Bahrain has made great strides in integrating human rights and citizenship in the education curricula, according to a top minister.
This has helped build national identity and promote valuable principles among thousands of students, said Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma.
He added that Bahrain had not only signed international child conventions and related commitments, but had enhanced its teaching methodology to ensure ‘students can express their opinions responsibly in a creative and positive atmosphere’.
“Human rights in the Education Ministry is all about education itself, so we have to make sure that we provide the best to our students at the same time tap the awareness of parents and teachers on how to deal with this important segment of our society,” the minister told the GDN.
“As you know, the ministry is in charge as a regulator of a very wide range of institutions, such as schools and early childhood education centres, so it’s our responsibility to liaise with human rights establishments to make sure to equip the students with the knowledge they need to take care of themselves.”
Dr Juma was speaking on the sidelines of the first annual forum for the Children of Bahrain, organised by the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) at the Gulf Convention Centre yesterday.
Dr Juma speaking at the opening of the forum
Held under the theme, ‘You have a right … You have a voice’, the forum was attended by MPs, Shura Council members and senior officials.
In his opening remarks at the event, the minister highlighted the ongoing co-operation with the NIHR to further promote the culture of human rights in society.
“The Education Ministry has incorporated human rights principles into the curriculum at different stages of learning to promote human rights and citizenship values.
“This is a key step to build national identity, develop our teaching methodologies starting from primary education, and adopt best practices.”
Bahrain’s 2022-2026 National Human Rights Plan covers the above aspect, to develop educational curricula incorporating human rights standards and launch a Master’s degree in international human rights law and international humanitarian law within the Faculty of Law at the Bahrain University.
The right to education is guaranteed by the Constitution in Article 7 and the Education Law issued in 2005.
“The NIHR announced (June 2023) the first Child Rights Commissioner (Dr Hooreya Yusuf) in Bahrain that marked a significant step for protection and dealing with all issues concerning children,” said NIHR chairman Ali Alderazi.
“There has been a complaints system developed as we work in partnership with the Interior Ministry, Public Prosecution and the Social Development Ministry.
“We launch today the official work plan and strategy of the Child Rights Commissioner at this event and continue to invest in child rights for a better future.”
For her part, Dr Yusuf told the GDN her office had received more than 100 complaints, including from expat children, and efforts are underway to resolve these.
“There is growing public confidence now in the society as people are much more aware of the role and the issues that can be dealt with by the Child Rights Commissioner,” she added.
“One of the highlights of the event is the launch of the Friends of the Child Rights Commissioner initiative that includes more than 30 students from different schools who will be our ambassadors.”
The commissioner investigates any matter related to children’s rights, including the adequacy of complaints and support services for children, follow up with assessments of the impact of children’s rights on new policies and legislation, and conducting research and studies related to children’s rights.
Also attending and speaking at the event was British Ambassador Alastair Long who praised Bahrain’s efforts to embed child rights in the NIHR, amending laws and having a dedicated Child Rights Commissioner.
“A key principle is creating that space and a platform for children to express themselves, articulate their needs and be heard,” he said, praising Northern Ireland Co-operation and Overseas (ceased operations last March) Justice adviser Paula Jack for working closely with Bahrain’s authorities on the issue.
Attendees at the event
Ms Jack was recognised last year with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in King Charles’ New Year Honours Overseas and International List.
She was honoured for her services to ‘Child Justice Reform, to Human Rights and to International Relations in Bahrain’.
Her remit included training Bahraini judges, prosecutors and social experts focusing on children’s rights and protection, as well as engaging ministers and officials in the reform process.
She also supported the establishment of the Child Rights Commissioner in Bahrain, the first specialised role in the region.
In 2021, His Majesty King Hamad ratified Law 4/2021 on the promulgation of the Corrective Justice Law for Children and their Protection from Ill-Treatment.
The law guarantees children restorative justice, care and protection from ill-treatment.
It aims to give top priority to a child’s interests in all rulings, decisions and procedures related to them, regardless of the authority that issues or executes them.
The law also specifies penalties to be imposed on those who incite or coerce children to commit crimes, prepare them for that, or assist them in committing them.
Child Corrective Justice Courts were then set up to examine criminal cases related to crimes committed by children aged over 15 at the time of the crime.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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