consultations that take place during the preparation of the national report submitted to the
UPR.
2. The legal status of the Optional Protocol
2.1 According to Article (37) of the Constitution of Bahrain, as soon as the Kingdom joined
the OPSC under Law No. (19) of 2004, the Protocol became part of national law issued by
the legislative authority (House of Representatives and Shura Council), and is applicable to
all2.
Second: General implementation measures and preventive measures
3. The relevant legislative texts
3.1 In its national system, Bahrain has issued a number of legislations that guarantee the
rights of the child and achieve his best interests, especially with regard to protection from
the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography; Through the issuance of the
Children’s Law under Law No. (37) of 2012, the Law of Restorative Justice for Children and
Protection of Children from Abuse under Law No. (4) of 2021, Law No. (1) of 2008 regarding
combating trafficking in persons, and Law No. (17) of 2017 Concerning protection from
domestic violence, in addition to the Kingdom’s accession by virtue of Decree-Law No. (16)
of 1991 to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as what the
Penal Code included and criminalized for those acts against children, which are mostly
legislations referred to in the national report in a clear and detailed way.3
4. OP dissemination and training efforts
4.1 NIHR commends the efforts made by the Supreme Judicial Council, the Public
Prosecution, Ministries and Government agencies, and the Institute of Judicial and Legal
Studies at the advanced level regarding the promotion and consolidation of the concepts of
international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and related international
agreements, protocols, principles, rules and declarations, which has a remarkable impact
on raising the level of law enforcement agencies in dealing with issues related to children's
rights.
4.2 The national report included an extensive statement of the parties concerned with the
implementation of the provisions of the OPSC, and the efforts and activities they carried out
in this regard, while providing an explanation of the national plans and strategies aimed at
achieving optimal implementation of its provisions. In this regard, it commends the clear and
2
3
Article (37) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain stipulates that “...a treaty shall have the force of
law after its conclusion, ratification and publication in the Official Gazette.”
To view the national legislation issued in the Kingdom of Bahrain, please review the official website of the
Authority for Legislation and Legal Opinion: https://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/
2