NIHR presents parallel report to Committee Against Torture in Geneva

Geneva, Nov. 18 (BNA):  A delegation from the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), led by Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, Chairman of the NIHR, held a meeting with the Committee Against Torture at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

The Committee is composed of ten independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by States Parties.

The meeting reviewed the parallel report submitted by the NIHR to the Committee, relating to Bahrain’s fourth national report to the Committee Against Torture.

Al Derazi explained that the institution’s report included three main sections.  The first section addressed national legislation regulating the prevention of torture and other forms of cruel treatment.  The second section detailed the NIHR’s implementation of its mandate to monitor the State’s compliance with its obligations under the Convention.  The Committee was informed of several matters, including complaints received by the institution regarding allegations of torture and the actions taken in response, as well as the training and awareness programmes conducted by the NIHR for law enforcement officials, civil society institutions, and human rights defenders.

He added that the report concluded with several recommendations aimed at supporting and strengthening national legislation to ensure access to fair remedies and to promote human rights.

The Committee thanked the institution for its report, raised several queries regarding its contents, and engaged in discussions with the NIHR on ways and mechanisms to support and enhance human rights conditions to ensure fuller implementation of the Convention’s provisions and requirements.

The NIHR’s parallel report can be accessed by visiting the reports section on its official website:  www.nihr.org.bh, and is also available on the Committee Against Torture’s website:  www.ohchr.org.