The AL Amal Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the arrest of the child Mohammed Fadel Al-Zaki (15 years old), the son of Sheikh Fadel Al-Zaki from the village of Abu Saiba, by security forces in the Kingdom of Bahrain, after he was summoned to the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
According to information available to the Center, the child was presented to the Public Prosecution, which decided to detain him for seven days pending investigation, on charges of “inciting hatred against the regime” over posts he published on TikTok.
A blatant violation of children’s rights
The Amal Center affirms that Mohammed Al-Zaki is considered a child under international law, specifically the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Bahrain, which stipulates that the detention of children must be a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible duration. This clearly does not apply in this case, especially as the charges relate to freedom of opinion and expression.
Criminalizing peaceful expression
Prosecuting a child for content posted on social media constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also reflects the continued use of vague laws by Bahraini authorities to restrict digital space and target minors.
Concerns over psychological and legal consequences
The Amal Center warns that detaining children in expression-related cases can cause serious long-term psychological harm, undermine their educational and social opportunities, and contradict international standards that emphasize a rehabilitative and educational approach when dealing with minors.
Demands of the Amal Center for Human Rights
The Amal Center calls on the Bahraini authorities to:
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Immediately and unconditionally release the child Mohammed Fadel Al-Zaki.
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Drop all charges related to freedom of opinion and expression.
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Comply with international standards that protect children from arbitrary detention.
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Ensure the child’s physical and psychological well-being and enable him to communicate with his family and lawyer.
Call to the international community
The Amal Center also urges international human rights and child-rights organizations to take urgent action and follow up on this case, as it represents a dangerous precedent of targeting children for peaceful expression in Bahrain.