The Global Conference on Justice for Children Deprived of Liberty
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) remains committed to its mission of advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals in Bahrain, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, including children. In line with its mandate, BCHR actively participated in the International Conference on the Defense of Children’s Rights held in Geneva. The conference, which saw diverse international participation, addressed critical issues concerning children’s rights, including the right to liberty, the right to education, and the need to end the targeting of children. BCHR’s contribution centered on exposing the plight of children in Bahrain and amplifying calls for reform.
The Participation of BCHR’s role, key messages, and the issues raised during the conference. It also highlights BCHR’s advocacy for the protection of children in Bahrain and the broader implications for international human rights standards.
BCHR’s Participation
As a leading human rights organization in Bahrain, BCHR was actively engaged in the conference to ensure that the experiences of Bahraini children were represented on the international stage. Through its advocacy, BCHR sought to highlight the systematic violations of children’s rights in Bahrain, particularly focusing on the arrest, detention, and mistreatment of minors. By presenting evidence-based reports and testimonies, BCHR aimed to draw the attention of the international community to the urgent need for accountability and justice.
BCHR representatives met with international stakeholders, including United Nations officials, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders from other regions. These meetings provided an opportunity for BCHR to build alliances and strengthen calls for Bahrain to fulfill its obligations under international conventions, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Bahrain is a party.
Key Topics Addressed
- Children’s Right to Liberty
One of the central issues highlighted by BCHR at the conference was the violation of children’s right to liberty in Bahrain. BCHR shared case studies of minors who were subjected to arbitrary detention, often without formal charges. The organization shed light on the Bahraini authorities’ use of force during arrests and raids on homes, which traumatized children and violated international norms on child protection.
BCHR emphasized that children in Bahrain are frequently treated as criminals instead of being afforded the protections guaranteed to juveniles under international law. BCHR called on Bahraini authorities to adhere to the principles outlined in the UNCRC, particularly Article 37, which states that children should not be subjected to torture, cruel treatment, or unlawful detention. The case of Ali Hasan, an 11-year-old Bahraini boy who was detained in 2012, was presented as an example of this ongoing issue.
- Educational Rights of Children
Education is a fundamental right for every child, as enshrined in Article 28 of the UNCRC. BCHR raised serious concerns regarding the denial of this right to children in Bahrain, particularly to those who have been detained. In its contribution, BCHR provided evidence of how detained children are denied access to formal education, textbooks, and learning resources. Children in detention are unable to continue their studies, disrupting their development and future opportunities.
BCHR pointed to reports from Jau Prison, where young detainees were denied their right to education. The organization argued that the denial of education violates not only international human rights standards but also Bahrain’s own commitments under domestic law. BCHR called for the immediate reintegration of education programs for detained children, the provision of learning materials, and the facilitation of remote learning options where in-person education is not possible.
- Ending the Targeting of Children
BCHR’s also focused on the Bahraini government’s practice of targeting children for their perceived association with protests or political dissent. Children are often detained and interrogated under harsh conditions, with some reports indicating the use of physical and psychological coercion to extract confessions. BCHR provided concrete examples of children as young as 11 being subjected to violence, intimidation, and surveillance.
This practice violates Article 16 of the UNCRC, which guarantees children the right to privacy, as well as Article 19, which protects children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation. BCHR denounced the Bahraini authorities’ use of repressive tactics against children, which not only violate the children’s rights but also have long-term psychological impacts on their well-being.
BCHR called on the international community to pressure Bahrain to implement effective measures to prevent the targeting of children. The organization also stressed the need for independent investigations into cases of abuse against children, the establishment of a complaint’s mechanism for families of affected children, and the provision of rehabilitation and mental health support for child survivors of abuse.
International Support and Recommendations
BCHR’s participation in the Geneva conference was met with support from international human rights organizations, United Nations representatives, and advocacy networks. BCHR collaborated with several international partners, including the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights (RAFTO), These partnerships strengthened BCHR’s calls for Bahrain to fulfill its obligations to protect children’s rights and to adopt child-centered justice reforms.
BCHR recommended the following key actions:
- End arbitrary detention of children: Bahrain must immediately release children held without charge or trial.
- Reform juvenile justice: Bahrain must reform its juvenile justice system to align with international standards, ensuring children are treated as victims of systemic failures, not criminals.
- Ensure access to education: Education programs for children in detention must be restored, and authorities must guarantee every child’s right to education, regardless of their detention status.
- Independent investigations and accountability: Allegations of abuse, mistreatment, and torture of children in detention must be subject to independent investigations. Perpetrators should be held accountable, and victims must receive redress and rehabilitation.
BCHR’s Advocacy Beyond Geneva
BCHR’s work on children’s rights extends beyond its participation in the Geneva conference. The organization continues to document human rights violations in Bahrain and shares this information with United Nations bodies, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child. BCHR’s advocacy aims to influence the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, where Bahrain’s human rights record is scrutinized by the international community.
In its broader advocacy, BCHR collaborates with other human rights groups such as the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights (RAFTO), and international coalitions like IFEX and FIDH. These partnerships strengthen BCHR’s capacity to call for accountability and to support Bahraini families affected by the abuse of children’s rights. BCHR also engages in direct communication with United Nations special rapporteurs, particularly those focusing on human rights defenders, arbitrary detention, and the rights of children.
BCHR concludes with a call to action for the international community, civil society, and governments to:
- Raise awareness: Bring global attention to the violations of children’s rights in Bahrain, ensuring that these issues are raised in international human rights forums.
- Apply diplomatic pressure: Pressure Bahraini authorities to end the targeting, arrest, and abuse of children, and to bring the juvenile justice system in line with the UNCRC.
- Provide technical assistance: Encourage international bodies, including the United Nations, to provide technical support to Bahrain for juvenile justice reform and the protection of children’s rights.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights remains steadfast in its commitment to defend the rights of children in Bahrain. Through its participation in the Geneva conference, BCHR has shed light on the critical issues affecting Bahraini children, including the denial of liberty, the right to education, and protection from abuse. BCHR continues to advocate for reforms that prioritize children’s well-being and ensure that Bahrain upholds its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Nedal Al Salman, Director of BCHR and Vice President of FIDH, emphasized the urgency of this cause, stating:
“The children of Bahrain are the future, and a country without a future is a country in danger. If we fail to protect our children, we risk losing not only them but the future of the entire nation.”
BCHR calls on the Bahraini government to implement these reforms without delay. Through continued advocacy, international solidarity, and persistent pressure, BCHR aims to create a safer and more just environment for children in Bahrain, ensuring that every child’s right to liberty, education, and protection is fully respected and upheld.