Kingdom of Bahrain Portal for Sustainable Development Goals

Indicators

Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitations, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
- Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars)
- Indicator 16.4.2: Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced or established by a competent authority in line with international instruments
Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
- Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months
- Indicator 16.5.2: Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
- Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar) (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision- making at all levels
- Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 16.7.2: Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, by sex, age, disability and population group
Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
- Indicator 16.8.1: Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
- Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
- Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months
- ndicator 16.10.2: Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information
Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
- Indicator 16.a.1: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non- discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
- Indicator 16.b.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

Policies & initiatives support the goal

Bahrain’s political system is built on a solid democratic base; its constitution enshrines many articles that align with the core principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). These include the democratic system of government (Article 1), which rests on a separation of the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities.

The Council of Representatives

The Council of Representatives, a key part of the Legislative Authority, plays a pivotal role in the legislative process. The elected Council contributes to ongoing constitutional and political reform in Bahrain, enforcing the separation of powers.

The Judicial System

The Kingdom continues to enhance the judicial system to ensure justice and efficiency. It has implemented alternative penalties for convicts, including the launch of the open prisons program in 2023 which serve as a rehabilitation approach that promotes the reintegration of prisoners into society. The sector underwent a full digital overhaul of civil and Sharia litigation services in 2020, and court administration has been transferred to an all-inclusive digital platform, providing streamlined processes across all litigation stages.

Anti-Corruption Efforts

The Kingdom has made significant strides in its efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency. Bahrain involves all members of society in the fight against corruption by holding regular national campaigns and via the national anti-corruption hotline, ‘Nazaha 992’, which was launched on International Anti-Corruption Day in 2009. The Kingdom has enacted laws such as the Anti- Corruption Law and the Money Laundering Law, which provide a strong legal foundation for combating corruption and money laundering activities. Additionally, Bahrain has signed international conventions, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption, demonstrating its commitment to international cooperation in the fight against corruption.