Bahrain’s Detention and Abuse of Children to Suppress Dissent Violates International Law: Report

A new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) has accused Bahrain of systematically detaining and abusing children to suppress political dissent. The report, published on March 10, 2025, outlines grave human rights violations, calling on international bodies to hold Bahrain accountable for its treatment of minors.

Background: Bahrain’s Crackdown on Dissent

Bahrain has faced ongoing criticism for its suppression of political opposition and civil liberties. Since the 2011 pro-democracy protests, authorities have frequently used mass arrests, travel bans, and surveillance tactics against activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

Over the years, reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and torture, have surfaced, particularly targeting Shia dissidents. While Bahrain has defended its actions as necessary for national security, human rights organizations argue that the government is systematically violating fundamental freedoms, especially those of children involved in protests.

Findings of the HRW-ADHRB Report

1. Arbitrary Arrests and Forced Confessions

The report documents multiple cases of children being detained without due process. Security forces have reportedly arrested minors, some as young as 11 years old, for participating in anti-government demonstrations. Many were held without warrants and subjected to prolonged interrogations without legal representation.

Testimonies from former detainees and their families reveal that children were coerced into signing confessions under threats of physical abuse or reprisals against their families.

2. Physical and Psychological Abuse in Detention

HRW and ADHRB allege that Bahraini authorities have subjected detained children to severe mistreatment, including:

• Beatings and physical assault during interrogations.

• Solitary confinement for extended periods.

• Psychological intimidation, including threats of sexual violence.

Such practices violate Article 37 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Bahrain ratified in 1992. This article explicitly prohibits torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention of children.

3. Detention Conditions and Denial of Legal Rights

The report highlights overcrowded and unsanitary detention facilities where children are often held alongside adult prisoners, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. Families of detainees report that their children were denied adequate food, medical care, and education while in custody.

Under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), all individuals—particularly minors—are entitled to fair legal treatment. Bahrain’s actions directly contradict these protections.

Royal Pardon of 2024: A Superficial Reform?

In 2024, Bahrain issued a royal pardon that led to the release of 1,500 prisoners, including 40 minors. While the move was initially praised as a step toward reform, the HRW-ADHRB report suggests that child detentions have since escalated rather than decreased.

The report accuses Bahraini authorities of using symbolic gestures like mass pardons to improve their international image while continuing systemic oppression behind the scenes.

International Legal Implications and Calls for Action

1. Violation of International Law

Bahrain’s actions violate several international legal frameworks, including:

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – Prohibits child torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials.

• The Convention Against Torture (CAT) – Bahrain is a signatory, yet reports indicate state-sanctioned torture persists.

• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Protects freedom of speech and assembly, which are heavily restricted in Bahrain.

HRW and ADHRB are urging UN human rights bodies, the European Union, and the United States to pressure Bahrain into ending these abuses and ensuring accountability for human rights violations.

2. Growing International Condemnation

Global human rights organizations and some Western governments have raised concerns over Bahrain’s authoritarian tactics, but international responses have largely been limited to diplomatic warnings.

Despite mounting evidence of abuses, Bahrain remains a key ally of Western nations, particularly the United States, which maintains a naval base in the country. This geopolitical relationship complicates efforts to impose sanctions or other penalties on the Bahraini government.

What’s Next: Calls for Justice and Accountability

Human rights activists are pushing for:

• Independent investigations into Bahrain’s treatment of detained children.

• Sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations.

• Stronger international oversight to prevent further abuses.

As the international community weighs its response, Bahraini families continue to seek justice for children wrongfully detained and mistreated. The HRW-ADHRB report serves as a stark reminder that, despite diplomatic progress, Bahrain's human rights record remains deeply concerning.

The world will be watching to see whether Bahrain takes meaningful steps to protect its youngest and most vulnerable citizens—or continues down a path of repression and impunity.

 

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