CAIRO: Regional condemnation has been sparked against the Bahrain government over the trial of an 11-year-old child on charges of “blocking a street with trash containers.” The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), a pan-Arab human rights organization focusing on freedom of speech, has denounced the detention of the child. “Bahrain is continuing to eliminate human rights, escalate the crackdown on activists, and neglect all calls for reform,” a statement from ANRHI read. Activists on Twitter have already expressed their dismay and concern over the child after he had disappeared, given that there “was no reason declared for his arrest.” The Cairo-based organization also stated that the child was continually crying and recognized the charges against him under psychological pressure and his yearning to return to his family. “ANHRI is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of the authorities' crackdown on activists to the extent that they detain children in security cases. “The detention of Bouflasa and Rajab is a continuation of the infringements on freedoms and liberties in Bahrain. The government harnesses all the authorities and powers to restrict the opposition and eliminate the voices that seek freedom and reform," said ANHRI.
