Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain it urgently to the President of the House of Representatives for referral to the Cabinet to be submitted to His Majesty the King for ratification and enactment pursuant to the provisions of Article No. 86 of the Constitution6. 9. In accordance with the applicable constitutional procedures in this regard, on July 24, 2014, His Majesty the King enacted Law No. (26) of 2014 on the Establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights. The Law entered into force after its publication in the Official Gazette in the Annex of Issue No. 3168 of August 7, 20147. SECTION II: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FOR 2013 1. The first annual report of the National Institution for Human Rights has been issued in the third quarter of 2014. It includes international and national legal principles related to human rights issues and fundamental civil, political, economic, social, and cultural freedoms. It also includes recommendations related to those rights and freedoms, which are the responsibility of the various constitutional authorities. 2. The report was issued at the end of the constitutional term of the legislative authority, represented by the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, upon the end of the third legislative term. His Majesty the King called for holding the legislative elections in the second half of November of 2014. Accordingly, the members of the House of Representatives were nominated followed by the appointment of members of the Shura Council. A fourth legislative term commenced and a new government (Ministry) was formed. Thus, it was not possible to follow up and implement the recommendations of the first annual report by the various constitutional authorities. 3. The recommendations listed in NIHR first annual report for 2013 either call for enacting new legislation, modifying the existing legislation in line with international human rights instruments, taking corrective action to ensure that individuals enjoy the various fundamental rights and freedoms, or call for paying more attention to raising awareness about the various human rights issues. As a whole, the report includes one hundred and twenty-three recommendations; sixty-one recommendations related to civil and political rights, thirtyfive recommendations related to economic, social and cultural rights, and twenty-seven recommendations concerning the rights of the most vulnerable groups (women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly). 6 Article 86 of the amended Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain states that: “In all cases in which a bill is approved, the Speaker of the House of Representative shall refer the approved bill to the Prime Minister so that he submits it to the King”. 7 To review Law No. 26 of 2014 on the Establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights, published in the Official Gazette, visit the website of the Legislative Commission and Legal Advisory: www.legalaffairs.gov.bh 13