Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain 10. The same meaning was referred to in the General Observations of SCA, stressing the importance of the task to be undertaken by national institutions, together with the international mechanisms to promote and protect treaty and non-treaty human rights, including the interaction with the United Nations human rights treaty-based bodies, the Council of Human Rights, the various mechanisms of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and those who have subject-matter or country mandates in the framework of special procedures. SCA also encourages effective participation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Coordinating Committee, its Subcommittee on Accreditation, and other national institutions concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights33. 11. The provisions of Law No. 26 of 2014, in particular Article 12, Clause d, provides that NIHR is required: “To submit parallel reports, participate in the drafting and discussion of the reports which the Kingdom is obliged to submit periodically for the implementation of regional and international conventions concerning human rights, make remarks thereon, and publish such reports in the media outlets”. Clause (i) of the same Article provides for the need: “To cooperate with national bodies and regional and international organizations, as well as relevant institutions in other countries that are concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights”. Therefore, the legislation regulating NIHR work in this area stresses the need to interact with the international human rights system, in particular the Council of Human Rights and its various mechanisms. This is due to the fact that this interaction is an effective tool for NIHR in promoting and protecting human rights at the national level, which is in line with “Paris Principles” and the General Observations of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA). FIFTH: COOPERATION WITH OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS BODIES 12. “Paris Principles” pay particular attention to cooperation with other human rights bodies in the state system. This is accomplished through consultations by the national institutions, within the framework of their work, with other judicial or non-judicial bodies responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights (in particular ombudsmen, mediators and similar institutions), and establishing relations with non-governmental organizations to promote and protect human rights, foster economic and social development, fight racism, and protect most vulnerable categories: women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities34. 13. In this regard, the General Observations of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) confirm the need for the national institutions, in partnership with all concerned parties and stakeholders, including the various civil society organizations, to establish regular and constructive working relationships for the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights at the national level, in view of the great importance of civil society institutions as a link between the public and the national institution35. 14. The provisions of Law No. 26 of 2014 are in line with “Paris Principles” and SCA General Observations in this regard. Article 12, Clause (i), provides that NIHR will “Cooperate with national bodies and regional and international organizations, as well as relevant institutions in other countries that are concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights”. Clause (k) of the same Articles provides as follows: “To participate in national and international forums, as well as in meetings of regional and international bodies concerned with human rights issues”. 33 General Observation (1 - 4) Interaction with the International Human Rights System, p. 93 “Paris Principles” relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Methods of Operation, p. 6 35 General Observation (1 - 5) Cooperation with other Human Rights Bodies, p. 96. 34 31