http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/09/16/HRW-Bahrain-detains-abuses-children/UPI-21611379344202/

[16 September 2013] -

Human Rights Watch said there was evidence to suggest children in Bahrain were jailed and abused by security forces.

The rights organization said it was able to document a number of cases where teenage boys were detained by security forces for allegedly attacking police officers or for taking part in anti-government protests. It said others were detained "without cause."

"The Bahraini authorities need to look into these allegations and immediately call a halt to any arbitrary arrests and mistreatment of children," Joe Stork, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement Sunday from Beirut.

The British government has issued series of routine travel advisories warning weekly protests in Bahrain could turn violent.

Dozens of people were killed during 2011 demonstrations. Bahrain says it's committed to recommendations outlined by a panel probing the government's response to the unrest. Reformers say protests are ongoing.

The European Parliament passed a resolution last week calling on authorities in Bahrain to address the human rights situation. It also calls on the government to treat juvenile detainees according to international norms.

The official Bahrain News Agency reported Sunday three defendants were sentenced to 10 years in prison for the premeditated murder of members of the security force. It didn't indicate the age of the defendants.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Visit CRIN's page on Bahrain
• Read about CRIN's campaign to end inhuman sentencing of children

Previous News release items

• 16/09/2013: ESPAÑA: La "insuficiente" educación sexual de unos adolescentes cada vez más precoces
• 16/09/2013: SYRIA: Government should release children from detention, says Commission of Inquiry.
• 16/09/2013: Effects of child abuse can last a lifetime: Watch the ‘still face’ experiment to see why
• 14/09/2013: YEMEN: Piden ley que fije edad mínima para el matrimonio
• 14/09/2013: CHINA: 180 niños contaminados con leche

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Last updated 17/09/2013 15:08:26

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.

Your Feedback

Ali wrote on 09/12/2013:
Hi, thanks for mentioning news about rights abuses of children in detention in Bahrain. I am Bahraini and my son is one of the children below 18 years old who is in prison for political issues. More than 200 children in custody in Bahrain are losing their right to education. We need the human rights defender to do more, speak more about this. Most of the children in prison are there due to gathering in peaceful protest asking for respect for their rights. More than 15 children have been killed by the police force, hit by tear gas or by gunfire.