Manama, Bahrain, 12 Jan. 2026 

The urgent challenge of protecting vulnerable youth in the boundless digital world was the focus of a landmark international conference convened by the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI). Hosted in Manama, Bahrain, the high-level gathering, titled "Protecting Children in the Digital Space: Challenges, Legislation, and Preventive Measures," served as a critical platform for regional cooperation. It was held concurrently with the Network's 25th General Assembly, a session that also witnessed the ceremonial handover of its rotating presidency from the National Center for Human Rights in Jordan to the National Institution for Human Rights in Bahrain.

In his opening address, Osama bin Saleh Al-Alawi, Bahrain’s Minister of Social Development, commended the ANNHRI for its initiative. He framed the conference as a timely and essential response to the rapid digital transformations reshaping society. "While the digital space offers vast opportunities for learning and communication, challenges and risks remain high," Al-Alawi noted, emphasizing the necessity for developing robust legislative and regulatory frameworks to guarantee a safe online environment for children. He positioned the event as a leading forum for showcasing national experiences and fortifying joint Arab action in child protection.

The conference was widely recognized as a direct reflection of the Network’s strategic mission. Ms. Samar Al-Hajj Hassan, the former President of the ANNHRI, stated that the theme was a "practical extension" of the Network's enduring work. She highlighted its commitment to tackling emergent human rights issues with a participatory spirit and a comprehensive approach, building on a journey that began in Nouakchott in 2011. This sentiment was reinforced by Engineer Ali Ahmed Al-Darazi, Chairman of Bahrain’s human rights institution, who described the event as a vital dialogue platform. He pointed to the increasing challenges children face online, such as exploitation, bullying, and privacy violations, which demand continuously evolving legislation and preventative measures.

A detailed and sobering analysis of the digital landscape was provided by Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Secretary-General of the ANNHRI. He asserted that the digital realm is now an inseparable part of childhood and adolescence, yet it "opens the door to increasing cyber threats." These range from cyberbullying and sexual exploitation to the hacking of personal data, with risks acutely magnified in conflict zones lacking legal and digital safeguards. Al-Jamali identified a persistent problem: the pace of technological change consistently outstrips the ability of legislation to keep up. To bridge this gap, he called for integrated institutional responses grounded in international standards and strengthened regional partnerships.

The conference concluded with a firm resolve to translate dialogue into action. The discussions and shared best practices from the interactive sessions are being woven into the ANNHRI’s future work plans. This ensures the sustainability of the conference’s impact and fosters deeper collaboration among member institutions. Ultimately, the event underscored a unified regional commitment to creating a safe, inclusive digital space that preserves the dignity and rights of every child. In his closing remarks, Al-Jamali also reaffirmed the Network's broader, principled stance on human rights, expressing steadfast support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights to self-determination, statehood, and justice through international legal mechanisms.