UPR Info

Argentina commits itself to put into practice the mechanism contained in the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture and to continue the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Discrimination in all its aspects, and also to promote the second stage of the National Plan of Human Rights

Argentina reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening the protection of human rights at a universal and regional level, and also to preserve and strengthen the role of NGOs in the promotion and defence of human rights.

In the same line, Argentina pledges to recognize the competence of the Committee under the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Argentina has initiated the procedure towards the recognition of the competence of the Committee of the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance to examine individual or inter-State communications.

Although there are no cases of torture in the Kingdom, Bahrain's steadfast desire to enhance the professionalism of law enforcement personnel has prompted it to ask the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for assistance in developing and improving human rights curricula and training courses.

Argentina will promote the adoption by the Human Rights Council of a declaration on the right to truth and memory.

Awareness-raising and support for the full participation of civil society, beginning with follow-up to the consideration of Bahrain's report in April 2008.

Bahrain is committed to contributing to the current process of human rights standard-setting at the United Nations and to participating in United Nations human rights forums where human rights standards are discussed (for example, the Forum on Minority Issues, which is due to meet in Geneva in September 2008).

Continue to participate actively in meetings of the Economic and Social Council and its various commissions and in the General Assembly and Security Council.

Bahrain will examine the possibility of issuing an annual or a periodic national report on the human rights situation on the ground.

In the area of the rights of migrants, follow-up to programmes and the national plan for the human development of migrants and the promotion and protection of migrants and their families

Bahrain will consider seriously the possibility of enacting a law on combating racial discrimination.

In keeping with domestic law and Bahrain's pledges under the international human rights treaties, the periodic review will be used as a further opportunity to promote the use of existing means of redress and explore any concrete measures that may be helpful in this regard.

Bahrain is determined to strengthen its capacities in order to ensure: Follow-up to the concluding observations of the human rights treaty bodies.

Examination of the idea of creating a national action plan to implement the outcome of the universal periodic review

In the area of persons with different sexual orientation, implementation of a national system to guarantee equality and non-discrimination

In order to strengthen implementation of its obligations under human rights treaties, Bahrain will explore the possibility of creating a working group made up of government ministries with competence for human rights to carry out coordination and follow-up activities.

Bahrain will continue its efforts to achieve comprehensive development, with the emphasis on the centrality of human rights in development and the importance of supporting a culture of human rights by all available means, including through education, the media, etc.

Bahrain is determined to strengthen its capacities in order to ensure: Effective implementation of its obligations under the international human rights treaties which it has ratified and signed.

Consolidation of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, in line with the Paris Principles, by giving it legislative status, reinforcing its administrative and financial autonomy, expanding its prerogatives - self-referral, impromptu visits to prisons, individual appeals, and developing its means of action to stand against all forms of rights violation

The application of best practices in all areas of the universal periodic review process, beginning with the preparation of the report in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, in order to guarantee the implementation of the outcome of the review and follow-up on the progress made by Bahrain in implementing the outcome.

The Ministry of Interior consistently states that it has no objection to peaceful demonstrations provided they are conducted lawfully and participants do not engage in criminal acts of rioting.

Bahrain is fully committed to supporting non-governmental organizations through legal and other instruments so as to develop a constructive dialogue with these organizations and other stakeholders.

The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination pointed out that Bahraini law provides no definition of racial discrimination that includes the criteria set out in article 1 of the Convention. The Committee also asked for additional information on housing. The Kingdom of Bahrain will duly include in its next report to the Committee additional information on the follow-up to the Committee's concluding observations and recommendations.

Commitments undertaken to promote the collective rights of afro-Ecuadorian and indigenous peoples, dissemination through a broad process of the outcome of the conference on the elimination of racial discrimination to be held next year in Geneva, adoption of the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people with regard to free and equal access to services in the administration of justice

Measures will be introduced to streamline the implementation of the recommendations of the Human Rights Committee. The mandate of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Matters Concerning the European Court of Human Rights will be extended to integrate therewith decisions of the Human Rights Committee

Bahrain undertakes to begin implementing the articles and provisions of the Act on trafficking in persons.

Bahrain is currently examining the idea of drafting a national action plan on human rights education as soon as possible, in conjunction with relevant entities and organizations in Bahrain, and with expert input from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Bahrain is determined to strengthen its capacities in order to ensure: Timely submission of reports under these treaties [under the international human rights treaties which it has ratified and signed].

Continue to participate actively in follow-up to the proceedings of relevant conferences, including the forthcoming review of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.