Geneva: The Ombuds Office took part in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation during sessions that reviewed Bahrain’s fourth periodic report before the Committee Against Torture. The discussions were held at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on November 18 and 19.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Ombuds Office presented its commitment to justice, transparency, and accountability by discussing its achievements, including maintaining institutional independence, addressing complaints with professionalism, enhancing oversight in correctional facilities, and fostering a culture of rights.
Ombudswoman Ghada Hameed Habib stated that the Office has gained international recognition for its expertise-sharing efforts, becoming a model for oversight bodies. She announced the creation of a specialised unit in 2024 dedicated to handling complaints from children in detention, a reform praised by the Committee as a significant step in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
The Committee acknowledged the progress made by the Kingdom in reformative justice and the improvement of conditions for young detainees. The Ombudswoman also underlined the Office’s ongoing development of methods in line with international best practices, continuous collaboration with global organisations, and praised the professional presentation made by the Bahrain delegation to the Committee.