A major human rights award will be presented to two Bahraini institutions by the European Union (EU) in a ceremony next week.

The Interior Ministry Ombudsman and the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), Bahrain's main rights watchdog, are being awarded the prestigious 2014 Chaillot Prize for the Promotion of Human Rights in the GCC Region, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

They have been chosen to receive the honour by the EU Delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for their endeavours in the field.

The head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Adam Kulach, will visit Bahrain to present the awards during a ceremony on Tuesday - the day before Human Rights Day will be observed by the international community.

“The Chaillot Prize is awarded to these organisations in order to acknowledge and further encourage their remarkable efforts and work for the promotion and protection of human rights in the kingdom of Bahrain,” said a statement from the EU Delegation's office in Riyadh yesterday (December 2).

It said annual reports released by both organisations earlier this year, outlining the human rights situation in Bahrain and listing recommendations, had played a large part in them receiving the award.

“The two laureates' first annual reports have been particularly noticed and appreciated for their comprehensive and sincere account of the country's human rights situation, as well as for their powerful and constructive recommendations on how to overcome proven deficiencies and shortcomings in important areas related to human rights,” said the statement.

The EU Delegation in Riyadh is responsible for relations with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, in co-operation with an EU office in the UAE.

The prize is named after the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10,1948 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

NIHR vice-chairman and complaints monitoring and follow-up committee head Dr Abdulla Aldeerazi described the awards as a major honour.

“It reflects work done by the NIHR and the Ombudsman to promote human rights in the country is recognised by the EU and other UN apparatus,” said Dr Al Deerazi.

“The NIHR annual report released earlier this year was seen by the EU officials, who reviewed different aspects including the spread of human rights culture and education in the country.”

He said NIHR worked closely with the Ombudsman in dealing with complaints and co-operated at different levels.

“After receiving this award, it makes our case stronger when we apply next year for the NIHR in Bahrain to get accredited with 'A status’,” Dr Al Deerazi said.

Institutions accredited with 'A status' by the UN are considered to be in full compliance with the Paris Principles, which are used as guidelines for human rights work, and enjoy greater access to UN bodies involved in the field.

The Ombudsman was set up last year to investigate allegations of torture and police misconduct.

The office operates independently at the Interior Ministry and has investigated several complaints made by citizens and expatriates against security forces or non-uniformed personnel.

It released a report last year following a visit to the Jaw prison and called for urgent action to reduce overcrowding.

The NIHR was formed by His Majesty King Hamad in 2009 to draft rights reports, hold conferences and workshops and promote human rights in Bahrain.

It was restructured last year and new members were appointed for a renewable four-year term.

The winner of the Chaillot award last year was the King Khalid Foundation for its work in combating domestic violence in Saudi Arabia.

The Be-Free Centre in Bahrain was the recipient in 2009 for its activities in preventing online child pornography, trafficking and abuse. - TradeArabia News Service