OHCHR delegation concludes visit to Bahrain

The delegation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued the following statement at the end of its six-day mission in Bahrain: The delegation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) concluded its visit today after a six days mission aimed at exploring avenues for OHCHR’s engagement with Bahrain with regard to the protection and promotion of human rights. During its visit, the delegation was received by the highest authorities of the Government, including the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Interior, Justice, Information, Labour, Education and Health. It met with representatives of other institutions, including the chief of the National Police, the head of the National Security Agency and its newly established ombudsman, the Attorney General, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the Ministry of Interior's Ombusman, the police academy, Bahrain University, as well as members of Parliament and of Shura Council of Representatives. Discussions were held with the High Coordination Committee for Human Rights, chaired by the Minister for Human Rights, the National human rights institutions, the United Nations Country Team, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The delegation also met with human rights and other civil society actors, representatives of political parties, of the private sector, workers unions, as well as families of detainees and other victims of human rights violations, including some of the 31 persons who had their nationality revoked or their families. It visited the Jau prison and met with the 13 prisoners whom it had visited in December 2011, as well as several other prisoners it had sought to meet. It also visited the Hoora detention centre. This mission was an opportunity to explore with the Government and other Bahraini interlocutors, including civil society organisations, the potential for developing cooperation that would lead to tangible results for the people of Bahrain. It was briefed about the reforms undertaken to strengthen legal and national institutions critical to the promotion and protection of human rights in Bahrain, and in particular the steps thus far taken to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). It received multiple requests for capacity building activities from a wide range of interlocutors. It discussed the High Commissioner’s concerns, as outlined in her statement of 22 November, relating to the need for an effective accountability process for the human rights violations of the past and the importance of civil society participation in any effort aimed at furthering the protection and promotion of human rights in the Kingdom. Throughout, the visit was coordinated by the Ministry of Human Rights at the satisfaction of the delegation, in close consultation with the United Nations Resident Coordinator. At the close of the visit on 6 December, the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance for Bahrain of the cooperation with the High Commissioner’s office. He confirmed the Government's consideration to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OP-CAT), and its invitation of the Special Rapporteur on Torture in February. He extended an official invitation to the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the country at a mutually convenient date. The mission will report its findings and observations to the High Commissioner who will consider the level, scope and terms of the cooperation that the OHCHR will propose for discussion to the Government of Bahrain. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Concludes its Needs Assessment Mission in Bahrain.