NIHR Strategy 2015-2018

National Institution for Human Rights

Strategy and Action Plan

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(2018 - 2015)

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INTRODUCTION 1

In the context of developments in the Kingdom of Bahrain since launching the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, in 2001, and the substantial changes experienced by the Kingdom towards promoting further democratic frameworks and partnership in decision-making in order to entrench the pillars of the rule of law, in addition to the self-experience of the National Institution for Human Rights, NIHR aims to intensify its efforts to overcome the obstacles it faced, and implement three objectives. These objectives are: first, preparing the first annual report of NIHR, which will be submitted to His Majesty the King in February 2014, second: developing an executive program for its strategy and action plan for the years (2015-2019), third: building and developing NIHR capabilities to undertake these tasks.

NIHR has identified its objectives in accordance with clear vision and mission in order to carry out its mandate under establishment Law No. 26 of 2014. (NIHR establishment law).

1 Disclaimer: A substantial modification has been done to NIHR strategy and action plan for the years (2013-2016),

which were issued under the Council of Commissioners Resolution No. (6) for the year 2013, in accordance with the provisions of NIHR establishment law, to comply with the new competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after heading the Supreme Coordinating Commission for Human Rights, issued under the Prime Minister's decision No. (14) for the year 2014 , and the abolition of the Ministry of Human Rights Affairs in the new Cabinet by the Royal Decree No. (83) for the year 2014.

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VISION

“Human Rights Culture is a Lifestyle”

We hold the belief that the human rights issue is among national constants. Recognition of civil, political, economic, social or cultural public rights and freedoms, whether individual or collective rights, is a commitment to the values of justice, equality and human dignity of all human beings without discrimination.

MISSION

“Together to create a better practice of Human Rights”

We strive to develop, promote and protect human rights of the citizens and residents of Bahrain by providing protection and support for individuals to enable them to gain diverse knowledge to exercise their legitimate rights, determine their needs, how to demand and defend these needs through spreading the culture of human rights by all means available.

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OBJECTIVES

1. Disseminating a culture of human rights and defending these rights by all means available.

2. Educating individuals on the fundamental rights guaranteed to them under national legislation and international conventions.

3. Empowering individuals through various training programs to increase knowledge and awareness of fundamental rights and how to exercise them in a manner that ensures that all individuals enjoy these rights.

4. Expanding the network of communication with organizations specialized in the field of human rights at the national, regional and international levels.

5. Receiving complaints and monitoring and documenting human rights violations.

6. Providing the necessary information and legal assistance services for victims of human rights violations.

7. Preparing parallel reports, taking part in drafting and discussing reports committed to be submitted by the Kingdom periodically, and making remarks on these reports in implementation of regional or international human rights conventions.

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SERVICES PROVIDED BY NIHR

NIHR provides several services related to the promotion and protection of human rights and public freedoms, whether for individuals, official state institutions or civil society organizations, as follows:

(I) DISSEMINATING AND RAISING AWARENESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

1. Symposia, Workshops, Seminars and Conferences

In order to raise awareness of all types of rights and public freedoms, NIHR holds symposia, workshops, seminars and conferences covering all civil, political, economic, social, and cultural human rights issues. These events also introduce the UN mechanisms related to human rights, and discuss important relevant topics and concepts such as citizenship, democracy, rule of law, discrimination and torture.

Moreover, these cultural events concerned with human rights represent an opportunity for the various segments of society to exchange views in order to find the best ways to exercise fundamental rights and ensure the protection of these rights from any direct or indirect violation.

2. Target Groups

NIHR disseminates the culture of human rights among different categories according to national and international standards through training programs and specialized courses aimed at turning knowledge of human rights into practical skills. The most important target groups include:

• Judges and members of the Public Prosecution.

• Members of the Legislative Authority (Council of Representatives and Shura Council).

• Public officials concerned with the drafting of legislation or developing and implementing policies.

• Public officials responsible for drafting and submitting reports to the agencies of the international conventions on human rights.

• Law enforcement officials, including staff of the Bahrain Defense Force, Public Security Forces and the National Guard.

• Officials in Penal Institutions.

• Workers in the field of journalism and audio-visual media.

• Civil society institutions of various specializations.

• University and school students.

• Private companies and employment offices.

