Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR)’s President, announced that the NIHR board of commissioners approved the position of “Child Rights Commissioner”.
The Child Rights Commissioner shall work to protect and promote the best interests of the child, and support the environmental policy of the child, based on the powers conferred on the NIHR by virtue of the establishment law, which grants it the right to follow-up and monitor all human rights issues, including child’s rights.
Al Derazi explained that the Child Rights Commissioner will be appointed from among the current members of the Board of Commissioners in the NIHR.
The Child Rights Commissioner must participate in training programs and workshops related to the mechanism for dealing with complaints related to children, and must be familiar with the national legislation regulating children’s rights as well as the relevant international instruments.
The Child Rights Commissioner will also be considered an independent ambassador for children’s rights.
The Child Rights Commissioner will also ensure that children’s rights, views and interests are heard, understands their issues, works to protect and promote their interests, and supports environmental policy for children.
Al Derazi said that the Child Rights Commissioner should work to establish partnerships with government agencies, civil society institutions, and relevant regional and international non-governmental organisations.
He said that the Child Rights Commissioner is to investigate any matter related to children’s rights, including the adequacy of complaints and support services for children, follow-up with assessments of the impact of children’s rights on new policies and legislation, and conduct research and studies related to children’s rights.
The president added that the NIHR General Secretariat will provide technical and logistical support.
Al Derazi stressed that this step will contribute to supporting human rights and children’s rights, stressing the importance of raising generations in a way that contributes to the development of society.
Source: Bahrain News Agency