Manama: The Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) held a press conference following the conclusion of the Executive Committee meetings and the 25th General Assembly, with the participation of heads and representatives of member institutions and the Network’s General Secretariat.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, Chairman of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) and Chairman of ANNHRI, Sultan Al Jamali, Secretary General of ANNHRI, and Ghaffar Ali, Legal Adviser, reviewed the main outcomes of the meetings, updates to the Network’s 2025-2026 action plan, and mechanisms to support national institutions and enhance regional and international cooperation.
The conference highlighted the Kingdom of Bahrain’s role in leading Arab human rights action, particularly its initiatives to promote digital preventive awareness and protect children’s rights online. Al Derazi stated that Bahrain continues to strengthen its regional and international standing in human rights, noting that hosting the annual international conference of national human rights institutions reflects international confidence in Bahrain’s role.
He added that, through its presidency of ANNHRI, the Kingdom’s NIHR will work to develop the Network’s mechanisms, advance its international presence, and support Arab national institutions in obtaining international accreditation. He emphasized that protecting children in the digital space requires rapid and innovative responses, alongside awareness programs involving schools, families, and children themselves.
Al Derazi underscored that legislation and laws, despite their importance, cannot on their own keep pace with the rapid development of the digital space, emphasizing that building a preventive culture among children, families, and society is the foundation for addressing digital risks. He underlined that the family remains the first line of defense in protecting children and that its role in education, monitoring, and guidance is indispensable. Empowering families to understand digital risks, he said, is a core part of the protection system.
On his part, Al Jamali stated that rapid digital transformation has made digital regulation central to daily life, underscoring the need to invest in digital communities, especially those targeting children, to ensure a safe and productive digital future. He thanked the organizers for their efforts in ensuring the success of the event and supporting Arab cooperation.