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(II) PROVIDING ADVICE

NIHR provides recommendations, suggestions and reports on a consultancy basis to all government and non-governmental agencies, whether on its own initiative or at the request of such agencies, on any issue related to the promotion, protection or development of human rights pursuant to Article (12), paragraphs a, b, c, d, f and h of NIHR establishment law, in the following fields:

1. Advice on Legislative Matters:

NIHR studies the legislations in force in the Kingdom and recommends the amendments it deems appropriate in this regard, particularly with respect to the conformity of such legislation with the Kingdom’s international obligations. NIHR may also make recommendations to promulgate new legislation related to human rights.

2. Advice on Implementation of International Conventions:

NIHR plays a role in enlightening the executive authority to accept international conventions, and informs them of the nature of the obligations resulting from the accession to or ratification of the international conventions. NIHR also provides advice on the conformity of national laws with the standards set out in the said conventions or whether there is a need to undertake additional legislative initiatives. Additionally, NIHR provides recommendations and suggestions on how to harmonize national legislation with international conventions, and gives advice on the need to implement the provisions of these international conventions at the national level.

3. Advice on Political Affairs:

Through its control over referenda and elections, NIHR provides its advisory opinion on the best democratic practices in political affairs. It also has a key role on how citizens exercise their political rights, including by the establishment of political associations and the exercise of their functions. Moreover, NIHR has an important role in the dissemination of political culture and principles of citizenship and their relationship to human rights pursuant to the provisions and principles of the National Action Charter and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, based on the internationally recognized concepts set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

4. Advice on Administrative Affairs:

NIHR monitors any bureaucratic behavior or pattern which violates or prevents the full enjoyment of the rights set out in the Constitution or the laws regulating such rights, or affects them, either directly or indirectly. NIHR clarifies the reasons that have led to such behavior and proposes the appropriate solutions to end or mitigate the effect of such behavior.

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5. Advice on Judicial Proceedings:

NIHR monitors the judicial proceedings to ensure that individuals enjoy fair trial guarantees by adopting international standards during investigation and trial and through monitoring substantial pleas and applications during the investigation, such as exposure to physical or moral coercion, prejudice to the guarantees of the accused, the public prosecution response to these guarantees, undue delay of trials, the availability of constitutional and legal guarantees during the trial, or any other procedures that are contrary to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and addressing these violations through recommendations submitted to the competent judicial authority.

(III) PREPARATION OF OR CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

NIHR prepares parallel reports for some of the international conventions that oblige states parties to submit regular reports to the committees established under these conventions to oversee the implementation thereof. Among the most important conventions that require reporting are the following:

1. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, (CERD).

2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (CCPR). 3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, (CESC). 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,

(CEDAW). 5. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment

or Punishment, (CAT). 6. Convention on the Rights of the Child, (CRC). 7. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and

Members of their Families, (CMW). 8. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD). 9. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced

Disappearance, (CED).

In cooperation with official authorities, NIHR participates in preparing national reports in accordance with human rights conventions.

(IV) RECEIPT OF COMPLAINTS AND MONITORING OF HUMAN RIGHTS

VIOLATIONS

NIHR receives complaints, reports and petitions from all individuals and entities with respect to violations against rights and public freedoms. It studies and refers these complaints, reports and petitions to the competent authorities and follows them up effectively, enlightens the concerned parties regarding the due procedures and helps them take such procedures, or assists in settling them with the concerned bodies.

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NIHR also monitors any violations of human rights, collects, analyses and reports relevant data in order to end these violations, and recommends taking a corrective action thereon. NIHR handles received complaints and monitored human right violations in accordance with a clear and specific mechanism which is published and disseminated to the public.

(V) FIELD VISITS

In the context of its mandate to promote and protect human rights in the Kingdom, NIHR conducts field visits regularly to places of detention, penal institutions, reform facilities and all relevant places. These field visits are conducted in coordination with the competent ministries, in order to verify the truth of complaints received by NIHR, propose appropriate solutions, make recommendations to improve the services provided in these places in the interest of human rights, and follow up and monitor sit-ins, strikes and protests.

(VI) PARTICIPATION IN THE PREPARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS NATIONAL

PLANS

During the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 19932, the World Conference on Human Rights recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. When drawing up its own action plan, each State should determine priorities in the field of human rights and identify the appropriate tools that would be used to implement the said plan.

