1.14. 1.15. 1.16. 1.17. 1.18. guidance of its employees, as well as continuous and effective implementation of the functions of the NIHR. With regard to NIHR’s competence in the area of promotion and protection of human rights, the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) recommended that the NIHR’s Establishment Law should include conducting unannounced field visits to detention centers or any other similar place in order to monitor, investigate, and report human rights situation effectively and in a timely manner, as well as to undertake regular follow-up activities. The Sub-Committee also recommended that the NIHR should formalize the relationship with civil society organizations through regular and constructive interaction with all relevant stakeholders; the Sub-Committee valued the efforts and interaction of the NIHR in this regard. On the other hand, the Sub-Committee’s recommendations pointed out that the existing Establishment Law of the NIHR lacks provisions that deal effectively with the relevant ministries and the pertinent parliamentary committees. In addition, the Law did not clarify the process of submitting and approving the NIHR’s budget, noting the need to establish a financial control system so as not to prejudice its independence. With regard to the annual reports of the NIHR, the Sub-Committee's recommendations called for including a statement on human rights situation in the Kingdom in the reports, which has a direct impact on the promotion and protection of human rights in the State’s system. Recognizing the importance of promoting and protecting human rights, His Majesty the King issued on 9 October 2016 Decree-Law No. (20) of 2016 amending certain provisions of the Law Establishing the National Institution for Human Rights No. (26) of 2014, 3 in accordance with the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Accreditation (SCA), adopted by the Global Alliance of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (GANHRI), with the aim of strengthening the NIHR and granting it more powers to realize its objectives and to raise its international classification, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to the protection of human rights. The amendments made in Decree-Law No. (20) of 2016 amending certain provisions of Law No. (26) of 2014 Establishing the National Institution for Human Rights included the provision of paragraph (b) of Article (3), regarding membership conditions, where it stipulated that the members of the Council of Commissioners may be selected from members of the legislative authorities provided they do not form a majority in the Council of Commissioners and that they can participate in the discussion as non- 3 To view Law No. (26) of 2014 on Establishing the National Institution for Human rights amended by Decree-Law No. (20) of 2016, visit the NIHR’s website (www.nihr.org.bh). 6 NIHR_Bahrain©CRC_parallel report 2018