Bahrain: Bahrain’s main human rights watchdog has reported a 25 per cent drop in the number of complaints it received in its latest annual report.
The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) has just released its report for 2014, during which it investigated 88 complaints filed by a total of 119 people.
That is down from 118 in 2013 and 78 of the complaints were related to civil and political rights, while seven were related to economic, social and cultural rights and three were labelled “other issues”.
Twenty-four of the complaints involved the right to a fair trial and three were about freedom of residence and movement.
In addition, the NIHR also received complaints from inmates who were allegedly not allowed to communicate with their families or lawyers, or claimed they did not know the reasons for their arrest.
“We registered complaints related to mistreatment and violations of freedom of expression or gathering, that were all investigated by our teams last year,” said NIHR vice-chairman Dr Abdulla Al Deerazi.
The report was presented to His Majesty King Hamad by NIHR chairman Dr Aziz Abul this month.
It concluded that of the 88 complaints received, outcomes were still pending in 36 cases.
“Until the end of December 2014, NIHR received no response on them (the 36 pending cases) despite the fact that NIHR re-addressed the competent authorities with regard to these complaints,” stated the report.
However, it added 36 complaints were successfully resolved – while 16 were dismissed after investigation based on a lack of co-operation from complainants or no rights violations being uncovered.
The NIHR’s first report for 2013 criticised government agencies for a lack of co-operation in investigating claims, but Dr Al Deerazi said there had been an improved response in 2014.
“During the reporting period there were some challenges, but things have improved this year with government agencies now aware of the NIHR’s role,” he explained.
As an example, he cited the appointment of a new director at Jaw Prison, who gave the NIHR more access to the facility and opportunities to interview inmates who had grievances.
However, the report does highlight the plight of foreigners who have served jail sentences, but are still in detention because their deportation has been delayed due to travel
bans related to outstanding debts.
It documents 27 such cases, which were considered separate from the 88 complaints, and says the issue was raised with the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, which allegedly “did not enforce the deportation punishment issued against them (inmates)”.
“NIHR indicated that it is impermissible to deprive any person of his liberty except for reasons provided by the law, because judicial orders for travel bans do not give
rise to detention,” states the report.
Dr Al Deerazi said the NIHR had raised the problem with the Interior Ministry, which responded that the men had not been released because of the travel bans.
Another case saw the NIHR intervene abroad to help secure the release of a Bahraini arrested in Afghanistan, after helping the family obtain a good conduct certificate and other documents.
Meanwhile, the NIHR also provided administrative and consultative services in 124 cases.
In its recommendations the report calls for establishment of the Bahrain-headquartered Arab Court of Human Rights, as well as a mechanism for monitoring, following up and supervising the
implementation of its judgments.
The NIHR was formed by His Majesty in 2009 to work with state agencies and draft Bahrain’s rights reports, hold conferences and workshops, and develop efforts to promote human rights.
It was restructured in 2013 and had new members appointed for a renewable four-year term.
To file a complaint with the NIHR, visit www.nihr.org.bh and fill in the online form, send an e-mail to complaint@nihr.org.bh, call 17111666 or fax 17111600.
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