A report published on March 10 by Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) has revealed that dozens of children have been arrested on dubious charges related to free expression, peaceful assembly, or political dissent.

The report confirms that 38 minors are currently detained at the Dry Dock Detention Center for exercising their fundamental rights.

Since October 2023, Bahraini authorities have detained 344 individuals for expressing solidarity with Palestinians. According to ADHRB, at least 10 minors were arrested after April 2024, facing arbitrary detention without legal warrants, prolonged imprisonment without fair trials, and forced confessions obtained through psychological and physical torture, including threats of sexual violence. These children were systematically denied legal representation and contact with their families.

Testimonies reveal that many of the detained minors suffered physical abuse during their arrests, particularly head injuries. After sentencing, they reportedly endured further mistreatment, including restricted access to medical care, education, family visits, and religious observance. When detainees asserted their rights, they were met with punitive measures such as collective punishment and solitary confinement.

In January, authorities imposed further restrictions, including cutting off communication, limiting prison store purchases, and denying access to sunlight. ADHRB maintains that these practices violate international legal standards governing the detention of minors, and Bahrain has failed to provide any justification for these ongoing arrests.

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has condemned the treatment of detainees and called for urgent reforms. On Friday, the organization urged Bahraini authorities to release over 30 children under the age of 18, stating that their detention violates international protections for free speech.

“No child or adult should be detained on charges related to freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful protest, or for holding political opinions,” WJWC stated. “Bahraini authorities should cease the persecution of schoolchildren.”

The organization has outlined several key demands:

• The immediate release of all minors and adults detained for peaceful protest or political expression.
• Comprehensive reforms to the prison system to align with international humanitarian law and accountability for those responsible for abuses against children.
• Measures to ensure the safety and dignity of detained children and to eliminate impunity for human rights violations.
• Reparations for political prisoners released under the April 2024 amnesty and an end to repression against pro-Palestinian activists.
• Pressure from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and Bahrain’s key allies—including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—to halt arbitrary arrests, reform detention policies, and condemn government abuses.

Ongoing Crackdown Despite Amnesty

In April 2024, the King of Bahrain granted clemency to 1,584 prisoners, including approximately 40 minors, most of whom had been arrested for expressing political views. The amnesty was initially perceived as a step toward greater leniency; however, subsequent arrests—particularly of children—have cast doubt on Bahrain’s commitment to human rights reforms.

Following protests in support of Palestine in late 2023, authorities detained several minors for allegedly violating anti-protest laws. Despite international condemnation, Bahrain continues to suppress political expression, prompting renewed calls for intervention from human rights organizations and the global community.