A national action plan to improve human rights in the Kingdom cannot be drafted without concerted efforts between the executive authority, NIHR and civil society institutions. Therefore, the role of NIHR focuses on providing help, along with the relevant authorities, to draw up national action plans for human rights in the Kingdom as well as the mechanism for implementing this plan in accordance with a clear strategy, specific objectives and a set period of time.

2 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993): Section II, Paragraph C: Cooperation, development

and strengthening of human rights. Clause 71 states: “The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights.” Adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June 1993, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.157/24 (Part I).

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NIHR has adopted a strategy and action plan that is based on five themes:

1. Engagement in Human Rights Protection Efforts.

2. Promotion of Efforts in the Field of Legislative Development and Review.

3. Participation in the Preparation of an Extensive National Program for Human Rights Education.

4. Preparation of a Specialized Program to Promote Citizenship Rights and Support its Values.

5. Reinforcement of Cooperation at the National, Regional and International Levels

This strategy represents the goals envisaged by His Majesty the King's initiative to establish the National Institution for Human Rights under Law No. 26 of 2014, and the mandates assigned to it. The strategy indicates the desired objectives and the ways to achieve them.

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NIHR ACTION PLAN THEMES:

THEME I: ENGAGEMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION EFFORTS

NIHR has presented a set of ideas aimed at strengthening its powers through laying down its own law which provides it with further independence and potential to undertake its functions and powers.

In the next phase, NIHR will use the media and various means of communication to educate citizens on fundamental rights and freedoms and the ways to promote and protect these rights and freedoms, and ensure the exercise thereof. This is based on the fact that awareness of human rights is an essential input for protection from abuse and violation.

NIHR will also activate its powers in the field of receiving complaints, cooperate with the competent authorities to handle them, and promote access to and communication with complainants, through the following actions:

1. Releasing a guide for handling complaints, which will serve as a standard and reference for handling complaints, evaluating the issues of complaints, types of intervention, and best treatment methods according to the best applicable practices. The purpose of this guide is to empower the Complaints, Monitoring, and Follow-up Committee to activate its legal competence, support it with a technical unit, specialized human resources, and a training program, continuous updating, and exchange of experience with similar national institutions in the region.

2. Providing the Complaints and Monitoring Unit at the General Secretariat with human resources specialised in the provision of legal assistance to victims of human rights violations, whether at the level of litigation, mediation and follow-up, or at the level of raising awareness of the procedures to be followed in this regard. Providing the Complaints Unit with personnel specialised in field monitoring to enhance fact-finding and information gathering abilities.

3. Providing a hotline for receiving complaints and urgent calls and handling them according to pre-defined controls.

4. Maintaining and archiving complaints and the results reached in an organised manner in the database.

THEME II: PROMOTION OF EFFORTS IN THE FIELD OF LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

According to NIHR establishment law, NIHR is committed to review legislation related to human rights and propose alternatives, particularly in relation to the conformity of national legislation with international obligations of the Kingdom. For this purpose, NIHR will carry out the following:

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1. Forming a technical legal unit at the General Secretariat to undertake reviewing national legislation and proposing the necessary legislative amendments to such legislation according to the established opinions and decisions of the international human rights law.

2. Forming a part-time legal counselling team of specialists in drafting legislation and law-making fields to make use of their expertise in preparing bills and proposed law amendments, and drafting the necessary explanatory memoranda.

3. Strengthening the relationship with the Legislative Authority, including the Coucil of Representatives and Shura Council, in the areas related to NIHR functions, and establishing communication mechanisms with the competent committees and concerned departments in both councils.

4. Strengthening the relationship and cooperation with the ministries concerned with legislation and human rights in the Executive Authority, especially those concerned with justice, education, internal affairs, health, labour and human rights.

5. Recommending the importance of the legislative harmonization between the national legal system and international obligations in the field of human rights in order to achieve the national interest.

THEME III: PARTICIPATION IN THE PREPARATION OF AN EXTENSIVE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

Human rights education is one of the most fundamental pillars for achieving the desired objectives in the field of human rights, both in terms of the introduction of human rights and development of awareness thereof in a way that leads to a positive impact on behaviours and confinement of negative phenomena. This also aims to ensure the automatic integration of the principles and criteria of human rights in the development plans, claims, public policies and legislation.

