Al-Maawda praises establishment of ombudsman independent office

Interior Ministry Ombudsman Secretary-General Nawaf Mohammed Al-Maawda said today the issuance of Royal Decree No. 35 of 2013 that stipulates amending Provisions of Decree No. 27 of 2012 regarding the establishment of the Independent Ombudsman Office at the Ministry of Interior is of a great importance and will boost administrative work and expand the powers of the Office, affirming it shows the confidence of the Kingdom of Bahrain in promoting the principles of human rights and the rule of law. On last night Bahrain TV 8 o'clock news, Al-Maawda explained the most important of the added powers is the implementation and effectiveness of the recommendation 1722 (d), which gives the Independent Office the authority to visit prisons, detention centers and juvenile prisons to ensure legal procedures are properly applied and the detainees are not subjected to any kind of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment. Noting the Office has been also given the authority to consider negative effective acts undertaken by the Interior staff, which leads to a loss of public trust in them, in addition to the consideration of the applications of civil settlements and providing feedback. He concluded by stressing the Kingdom of Bahrain always proactive in taking bold steps to support and update its institutions to cope with other ombudsman offices in other countries, as well as to enhance confidence among the public and MOI staff, pointing there will be no one above the law and this Office ensures the accountability of anyone violates the law.