The Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is an independent UN body that evaluates and accredits national human rights institutions to ensure compliance with international standards.
In its latest report, published on 20 November 2024, the SCA recommended that Bahrain’s National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) retain its “B” status, indicating that it does not fully comply with the Paris Principles.
Summary
The SCA raised critical concerns about the NIHR’s performance, which undermine its credibility as an independent body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights. Significant issues detailed in the report include:
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- Failure to investigate allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment;
- Lack of transparency and public accountability;
- Insufficient engagement with civil society, including human rights defenders;
- Issues of independence in the selection and appointment of its members
These issues are not aligned with international standards, prevent victims of human rights violations from accessing justice, and undermine trust in the Institution.
The SCA thus made critical recommendations about addressing systematic human rights violations as well as the NIHR’s human rights mandate, meaningful engagement with civil society, and the selection and appointment process.
See the full briefing here.