Means of communication: “education, information and culture” are the essential tools for achieving the goals of human rights education. NIHR will benefit from the methodologies of United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education3 and the World Programme for Human Rights Education4 successively adopted by the UN since 1995. This will be done through the following:

1. Cooperating with the ministry concerned with education affairs in order to develop the integration of human rights in education, including:

a. Teaching human rights in the curricula of primary and secondary education.

b. Reviewing the curricula in general with the aim of improving the content related to human rights values, and changes related thereto, and ensuring

3 Resolution No. A/RES/49/184 adopted by the UN General Assembly, 23 December 1994, proclaiming the

ten-year period from 1995 to 2004 as the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education 4 Resolution No. A/RES/59/113 adopted by the UN General Assembly, 10 December 2004, on World

Program for Human Rights Education.

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compliance with the Kingdom of Bahrain international obligations in the areas of human rights.

2. Organising a specialised program for raising university students’ awareness of human rights in collaboration with public and private universities, and preparing an academic program specialised in the fields of human rights within the relevant graduate programs (e.g. international law, political science, and media).

3. Holding intellectual events and workshops focusing on raising human rights awareness among activists in the various audio, visual, printed and electronic media outlets. This is due to the fact that the media has a close relation to human rights. Particular attention should be paid to promote the coverage of human rights issues and to participate in the development of the public opinion awareness of these issues.

4. Organizing specialised training courses for media professionals to build knowledge and awareness in the field of human rights, and provide them with the skills to integrate human rights into the topics and issues addressed by them in order to give a positive role to their work as media figures in relation to human rights.

5. Paying attention to the provision and distribution of publications related to building knowledge of human rights through the media, school and university libraries, and institutions concerned with culture.

6. Obtaining spaces for free public service issues in the various media outlets to pass short communication messages and content related to human rights, which will contribute to changing some of the negative phenomena affecting the enjoyment of human rights.

7. Cooperating with civil society organizations interested in human rights in order to build an integrated awareness program, ensure the appropriate amount of coordination, and participation in the promotion and dissemination of human rights culture in society.

8. Adopting integrated information and awareness programs on human rights which serve activists in civil society organizations, charitable and humanitarian associations, professional associations, trade unions, and political associations.

9. Launching a national project in collaboration with the relevant parties in order to promote human rights in the policies and practices adopted by the relevant law enforcement bodies.

10. Adopting an integrated policy to promote on-going training for NIHR members and staff through conducting courses that relate to the particular needs and priorities connected to human rights principles, and through the exchange and sharing of experience with similar national institutions and other relevant bodies on the regional and international levels.

11. Supporting the establishment of human rights structures in various authorities and government agencies, while providing all the necessary technical support thereto.

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THEME IV: PREPARATION OF A SPECIALISED PROGRAM TO PROMOTE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND SUPPORT ITS VALUES

The interest in promoting the rights of citizenship and supporting the values thereof is the key way to promote human rights culture for all segments of society. To that end, NIHR intends to prepare an integrated sustainable project in cooperation with all relevant parties. This will be accomplished through:

1. Preparing an integrated awareness program related to citizenship rights and their values, identifying the deficiencies in these rights in order to raise awareness of and develop these rights.

2. Holding a regular annual or biennial national conference with the participation of the government and non-government institutions, and all other relevant parties in order to agree on a national action program and make practical recommendations and proposals to be followed in legislation, public policies, practice and everyday behaviour.

3. Taking the initiative and participating in enforcing recommendations and proposals in collaboration with the other relevant parties in order to ensure equality, equal opportunity and elimination of discrimination as fundamental bases of citizenship and tools to enhance the sense of national belonging, in line with the international standards of human rights and the Kingdom’s obligations related thereto.

THEME V: REINFORCEMENT OF COOPERATION AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS

Cooperation in the field of human rights at the national, regional and international levels is one of the key themes for strengthening NIHR role in carrying out its duties and functions, and meeting the requirements for activating its strategy. This includes:

1. COOPERATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

- Cooperating with the State legislative, executive and judicial authorities, and benefiting in particular from the concerned competent authorities, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry, the competent departments of the ministries, Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, other relevant parliamentary committees, High Coordinating Committee for Human Rights in Bahrain, and diplomatic missions accredited to the Kingdom.

