MEMBERS of Bahrain’s rights watchdog continued to visit quarantine centres and isolation facilities where the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) patients are being treated to ensure their human rights are being respected, the GDN reported today.
According to National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) chairwoman Maria Khoury four field visits have been conducted so far with no violations being reported.
She said it was within the institution’s mandate to conduct scheduled or surprise visits to places where there could be a violation of human rights – detention centres, hospitals, care centres, shelters and safe houses.
“It is a very critical and important time when all efforts should be concentrated to combating Covid-19,” she told the GDN.
“We have conducted four field visits and have made about 50 calls – both video and telephone – to people in quarantine or those receiving medical treatment as we couldn’t visit them.”
Efforts are also underway to ensure the radio station, 104.2 FM, is fully used to raise the awareness of preventive and precautionary measures among the expatriate community in Bahrain.
She said the role of the radio station was important as it was the only one broadcasting information in languages other than Arabic and English.
“We also want to use the radio station to make people aware of the importance of NIHR and how they can approach us to help them with any human rights related issues that they may have.”
Ms Khoury said any case of human rights violation could be reported on the NIHR hotline (80001144).
