Dec 18, 2013
The Ombudsman for the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Nawaf Al Moawda, gave a presentation at the Consultative Council on Friday, 12/12/13, which was attended by members from both houses of the National Assembly.
The presentation focused upon the importance of ensuring accountability with regarding to receiving complaints against members of the Ministry of Interior, and the Office's role in monitoring prisons and places of detention.
The Ombudsman highlighted that the aim of the presentation was to familiarize the members of the legislative authority with the working methods of his office, the work that has been undertaken, and his plans for moving forward. He added that the Ombudsman Office satisfies and requirements of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's (BICI) recommendations specific to it and; therefore, they have been fully implemented.
Mr. Al Moawda also drew attention to the work and initiatives the Ombudsman Office has undertaken since its official in July of this year and the publication of the standards for visiting prisons and places of detention. He emphasized the administrative and financial independence of his office from the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, he underscored the importance of his office's ongoing work regarding receiving complaints from the public against any form of misconduct from any member of the Ministry of Interior in adhering to the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain and safeguarding human rights.
On their part, the parliamentarians inquired about the ongoing work of the Ombudsman Office, the rights of prisoner and detainees, the monitoring of prisons and places of detention, the legislative competence of the Office, and the degree of cooperation the Ministry of Interior has shown towards his Office's recommendations.