- Cooperating with other relevant national institutions and bodies by signing memoranda of understanding with these bodies, notably institutes concerned with political development and public administration, studies and research centres, and national governmental and non-governmental committees and structures concerned with the activation of plans related to human rights, and coordinating with them to activate the recommendations of the overall periodic review of human rights and the final recommendations of contractual mechanisms with regard to the promotion of the realization of human rights in the Kingdom.

- Cooperating with the relevant civil society institutions, taking advantage of their

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ability for identifying the needs of citizens and their expertise in bridging the various gaps, and strengthening the role of these institutions in the field of human rights.

2. COOPERATION AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

- Cooperating with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly the Human Rights Office formed within the structure of the Secretariat General. The Office underscores the achievements that have been and are made by the GCC countries in the field of human rights.

- Cooperating with the relevant institutions of the League of Arab States (AL), namely the Permanent Arab Committee for Human Rights, the Arab Human Rights Committee “Committee for the Arab Charter on Human Rights,” expert committees set up by the AL in the areas of human rights, and relevant departments and agencies specialized in international humanitarian law, women, children, people with special needs, and the elderly.

- Cooperating with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) institutions, particularly the OIC Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights, aimed to promote “human rights and serve the interests of the Islamic nation,” and promote respect for cultures and dialogue of civilizations according to the principles and objectives of the OIC Charter. This is in addition to cooperating with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

- Intensifying and developing cooperation with National Institutions for Human Rights in the Arab world and the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), as well as with the Arab Organization for Ombudsman (Integrity Monitoring System), which includes complaint receiving institutions in the Arab world.

- Cooperating with experienced and competent regional non-governmental organizations operating in the field of human rights to benefit from their expertise in the field of human rights promotion and protection.

3. Cooperation at the International Level

- Cooperating with the relevant United Nations organizations, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), engaging in their activities and events and taking advantage of the programs of technical cooperation and exchange of experiences.

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- Engaging in the activities of UN bodies concerned with human rights, particularly the UN Human Rights Council and its special procedures, and the Contractual and Contractual Mechanisms for human rights, cooperating with the International Coordinating Committee concerned with National Human Rights Institutions (ICC), Asia Pacific Forum (APF), and other bodies concerned with human rights.

- Cooperating with International Governmental and Non-governmental Organisations concerned with human rights, and benefiting from their expertise in this regard.

16 | NIHR Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2018)

Action Plan of the National Institution for Human Rights- Kingdom of Bahrain

THEME I: ENGAGEMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION EFFORTS

Sub- Objectives Activities Outputs/Performance Indicators Relevant NIHR

Directorates Participating Agency

1

Developing the existing complaint system and adopting an announced regulation covering all stages of complaints or grievances received by NIHR

1. Preparing and adopting a regulation on the basis of international standards for the system of complaints and grievances received by NIHR.

2. Developing an electronic system to receive and follow up on complaints, and provide training thereon.

1. Adopting a regulation based on international standards for the reception of complaints and grievances by NIHR.

2. Implementing the developed complaint electronic program.

Legal Affairs Directorate

Information Technology Directorate

United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre

National Institutions for Human Rights (Regional and International).

National Human Rights Societies.

2

Adopting standard mechanisms for monitoring human rights conditions in all areas in the Kingdom

1. Forming a team specialized in monitoring human rights conditions.

2. Providing a number of specialized training courses.

Providing a number of specialised training courses on surveillance and monitoring for NIHR members and Secretariat staff.


Training and Education Directorate

United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre

National Human Rights Societies.




3

Aligning between preventive and remedial approaches in addressing and avoiding the violations of human rights

1. Providing a number of training courses to define, overcome and avoid human rights violations.

2. Holding seminars and meetings to introduce NIHR and its services.

1. Conducting an information campaign to introduce NIHR, human rights and the mechanisms required for protecting these rights. 2. Constantly updating NIHR website and its publications. 3. Issuing audiovisual and printed media materials to identify human rights violations for preventive and remedial purposes. 4. Preparing a guide for visits, especially the visits to reform and rehabilitation centers and other places of detention.



Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Interior

Ministry of Labor

A team of ministries concerned with prisons.

