Compatibility and commitment to the international legal system

International conventions, charters, and treaties which the Kingdom of Bahrain has acceded to, which protect human rights and preserve their dignity.

Bahrain has made great strides in safeguarding and protecting human rights and preserving the dignity of citizens and residents, in accordance with its constitutional and legal frameworks. The Kingdom’s constitution guarantees the compatibility of local laws and policies with international conventions. This is the most important characteristic of Bahrain’s constitutional system, as it provides “direct access” to guaranteed human rights in the Kingdom as ensured by the constitution. This is in addition to its commitment to international human rights conventions and treaties, as Bahrain was the first Arab country to ratify some of them. Among the most important of these international conventions, charters, and treaties are:

Human rights

The Arab Charter on Human Rights issued by the League of Arab States in 1997, with some amendments added in 2005. The Kingdom of Bahrain signed this charter in 2005 and it was ratified in 2006.

Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination

International Conventions on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination adopted and opened for signature, ratification, and accession by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, 1965. It entered into force on January 4, 1969.

Combating torture and inhumane treatment

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which was adopted by the General Assembly and became open for signature, ratification, and accession on December 10, 1984. It entered into force on June 26, 1987.

Child Rights

The Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and entered into force on September 2, 1990. This is in addition to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in relation to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child which is related to the involvement of children in armed conflict.
Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, to which the Kingdom acceded in 2001.

Women's rights

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women adopted by the General Assembly on December 18, 1979, and entered into force on December 3, 1981

Civil and political rights

The International Treaty on Civil and Political Rights, which was adopted and opened for signature, ratification, and accession by the General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and entered into force on March 23, 1976

Economic, social, and cultural rights

The International Treaty on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which was adopted and opened for signature, ratification, and accession by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and entered into force on January 3, 1979

Labor rights

Convention No. 105 on the Elimination of Compulsory Labour, ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1998
Convention No. 111 regarding the prevention of discrimination in employment and occupation, which Bahrain acceded to in 2000

Rights of people with disabilities

Law No. (22) of 2011 ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Slavery and trafficking in persons

Decree No. (7) of 1990 regarding accession to the Slavery Convention of September 25, 1926, as amended by the 1953 Protocol, and the Supplementary Convention for the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Slavery-like Institutions and Practices 1956
Decree No. 1 of 2008 on combating trafficking in persons

Fighting crime

Rights of convicts

Law No. (18) of 2017 Concerning Penalties and Alternative Measures.
Royal Order No. (53) of 2020 establishing the Commission for the Rights of Prisoners and Detainees

Rights of the press, printing, and access to information

Decree No. 47 of 2002 regulating the press, printing, and publishing.

Bahrain is studying the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the government referred to the Council of Representatives.