The Ombudsman’s Office, in collaboration with the British Embassy and the Institute of Judicial and Legal Studies, held a workshop titled “Investigating Children’s Complaints” on December 2–3.
The workshop, led by international experts, focused on best practices for handling children’s complaints and developing effective interview techniques. Participants included representatives from key entities such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Public Prosecution, and National Institution for Human Rights.
The event marked the launch of a new division within the Ombudsman dedicated to handling complaints from children aged 15–18 in detention or custodial facilities. This initiative aligns with Bahrain’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) commitments and aims to enhance protections for children through improved complaint mechanisms.
Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman, highlighted the office’s commitment to advancing complaint-handling systems and aligning with international standards. She noted that this initiative supports Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision for strengthening human rights.
Youssef Abdulkarim Bucheeri, Director-General of Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the initiative as a significant step in promoting justice and child protection.
Alastair Long, British Ambassador to Bahrain, also commended Bahrain’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and addressing their grievances through specialised mechanisms.
This new division, supported by training programmes and updated guidelines, reflects Bahrain’s dedication to creating robust child protection frameworks that uphold international human rights standards.
BNA(R)