4

Adopting an assistance mechanism based on the principle of empowering actual enjoyment of rights

1. Appointing qualified liaison officers to connect NIHR to the competent ministries.

2. Training protection officers on the skills related to the performance of their work.

Providing training courses for NIHR employees.



Ministries and public institutions

Civil society Associations

Some professional associations, such as the Medical and Bar Associations




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Promoting the enjoyment of rights by the most vulnerable groups (women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and inmates in reform and rehabilitation centers)

1. Conducting media campaigns, including audio, visual, readable and electronic advertisements.

2. Providing a number of training courses and specialized seminars for the most vulnerable groups.

3. Providing a number of training courses, specialized seminars and meetings for the legislative, executive and judicial authorities.

1. Implementing three media campaigns about the most vulnerable groups.

2. Holding training courses & specialized seminars for the most vulnerable groups.

3. Holding specialized seminars and meetings for the legislative, executive and judicial authorities.


Training and Education Directorate.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Interior

Information Affairs Authority

THEME II: PROMOTION OF EFFORTS IN THE FIELD OF LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

Sub- Objectives Activities Outputs/Performance Indicators

Relevant NIHR Directorates

Participating Agency

1 Aligning national legislation with international conventions ratified in

1. Developing a programme for national legislation analysis from human rights perspective and

- Conducting a study to determine the priority legislation to be reviewed. - Making proposals to amend the

Legal Affairs Directorate.

Training and

Human Rights Committees of the Council of Representatives and





the various work fields of NIHR.

analysing a number of national legislation related to human rights during the period of the plan.

2. Establishing a network of legal experts to study and analyse the relevant legislation, propose amendments and draft the proposed laws.

legislation that have been amended through the study.

Education Directorate.

the Shura Council.


Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission.

2

Making legislative proposals in the various work fields of NIHR

1. Holding workshops and seminars to discuss, ratify and adopt the proposed amendments.

2. Following up the meetings of the Council of Representatives and Shura Council, and the proceedings of national and international legislative bodies and committees.

Holding workshops and training seminars



- Human Rights Committees of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council.

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3 Consolidating the international standards of human rights

1. Launching a program to consolidate the international standards of human rights for all

Holding national meetings with the various spectra to win support for the international conventions on human rights


Training and Education

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- Ministry of Interior. - Ministry of Labor





national legislative, executive and judicial procedures.

2. Conducting studies that promote common human values in different cultures in the area of human rights.

Directorate.

- Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs.

- National Institutions for Human Rights

4

Supporting accession to new international conventions

1. Conducting a comprehensive study of the Kingdom’s position with respect to all international conventions on human rights, and identifying the possibility of lifting the reservations, acceding to new agreements and ratifying the agreements that have not yet been ratified.

2. Organising meetings with the official competent authorities to gain support for the accession to international

1. Conducting seminars/forums on a regular basis.

2. Studies and research. 3. Conducting semi-annual

meetings with the official competent authorities to gain support for the accession to international conventions and ratification thereof.

4. Forming a national alliance with a group of the relevant civil society organizations.


Communications Directorate.

- Information Affairs Authority.

- Human Rights Associations.

- National Institutions for Human Rights (regionally and Internationally)

-





conventions and/or lifting the reservations to the provisions of ratified agreements.

3. Forming national alliances to mobilize support for the ratification of additional international conventions deemed necessary by NIHR to accede thereto and/or removal of the reservations to other conventions.

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Participation in the preparation of reports on human rights issues

1. Participation in the preparation of reports on the Kingdom’s obligations under ratified international conventions as well as voluntary commitments, and following up the implementation thereof by the government.

2. Urging the government and civil society

1. Participating in the preparation of reports.

2. Conducting workshops on the overall periodic review.




Ministry of Interior.

Ministry of Labor.

Civil society organizations

Human Rights Associations.

National Institutions for Human Rights (regional and





institutions to submit reports to international and regional bodies on the specified dates, and providing advice and counsel thereto upon their request.

International).

THEME III: PARTICIPATION IN THE PREPARATION OF AN EXTENSIVE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION




1

Educating and informing citizens and residents of human rights, and national and international protection mechanisms related thereto.

1. Preparing and conducting a number of audiovisual and printed awareness and education programs on the overall human right issues, and the relative national and international multilevel protection mechanisms addressing different age groups.

