HUMAN rights activists in Bahrain have called on the UN to condemn the exploitation of children during violent rallies.

They have also urged the government to implement tougher punishment against instigators and parents who allow their children to be used as “human shields” in riots.

Experts fear the ongoing violence could have permanent psychological implications on children.

It comes ahead of tomorrow’s expected demonstrations called by radical opposition groups under the Tamarod (rebellion) movement.

The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) has sent a letter to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in a bid to prevent “terror groups” from exploiting youths.

“The letter urges the Unicef to condemn the acts of violence involving innocent children,” BHRWS secretary-general Faisal Fulad told the GDN.

“It also calls to implement procedures against terror groups who are proven to be using children and exposing them to violence.”

Police have also been urged to be cautious when dispersing rioters, especially if children are involved.

“If children will take part in such demonstrations it is important for police to take extra caution,” said National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) vice-chairman Dr Abdulla Al Deerazi.

“They should protect them in such situations.”

He said under new amendments to the terror acts law, parents are held responsible if they expose their children to riots and violence.

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist and expert in violence rehabilitation Dr Bana Bu Zaboon is concerned about the psychological impact of violence.

“Such exposure can lead to psychological effects and shocks as well as mental ones, which are the responsibility of their parents who have allowed them to be there in the first place,” she said.

“Therefore provokers and parents will have to be held responsible and face punishments.”

She said even though laws to penalise parents exist, they need to be strictly implemented.

“There are laws in the country’s judicial system which holds parents responsible for the acts of children under the age of 15,” she explained.

“These should be implemented strictly instead of trying to introduce new laws.

“This is because encouraging children to take part in political and violent events is considered destroying national energies of the country and violating human rights laws.”

The GDN reported in June that nearly 300 children have been used as human shields during clashes between anti-government protesters and police two months ago.

BHRWS earlier said Iranian-backed extremists have been using women and children to spread their political agenda and have presented photographs as evidence at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.