On 9 March 2026, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the Annual Discussion on the Rights of the Child at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The organization highlighted ongoing human rights violations against children in Bahrain, including arbitrary detention, torture, unfair trials, denial of education, and reprisals. ADHRB called on the Council to urge Bahraini authorities to protect children from abuse, guarantee access to legal counsel and medical care, and ensure their fundamental rights are respected.
We draw the Council’s attention to Bahrain’s ongoing violations of human rights, particularly against minors, including their arbitrary detention and subjection to torture, unfair trials, denial of education, reprisals, and other human rights violations.
One example is 15-year-old Hasan Ali Matar, warrantlessly arrested on 13 November 2025. He was subjected to enforced disappearance, torture, coerced confessions, and medical neglect, and was sentenced to two years in prison following an unfair trial. Reprisals against him persisted after sentencing, as officers repeatedly beat and pepper-sprayed him whenever he complained of severe chest pain.
Another example is that of 17-year-old Ahmed Abdulla Abbas, also warrantlessly arrested on 13 November 2025. He was beaten, forced to sign a blank paper, sentenced to two years in prison after an unfair trial, and denied his right to education in detention.
We urge Bahrain to end the arbitrary arrest of minors for expressing their opinions, protect them from torture and ill-treatment, and guarantee prompt access to legal counsel, necessary medical care, and their right to education.
