Bahrain’s Commitment to Children’s Rights: A Comprehensive Review
Bahrain has made significant strides in protecting children’s rights, focusing on the National Childhood Strategy (2023-2027), highlighted the country’s social development minister in Geneva.
Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor, who led Bahrain’s delegation at the Palais des Nations, also cited the country’s effective integrated system of policies, laws, and programs, including the Law on Restorative Justice for Children and Their Protection from Maltreatment.
The minister was talking at the session, which reviewed Bahrain’s initial reports on the two optional protocols added to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These protocols address the involvement of children in armed conflicts, the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.
In his speech, the minister emphasised Bahrain’s dedication to advancing children’s rights under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
“This commitment has significantly improved childhood conditions across legal, social, educational, and cultural domains,” he noted.
Key achievements include the establishment of the Social Welfare Complex and allocating an independent prosecution to look into cases of children who committed and are victims of crime. The Public Prosecution launched in 2021 the social welfare initiative to investigate the reasons behind the crimes to address and remove them. The Public Prosecution also issued a mechanism to question a child once regarding assault to preserve their mental health.
Mr Al Asfoor also highlighted the launch of a national campaign in cooperation with several government entities to educate children and their parents about the dangers of cyberspace. A child protection unit in cyberspace was established, and a special office was initiated to receive children in the building of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, with the aim of providing them with protection.
He highlighted the establishment of the Child Rights Commissioner within the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), which also serves as an observer to the National Commission for Childhood. This role focuses on understanding the challenges faced by children and safeguarding their best interests. This also includes establishing the Family and Child Protection Office to ensure an independent legal process for cases involving families and children, providing immediate protection, and maintaining confidentiality by offering a secure environment within police stations.
The minister underscored Bahrain’s efforts in advancing children’s rights through the enactment of various legislation aimed at their protection. He highlighted Decree Law No. 44 of 2018 on International Crimes, which addresses the involvement of children in armed conflicts, classifying it as a war crime.
The members of the UN Committee, led by Ann Skelton, commended Bahrain’s achievements in advancing children’s rights. They highlighted the Kingdom’s effective cooperation with the UN, noting its timely submission of required reports, clear responses to the committee’s inquiries, and the establishment of a constructive dialogue in this regard.