In its report, Alkarama first denounced the lack of independence of the institution vis-à-vis the executive. Echoing our concern, the Sub-Committee on Accreditation pointed towards the fact that members of the NIHR are appointed by royal decree. It stressed that the NIHR "lacks a clear, transparent and participatory selection and appointment process for [its]decision-making body" and insisted on the necessity of a merit-based selection process to ensure the "independence of, and public confidence in, the senior leadership of the NIHR."

The Sub-Committee on Accreditation further emphasised that the NIHR membership of political representatives such as parliamentarians and members of the Shura Council may negatively impact the real or perceived independence of the institution.

Expressing its concern about allegations made on the lack of responsiveness of the NIHR with regards to complaints of human rights defenders, the SCA recalled that the mandate of NHRIs was to promote and protect the respect of all human rights of all individuals and in all circumstances. In its report to the SCA, Alkarama regretted that the Bahraini NIHR had for instance failed to address the issue of systematic persecution of political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders in its annual reports of 2013 and 2014. The SCA encouraged the NIHR to "interpret its mandate in a broad and purposive manner, and to promote and protect human rights of all."

Finally, the Sub-Committee resonated Alkarama's concerns and recommended that reports on visits conducted by the NIHR to places of detention be made public in order to increase the transparency of the institution. It further encouraged the NIHR to conduct "unannounced visits as this limits opportunities for detaining authorities to hide or obscure human rights violations and facilitates greater scrutiny."

Alkarama welcomes the SCA decision to give the Bahraini National Institution for Human Rights the B status and urges the NIHR to implement the Committee's recommendations in order to fully comply with the Paris Principles and create a body trusted by the public and effective in protecting the rights of the people.

Alkarama further recommends that the NIHR publicly reports on its budget, funding and spending in a transparent manner and make the individual complaints mechanism accessible to all.

Click here to read Alkarama's full report to the SCA.

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