His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Decree-Law 30 for 2011, establishing the National Victims’ Compensation Fund (NVCF).
The independent fund, to be run by the Human Rights and Social Development Ministry, will provide compensation for the victims of recent violent incidents, in line with the basic Principles and guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law adopted and proclaimed by UN General Assembly resolution 60/147 of 16 December 2005.
Beneficiaries include civil persons, security officers, public officials harmed physically or morally by security forces or public officials.
Persons injured while providing support for the victims, as well as the closest relatives of the latter will also be covered by the fund.
Compensations will not be paid unless a specialized court issues a final verdict regarding the concerned case.
The NVCF will have its own budget and its resources consist mainly of funds from the state budget, grants, donations and investment returns.
The Fund’s by-law, Board and maximum amounts of compensations will be determined by another Decree.