2. Implementing publication and release programs

1. Implementing audiovisual and printed awareness and education programs about human rights

2. Releasing publications that address issues related to human rights (Human Rights Culture Series).

3. Releasing booklets, including a number of international conventions on human rights.

4. Issuing Bahrain Human Rights Journal.




Various media outlets

United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region.

University of Bahrain.

Ahlia University.

Applied Science





University.

Accredited Foreign Missions in Kingdom of Bahrain.

2

Exploiting national and international events for raising awareness and education on human rights

Developing an agenda to celebrate the international, national and regional events related to human rights in order to shed light on these events and related rights through statements and articles in daily newspapers.

1. Releasing a guide of national and international events and identifying the rights related thereto.

2. Organizing a number of events in conjunction with the national and international events





United Nations Development Programme UNDP)

3 Contributing to the training of law enforcement officials to take human rights requirements into account when performing their duties (e.g. judges, official employees, policemen, academics, teachers,

1. Preparing manuals and publications addressed to selected categories related to human rights management and protection.

2. Implementing a series of training courses on various levels (entry, advanced, specialised) over the years of the

1. Manuals, publications and releases to give information on human rights.

2. Delivering training courses to disseminate human rights culture, and promote the values thereof.





University of Bahrain

Supreme Judicial Council





professionals, civil society organizations, media people, activists, human rights advocators, and mosque preachers).

action plan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of the Interior.

Ministry of Labor.

4 Disseminating international conventions (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

Disseminating and promoting these conventions in the media

1. A media campaign to circulate the two conventions.

2. Holding a number of seminars and training courses to introduce the two conventions.




Ministry of Education

Information Affairs Authority

5 Contributing to capacity-building of public administrations, civil society organizations, and professional and factional organizations concerned with human rights and public freedoms, and

1. Conducting a national survey to identify all official bodies and civil society organizations in the field of human rights (a study).

1. Providing a number of training courses on human rights principles and international mechanisms developed to

1. Identifying the needs of all official bodies and civil society organizations in the field of human rights in a scientific manner.

2. Implementing a number of training courses for national capacity-building in the field of human rights for the organizations concerned with human rights and





United Nations Development Programme





providing them with opinion and advice.

protect these principles. public freedoms. (UNDP).


Ahlia University.

Applied Science University.

THEME IV: PREPARATION OF A SPECIALIZED PROGRAM TO PROMOTE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND SUPPORT ITS VALUES

Sub- Objectives Activities

Outputs/Performance Indicators



1

Raising awareness on the values and principles of citizenship and human rights, and promoting them in all educational stages.

1. Implementing a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Education, which includes studies and educational courses for teachers and students.

2. Preparing manuals for human rights education for all levels of education.

1. Conducting a study on the Right to Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

2. Implementing a program for spreading the culture of human rights in schools.

3. Releasing manuals for human rights education for all levels of education.





Ahlia University.







2

Incorporating citizenship rights in university education system.

1. Signing a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Education to incorporate the rights of citizenship in university education system.

2. Holding meetings with the departments of the University of Bahrain in order to urge them to take action for delivering human rights education.

3. Holding meetings and academic seminars on human rights

1. Signing a memorandum of Understanding with education institutions in the Kingdom.

2. Holding meetings and academic seminars on human rights concepts and values.





Ahlia University.


3 Launching and adopting national, regional and international initiatives related to the protection and promotion of rights and consolidation of the concept of citizenship rights.

1. Preparing training and educational manuals on various issues of human rights for all categories.

2. Ensuring NIHR’s participation in all planning and evaluation efforts related to national development, and promoting human rights perspective in development.

1. Releasing training and educational manuals relevant to the protection and promotion of human rights.

2. Organising and attending seminars and conferences related to citizenship, human rights and development.



Ministries of Foreign Affairs.


Ministry of Labor

Civil society institutions.






4

Reinforcing correlation between citizenship and human rights

1. Holding a periodical Arab/international conference on citizenship and human rights in order to promote the prospects for investment in human rights, and linking them to all development areas.

2. Holding national seminars and dialogues on issues of citizenship and human rights for planners and decision-makers

1. Holding conferences. 2. Hosting seminars and

dialogues on development and human rights issues.





Ministry of Labor.

Civil society institutions.

5 Strengthening the role of social responsibility of the private sector in promoting human rights development and protection options.

