Manama: The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), in collaboration with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), hosted the annual conference focusing on "Protecting Children in the Digital Space." This event took place alongside the 25th General Assembly of ANNHRI, attended by ministers, senior officials, and representatives from national institutions, international organizations, and civil society groups.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the NIHR took over the presidency of the ANNHRI General Assembly from Jordan's National Centre for Human Rights during the conference's opening session. Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, Chairman of NIHR, emphasized the necessity of strengthening collaborative Arab efforts to safeguard children's rights in the face of increasing digital challenges. He highlighted the importance of modernized legislation, effective preventive measures, and contemporary protection mechanisms. Al Derazi also outlined Bahrain's initiatives in this field and expressed optimism that the conference's outcomes would bolster digital governance and reinforce the role of Arab national institutions.
Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the National Committee for Childhood, noted that the conference served as a crucial platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange on child protection. He reiterated Bahrain's commitment to prioritizing child protection through various legislative measures, policies, and initiatives, such as the National Childhood Strategy (2023-2027). Al Alawi also emphasized the significance of partnerships among government entities, national institutions, and civil society.
The conference addressed several online risks affecting children, such as exposure to harmful content and digital exploitation. It also covered international child protection standards, preventive and awareness strategies, and the use of technology to improve protection measures.
The event concluded with recommendations for stronger national laws to criminalize digital offenses against children, enhanced data protection and privacy measures, the development of preventive national policies, integration of digital safety into educational curricula, capacity-building efforts, and expanded regional and international collaboration to ensure a secure digital environment for children.