A/HRC/36/3 decree No. 42 of 2002 and its amendment of 2015 affirmed the rule of law, the independence and integrity of the judiciary and the provision of fair trial safeguards, including the right of defence. Law No. 17 of 2015 on protection against domestic violence had been adopted, and Law No. 26 of 2014 on the establishment of the national institution for human rights had been amended by legislative decree No. 20 of 2016. Law No. 26 and its amendments affirmed the independence of the national institution and its alignment with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). Royal decree No. 70 of 2014, amending some provisions of legislative decree No. 5 of 2002, had been promulgated, approving accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and reformulating the kingdom’s reservations to the Convention. 10. Regarding national protective mechanisms for human rights, Bahrain had adopted constitutional amendments in 2012 that affirmed the competence of the elected Council of Representatives and amended the regulations on the appointment of members of the Shura Council. Bahrain had strengthened capacity-building for the executive branch, the judiciary and civil society, and the role of the Supreme Council for Women, which undertook numerous activities in accordance with well-considered plans, including the national plan for the advancement of Bahraini women (2013-2022), which promoted the empowerment of women economically and politically. In cooperation with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), the Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim al-Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment had been established. Also established were the Office of the Ombudsman, which could deal with complaints, the Special Investigations Unit and the commission on the rights of prisoners and detainees. 11. The freedoms of expression, assembly, association and demonstration were safeguarded by national legislation. The exercise of those rights necessitated that the rights be regulated by the rule of law and respect for human rights; such rights could not be an excuse to use violence, to assault individuals, to attack private or public property or to ignite sectarianism or hatred. 12. A prize had been sponsored under the name of King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa and administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The award contributed to the realization of UNESCO objectives and policies and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as to the implementation of educational, pedagogical, religious and media programmes to promote the values of moderation and tolerance and to combat any speech that incited violence, terrorism, religious hatred, sectarianism and racism. In addition to its achievements in educational services, Bahrain was advanced with respect to the medical care it provided for citizens and for residents, and had achieved the best health statistics at both regional and international levels. 13. Bahrain had designed a number of national plans and strategies that guaranteed and assisted in the promotion of human rights at the national level, for example the government programme of action for the period 2015-2018, entitled: “Towards the justice, security and well-being of society”, which was aimed at continuing development and construction and focusing on sustainable development in the kingdom while emphasizing the promotion of individual rights, including to freedom of opinion and of expression, and respect for human rights in a framework of constitutional and legal legitimacy. 14. The allegations of human rights violations claimed by a few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) revealed a huge lack of credibility and a great politicization of human rights. The head of the delegation refuted those allegations; Bahrain represented a model for the protection of freedom of thought, opinion, religion and belief. Freedom to practise religious rituals without any interference was guaranteed. The pluralism of trade unions in every enterprise placed Bahrain among advanced countries in terms of freedom of association. 15. Bahrain was aware that the process of encouraging respect for and protection of human rights was a continuing process that was not free of challenges and difficulties. The kingdom was determined to proceed in its efforts at all levels to promote and protect human rights despite all challenges, which included external interference in the affairs of the State, heightened risks of extremist sectarianism, intolerance, terrorism and infringement of the 3