Implementing activities (e.g. meetings, visits and dialogues) for the preparation of national and regional plans and policies related to the promotion of the importance of planning and cooperation with the bodies concerned with human rights.

1. Identifying the institutions supporting and sponsoring NIHR’s activities and events.

2. Investing NIHR resources in collaboration with the private sector



Ministry of Labor

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Private sector companies


THEME V: REINFORCEMENT OF COOPERATION AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS




1

Strengthening relations of cooperation with national, Arab, regional and international bodies concerned with human rights

1. Hosting and supporting national, Arab and regional and international conferences, seminars and activities on various topics related to human rights.

2. Concluding cooperation agreements and signing memoranda of understanding.

3. Organizing experience-exchange programs with similar institutions and international organizations.

1. Creating a database for national, regional and international bodies.

2. Implementing cooperation agreements and signing memoranda of understanding.

3. Participating in the annual meetings of the national institutions for human rights



United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region

Asia Pacific Forum (APF) - International Coordinating Committee (ICC)

Relevant UN agencies and organizations.

2 Strengthening NIHR’s and the Kingdom’s membership in regional and international bodies related to human rights

1. Proposing initiatives closely related to human rights, which can be launched and adopted by the Kingdom of Bahrain at international and regional forums.

1. Participating in the meetings of the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) and Asia Pacific Forum (APF).

2. Participating in the meetings of Human Rights Council.



Asia Pacific Forum (APF).






2. Contributing to the preparation of reports (required during the plan’s time) and preparation of parallel reports.

International Human Rights organizations.

3

Interacting and following-up regional and international events and occasions.

Participating in regional and international meetings and presenting worksheets, specialised reports and data to regional and international meetings related to human rights.

1. Exchange of experiences. 2. Knowledge transfer. 3. Capacity building. 4. Technical Cooperation.





UN agencies and organizations.


International Human Rights organisations.

Civil society Institutions.





4 Helping agencies, departments and civil society organizations concerned with human rights in building structures and frameworks and training their members and cadres on know-how, skills and values necessary to achieve their objectives as to protecting and promoting rights and freedoms.

1. Developing legislative proposals to ensure the freedom of action and financial and administrative. independence of civil society organizations

2. Cooperating with civil society organizations to monitor human rights situation and issue specialized reports.

1. Conducting a study on the legislation governing the work of civil society organizations.

2. Determining a mechanism to monitor the status of the rights of the most vulnerable groups.



University of Bahrain

Human Rights Committees of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council.


5 Forming and establishing networks and alliances between local civil society organizations to expand the horizons and potentials of work on the subjects of common interest.

1. Forming a mechanism to support the work of national civil society organizations.

2. Holding regular joint meetings between non-governmental organizations related to the fields of human rights.

1. Determining a clear agenda for regular meetings.

2. Delivering a number of training courses.




International Human Rights organizations.






3. Holding training courses for the training of non-governmental organizations’ cadres on various human rights issues and other relevant know-how and skills.

6

Completing the building of NIHR’s capacity in various technical and substantive aspects.

1. Training NIHR’s staff on work-related skills.

2. Interactively developing NIHR’s website and updating it continuously.

3. Evaluating and developing NIHR’s organizational structure and updating the financial and accounting systems.

4. Holding meetings with major companies and organizations in the private sector to support NIHR’s activities within

1. Forming NIHR’s team for training on human rights fields.

2. Updating NIHR’s library and linking it electronically to sources of information related to human rights and relative conventions, laws and official documents.

3. Issuing internal manuals for NIHR’s units.

4. Establishing a special quality assurance unit within NIHR’s organisational structure and developing performance standard specifications.




Information Technology Directorate.

Human and Financial Resources Directorate.

Human Rights Committees of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.


Ahlia University.


Relevant UN agencies and organizations.





the scope of the social responsibility of these companies.

5. Automating all technical, administrative and financial works of NIHR.

United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region



International Human Rights Organizations.

7

Forming a national team of trainers in the field of human rights

Delivering a number of specialised training courses with respect to the preparation of trainers.

Forming a national team of trainers in the field of human rights.





National Human





Rights Societies.

International Human Rights Organizations.

NIHR Strategy 2015-2018

Documents

Transcript of NIHR Strategy 2015-2018