Geneva: Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, led Bahrain's delegation participating in the review of Bahrain's periodic report before the Committee Against Torture at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. The review examined the measures adopted by the Kingdom in relation to the rights enshrined in the Convention Against Torture and the progress made in ensuring compliance. The Committee monitors implementation of the Convention, and all state parties are required to submit regular reports on how these rights are upheld, with an initial report due one year after accession, followed by reports every four years.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Bahraini delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Interior; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf; the Government Hospitals Administration; the General Secretariat of Grievances; the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission; the Supreme Council for Women (SCW); and the Special Investigation Unit. It delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the legislative and institutional developments that have supported human rights protections in the Kingdom, in line with the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and guided by the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
During the country review, the delegation underscored that Bahrain's constitutional framework enshrines guarantees for preserving human dignity, prohibiting torture, ensuring judicial independence, and reinforcing fair trial rights. It also highlighted legislation that has increased penalties for torture-related crimes and abolished statutes of limitation for such offences.
The delegation outlined the positive outcomes of the Alternative Sentencing Programme and the Open Prisons Programme, from which more than 9,500 individuals have benefited, with one of the world's lowest recidivism rates at 2.5%. It also noted that the Open Prisons Programme received accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA) for 2024 after meeting a set of rigorous professional standards.
On accountability, the delegation gave a review of the judicial role of the Special Investigation Unit, which handled around 300 complaints over the past five years and secured criminal and disciplinary convictions in 23 cases involving 36 defendants, achieving a 100% conviction rate. This has contributed to reducing complaints within its jurisdiction by approximately 90%.
The delegation also highlighted the essential role of national independent oversight bodies, including the Ombuds Office, which received 2,547 complaints over the past four years and successfully resolved the vast majority of them, and the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission, which conducted ten announced and unannounced visits to rehabilitation and detention centres between 2020 and 2025.
On healthcare for inmates, the delegation noted that medical services have been under the management of Government Hospitals since 2022, as part of efforts to enhance service standards and ensure that healthcare provided within rehabilitation and correctional centres matches that available to citizens across public hospitals and health centres.
The delegation also reviewed ongoing child protection efforts under the 2021 Restorative Justice for Children Law, including the establishment of specialised units within the Ombuds Office and the Public Prosecution to ensure that children are protected and their cases managed according to the highest standards in handling cases involving children.
Minister Al Maawda emphasised that Bahrain's participation in this constructive meeting with the Committee Against Torture reflects the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to promoting human rights and safeguarding human dignity. He emphasised the delegation's keenness to present an accurate and transparent picture of the significant legislative and institutional developments achieved in criminal justice, humane reform, independent oversight, and fair trial guarantees.
The Minister highlighted the integrated national framework in Bahrain that upholds the rule of law, strengthens accountability, and advances correctional programmes that have proven effective in reintegrating individuals and safeguarding society. He underscored the Kingdom's legal obligations arising from its accession to the Convention Against Torture and its commitment to submitting periodic reports on implementation, as well as discussing progress before the Committee, reflecting Bahrain's consistent approach, respect for its international commitments, and fulfilment of its obligations under the international human rights system.