris Principles” pertaining to the status of national institutions in promoting and protecting human rights. On 24 July 2014, his Majesty the King issued Law 2. Royal Decree No. (46) of 2009 was issued to establish the National Institution for Human Rights NIHR2 as a beacon of human rights awareness and a 1 First National Report of the Kingdom of Bahrain submitted to the Human Rights Council in the First Session held on 7-18 April 2008- Document Number (A/HRC/WG.6/1/BHR/1) in Arabic. https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/115/42/PDF/G0811542.pdf?OpenElement in English https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/115/44/PDF/G0811544.pdf?OpenElement Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Document No. A/HRC/8/19 in Arabic https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/136/05/PDF/G0813605.pdf?OpenElement in English https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/136/07/PDF/G0813607.pdf?OpenElement 2 Royal Decree No (46) of 2009 establishing the National Institution for Human Rights https://www.nihr.org.bh/MediaHandler/GenericHandler/PDF/NHRI/O4609.pdf 8