Geneva Institute for Human Rights

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is dispatching a delegation to the Bahrain this week, from 13 to 16 December, to discuss support of national efforts towards the establishment of an open and democratic society in Bahrain. The visit was requested by the Bahraini government.

The four-member delegation will be led by Mr. Bacre Ndiaye, the Director of the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures Division at the UN Human Rights office, and Mr. Frej Fenniche, the Chief of the Middle East and North Africa Section.

In a statement released by an OHCHR spokesperson, delegation members said they "look forward to engaging with the Government, civil society, members of the political opposition and victims of human rights violations in the country." Upon its return, the mission will submit concrete recommendations to the High Commissioner.