In the presence of the Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Council.. The National Institution for Human Rights inaugurates the position of Commissioner for Child Rights

11-07-2023

Manama, July 11 (BNA): In the presence of His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Deputy President of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation, the National Institution for Human Rights organized the inauguration ceremony of the position of "Child Rights Commissioner", which deals with issues facing children, works to protect and promote the best interests of the child, and supports the child's environmental policy. At the outset of the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by the Attorney General, a number of ministers, officials, and ambassadors, Eng. Ali Ahmed Al-Derazi, President of the National Institution for Human Rights, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the participants, appreciating their permanent cooperation with the institution to achieve common goals in supporting and consolidating all rights for all segments of society. , especially with regard to spreading awareness of the principles of human rights and basic freedoms, including the rights of children, which are among the priorities of the Foundation's work. Al-Derazi said: "The Kingdom of Bahrain is witnessing remarkable progress in the field of human rights in general and the rights of children in particular, thanks to the vision and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, and the diligent follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, and the great role played by all ministries, official agencies and civil society institutions to achieve the highest levels of protection for children, as they are among the first groups of care in society." Al-Derazi explained that international human rights law emphasized children's enjoyment of their rights, fundamental freedoms, dignity and equality, which was confirmed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Kingdom of Bahrain is a party, explaining that from this standpoint, and in support of work to promote and protect children's rights and unify efforts for this, the position of "Child's Rights Commissioner" was established in the institution, whose primary task will be to take care of issues facing children, work to protect and promote the best interests of the child, and support policies and legislation concerned with protecting children's rights. Al-Derazi concluded his speech by extending his thanks and appreciation to all the participating parties for their constant cooperation in achieving common goals that serve the nation and all citizens and residents, looking forward to strengthening this cooperation to transform all challenges and obstacles into opportunities to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Mr. Roddy Darmond, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Bahrain, also delivered a speech in which he expressed his thanks and appreciation to the National Institution for Human Rights for organizing this event and officially inaugurating the position of Commissioner for Child Rights in the presence of the concerned and relevant authorities, to introduce the role assigned to him in protecting and promoting the best interests of the child, and supporting policies and legislation concerned with the protection of children's rights. The British ambassador affirmed the strength of the historical friendship and cooperation relations between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the remarkable progress and growth they are characterized at all levels in a way that achieves common interests and benefits the two friendly countries and peoples. During the event, Dr. Houria Abbas, a member of the Board of Commissioners and Commissioner for Child Rights at the National Institution, gave a visual presentation on the role played by the Commissioner for Child Rights in dealing with issues facing children and how to work to protect and promote his best interests by supporting policies and legislation concerned with the protection of children's rights, within the framework of the terms of reference and powers granted to the National Institution for Human Rights. During the presentation, Dr. Houria touched on children's rights in international and regional conventions and conventions, national laws and legislation, and the role of the National Institution for Human Rights in the field of promoting and protecting children's rights, as well as the terms of reference of the Commissioner for Child Rights in the institution in detail. The event also included a review of the experience of the Commissioner for Children in Northern Ireland, presented by Ms. Koala Yasoma, the former Commissioner for Children and Youth in Northern Ireland, during which she discussed the exchange of ideas and visions on best practices aimed at developing a mechanism to defend children's rights and how to contribute to the success of the role of the Commissioner for Child Rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain.