Bahrain's main rights watchdog appointed by His Majesty King Hamad has accused some government agencies of failing to co-operate.

The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) said it received 118 complaints from the public last year, but in most cases failed to get a response from authorities, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It yesterday released its annual report for 2013, which revealed it sent 94 letters to 16 different government agencies and other bodies last year - but received just 45 responses.

There was no reply in 49 cases, despite 33 reminders being sent to officials.

"We have listed the name of the different ministries that responded to our queries and those that did not," said NIHR vice-chairman and complaints, monitoring and follow-up committee head Dr Abdulla Al Deerazi.

"To be frank and fair, most of the ministries did get back to us - but there were also those that never responded."

He was speaking during a press conference at the NIHR, in Seef, to launch the annual report in the presence of NIHR president Dr Aziz Abul and secretary-general Dr Ahmed Farhan.

The report says the Public Prosecution responded to 18 of 28 requests for information, the Interior Ministry responded to nine of 27 requests, the Housing Ministry responded to two of three requests, the Health Ministry responded to two of four requests and the Supreme Judicial Council responded to two of six requests.

Thirteen requests were sent to the Education Ministry, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry and the Interior Ministry Ombudsman, but there was only one response from each.

However, the Social Development Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Electricity and Water Authority, Information Affairs Authority, Alba and Bapco responded to all requests.

"The Cabinet should require all ministries and government agencies to provide the National Institution with the information required in no later than two months, or within a shorter period if necessary, and assign an officer in these authorities to follow up this issue," states the report.

It also concluded there was "improper use of force by the public security forces, such as using shotguns, tear gas inside houses and closed places, and stun grenades, in addition to allegations of assault by beating during the arrest of the suspects".

Furthermore, it stated that the Public Prosecution Special Investigation Unit "does not have the aspired independence and impartiality to ensure effective investigations".

It revealed the Public Prosecution investigated 21 complaints, including nine deaths, which were referred to the courts last year - with 37 security personnel, including six officers ranging from lieutenant to major, facing prosecution.

"However, the NIHR did not obtain confirmed information about the nature of the judgments awarded in these cases, whether acquittal or conviction judgments, and the terms for which the convicts were sentenced, since the institution did not receive a response to its communications from the unit in this regard," said the report.

Meanwhile, it claimed sentences handed down to members of the security forces convicted of wrongdoing were often more lenient than those handed down to civilians found guilty of charges relating to violent crime.

"The punishment in these cases (against security personnel) is usually diluted, which is not commensurate with the offence committed, or acquittal may be awarded," the report said.

Last year, the NIHR received eight allegations of mistreatment during arrests, seven allegations of mistreatment in police stations, 10 complaints of mistreatment in custody centres and five complaints each from reform and rehabilitation centres.

However, it said there was no response from authorities in 17 of the cases.

There were also 21 complaints related to police raids on homes, such as destruction of private property and failing to present a warrant.

"In general, most of the complaints are related to housing, civil and social rights, torture and mistreatment that has been listed in the report," said Dr Al Deerazi.

"The report was submitted to His Majesty King Hamad and we are receiving a positive response from foreign organisations and diplomatic missions."

Meanwhile, Dr Al Deerazi revealed some allegations directed at Bahraini authorities were untrue - with some videos and pictures posted online found not to be authentic.

"There were many things said on social media that were inaccurate... For example there was a tweet on Sunday that said NIHR had removed some pages in its report that were critical to the government, which is sick," he said. - TradeArabia News Service