Shura Member participates in IPU child rights workshop

Geneva, Dr. Bassam Ismail Albinmohammed, Member of Shura Council, participated in a workshop on intensifying efforts to combat child labour and forced labour, held as part of the 149th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland. Dr. Albinmohammed emphasised Bahrain's significant progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in advancing children's rights, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment through its accession to various international treaties, including those related to the involvement of children in armed conflicts, child trafficking, and child pornography. He pointed to Bahrain's legislative efforts, notably the Child Law (37) of 2012, which serves as a primary reference for child protection legislation. Bahrain's involvement in international protocols and treaties, aimed at combating the worst forms of child labour, reflects the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to safeguarding children's rights and improving their well-being. During the worksh op, Dr. Albinmohammed stressed the need for parliaments to play a more active role in monitoring the implementation of policies and enacting further legislation to combat child labour and forced labour. He called for regular reviews to assess the effectiveness of these policies and to address challenges through accountability mechanisms that enhance transparency and achieve tangible results. He also underscored the crucial role parliaments play in allocating resources, raising awareness, and building effective partnerships to eliminate child labour. Dr. Albinmohammed urged parliaments to ensure proper funding for initiatives, including community awareness campaigns that highlight the consequences of child labour and promote educational alternatives, as awareness is a key factor in changing societal attitudes towards the issue. Source: Bahrain News Agency