collectively, considering this is a restriction on their religious freedom. The NIHR addressed the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments in this matter, but did not receive a response within the time frame of this Report. procedures to be followed and directing them to submit the request to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments to consider the matter. 55. Two legal aid cases centered around a request by the families of inmates (S.M.) and (W.S.Y.) to intervene with the concerned authorities to release them. The assistance was filed for lack of jurisdiction, but legal advice to the concerned persons was granted. They were informed of the procedures that must be followed and directed to followup with the competent authorities. 52. The share of legal aid related to the right to communicate with the outside world was (4) cases filed by families of inmates in reform and rehabilitation centers.20 53. The number of legal assistance cases provided by the NIHR pertaining to the right to enjoy the various civil and political rights and freedoms amounted to (164) cases filed either by the concerned or by their families on their behalf, of which (107) legal assistance cases concerned convicts who seek to commute the remainder period of their sentences. The NIHR addressed the Ministry of Interior to consider commuting the sanctions pursuant to the stipulated conditions and regulations. The response of the Ministry explained that some of the convicts meet the commutation conditions and are eligible, whereas the others are not eligible due to not meeting some conditions, of form or of substance, stipulated in the regulating law. 56. The NIHR also provided legal aid to (8) cases for inmates (A.H.M.), (Z.S.G.), (J.D.S.), (W.N.F.), (A.A.Y.), (A.A.J.), (Y.A.Y.) and (R.H.A.), requesting assistance in facilitating hiring an attorney or to make a power of attorney for their families. The NIHR contacted the Administration of the Correction and Rehabilitation Center regarding (6) cases and it was confirmed that the power of attorney was made. The Ministry of Interior was addressed regarding one case, and the response explained that the appointment to hire an attorney has not been set by the Documentation Department of the Ministry of Justice so far, and that the penalty of one of the inmates was commuted under the Sanctions and Alternative Measures Law. 54. The NIHR provided (2) legal assistances to inmates (S.M.M.) and (MA.), who requested assistance in reviewing the sentences issued against them. The NIHR file the cases for lack of jurisdiction, but legal advice was provided to those concerned, informing them of the 57. The NIHR also provided legal aid to a person with disability, requesting assistance in returning his vehicle confiscated by a court ruling in a 20 These legal assistance cases were touched on in detail in Chapter Three of this Report “Key Issues with a Direct Impact on the Human Rights Situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain”. 102