Second Annual Report of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) 2014 - Kingdom of Bahrain SIXTH: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 15. “Paris Principles” grant the national institutions the mandate to submit to the Government, Parliament and any other competent body, on an advisory basis, either at the request of the authorities concerned or through the exercise of its power to hear a matter without higher referral, opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports on any matters concerning the promotion and protection of human rights36. This mandate is one of the core responsibilities granted by the “Paris Principles” for the national human rights institutions through the examination of legislation and regulations in force, proposing bills to be considered by the legislative authority, and making recommendations as they deem appropriate to ensure that these provisions are consistent with the fundamental principles of human rights. The national institutions also have the mandate of drawing the attention of the government to human rights violations, providing initiatives to put an end to such situations and, where necessary, expressing an opinion on government positions and reactions. 16. In the same context, SCA General Observations arrived at decisions to strengthen the role of national institutions in this area. It considered the recommendations of the institutions set out in its annual or special reports as tool to highlight issues affecting human rights. Therefore, in this regard, SCA emphasizes that national institutions can play a threefold role: develop recommendations, disseminate these recommendations to the public opinion, and urge the implementation and follow-up of these recommendations, with the need for public authorities to provide detailed information about the mechanisms of implementation of those recommendations37. 17. The provisions of Law No. 26 of 2014 guarantee this mandate for NIHR through Article 12, which provide for NIHR authority to examine legislation and regulations enforced in the Kingdom which are related to human rights, and recommend amendments as it deems fit. NIHR is also empowered to recommend enacting new legislation related to human rights. It has the mandate to consider the conformity of legislative and regulatory provisions with regional and international treaties related to human rights issues, submit proposals and recommendations to the competent authorities in any matter that reinforces and protects human rights, draw the attention of the competent authorities for initiatives to put an end to cases of human rights violation, and express, when necessary, an opinion on the position of these parties and their reactions. The provisions of the Law also guarantee issuing various statements and reports, including suggestions and recommendations, submitting them to the constitutional authorities in the Kingdom and uploading them on its website and addressing the public directly or through any of the various media outlets. SEVENTH: ENSURING PLURALISM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS 18. Pluralist representation is one of the most important pillars endorsed by the “Paris Principles” through the involvement of non-governmental human rights organizations, trade unions, professional associations, other groups, academics, experts and members of the legislative authority in the formation of national institutions. This pluralism is a guarantee of the independence of national institutions for the advancement of their roles and ensures maintaining relations with all stakeholders by these institutions38. 36 “Paris Principles” relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Mandates and responsibilities, Clause 3, p. 4. 37 General Observation (1 - 6) Recommendations of the National Human Rights Institutions, p. 98. 38 “Paris Principles” relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism, Clause 1, p. 5. 32