MLSD Minister Praises the King of Bahrain in Issuing the "Justice Law for Childhood"
17-02-2021
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the National Commission for Childhood, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, praised the approval of Law No. 4 of 2021 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, promulgating the Restorative Justice Law for Children and their Protection from Maltreatment. This legislation reflects His Majesty’s commitment to advancing childhood conditions at legal, social, educational and cultural levels by prioritising the child’s best interests in all rulings, decisions and procedures, regardless of the issuing body. Humaidan emphasised that the law bolsters Bahrain’s regional and international standing in human‑rights protection and activates the international agreements on children’s rights ratified by the Kingdom. He noted that this national legislation supports governmental, private and civil institutions, affirming children’s right to live in peace. The Minister explained that the Ministry implemented Article 43 of the Child Law by establishing the Child Protection Centre in 2007. The Centre’s organisational structure includes branch offices of the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Public Prosecution, enabling effective child‑protection work. Serving as the central body for evaluating and following up on cases of abuse, neglect and assault, the Centre also launched the helpline 998 in 2011 for guidance, active listening and referral. Ministerial Resolution No. 1 of 2015 formed the Centre’s Board of Directors under the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, with membership from the Ministries of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf; Health; Interior; Education; Information Affairs; the Supreme Council for Women; the Bahraini Society for Child Development; and the Child’s Wish Society. The Board develops and oversees programmes that protect children from maltreatment, coordinates with official and civil bodies, and conducts research on child abuse phenomena while addressing individual cases in cooperation with relevant agencies. The Kingdom of Bahrain is a pioneer in codifying children’s rights through numerous decree‑laws, and it remains keen to join international agreements dedicated to protecting and preserving those rights—most notably the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Bahrain ratified in 1992. The Kingdom has also concluded cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with relevant international organisations and their affiliated committees concerned with child welfare.