'NIHR law is a unique step to protect human rights'

Manama : The Royal Decree on amending the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) Law has been described as a regional pioneering and unprecedented step to consolidate human rights.

Commenting on the issuance of Decree 20/2016 amending some of the provisions of the Law 26/2014 regarding establishment of the National Institution of Human Rights (NIHR), human rights activists and jurists affirmed that HM the King is the first defender of human rights in the Kingdom.

They declared that recent amendments have made the Law on the NIHR a role model across the GCC and the Arab world, noting that they have granted the NIHR wider powers and clear legal responsibilities to exercise its role and duties.

In this regard, the NIHR President, Dr. Abdulaziz Abul described the royal decree as a major step to develop human rights protection in the Kingdom and strengthen the work of the NIHR which was established by HM King Hamad.

He explained that although the existing law allowed  the NIHR to assume its role independently, the recent amendments sought to improve the NIHR’s work, in line with the kingdom’s belief in the importance of human rights.

“The royal decree adds to the rich record of landmark human rights achievements attained under the HM the King’s pioneering Reform Project, and to make announced and unannounced visits, in line with the leadership’s resolve to achieve the highest levels of human rights protection,” Criminal Law Professor at the University of Bahrain, Dr. Nora Shamlan, said.

Dr. Shamlan affirmed that the royal decree on amending the NIHR’s Law is a regional precedent as it ensured the independence of the NIHR in dealing with the Legislative Branch. He noted that Bahrain had voluntarily responded to the remarks featuring in the report of the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA), out of its belief in the need to protect and consolidate human rights.

Human rights activist and academician at the UoB, Abdul Jabbar Al-Tayyab that the wider powers granted to the NIHR in line with SCA, reflects a royal desire to deepen the role of the NIHR as a guarantor of human rights and freedom.