with a criminal offence shall be entitled during the consideration of his case to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality: (a) To be informed promptly and in detail in a language which he understands of the nature and cause of the charge against him; (b) to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense and to communicate with counsel of his own choosing.” without diplomatic or consular representation in the country and refugees or stateless persons shall be allowed similar facilities to communicate with the diplomatic representative of the State which takes charge of their interests or any national or international authority whose task it is to protect such persons.” 7. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules) stipulates in Rule (85/1) that, “Prisoners shall be allowed, under necessary supervision, to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals: (a) By corresponding in writing and using, where available, telecommunication, electronic, digital and other means; and (b) By receiving visits.” 5. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance affirms in Paragraph (2-d) of Article No. (17) that, “Each State Party shall, in its legislation: (d) Guarantee that any person deprived of liberty shall be authorized to communicate with and be visited by his or her family, counsel or any other person of his or her choice, subject only to the conditions established by law, or, if he or she is a foreigner, to communicate with his or her consular authorities, in accordance with applicable international law.” 8. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the provision of Article No. (31), guarantees that the inmate enjoys the exercise of his/her right in a manner that does not undermine its essence and does not dispossess its value and purpose, while acknowledging the right of the competent authority to set regulatory controls, provided that they are not abused, are in line with legal frameworks and international standards adopted in this regard, and that such right is not subject to any restrictions or controls except to the extent necessary to attain the interests of justice and corresponding to the legal status of the detainee. 6. The Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners guarantees the right to communicate with the outside world, in Rule No. (37) stating that, “Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate with their family and reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and by receiving visits.” Rule No. (38) states that, “(1) Prisoners who are foreign nationals shall be allowed reasonable facilities to communicate with the diplomatic and consular representatives of the State to which they belong. (2) Prisoners who are nationals of States 9. In addition, the Code of Criminal Procedure promulgated by Legisla- 70