By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 24th July 2007

A NEW law sparked by the case of missing toddler Bader Jawad Hussain Mubarak is being drafted by four Shura Council members. Council member and Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) regional and international director Faisal Fulad is spearheading the proposal, expected to be submitted by the end of September.

The three-year-old vanished while playing outside his home in Samaheej on July 10 and the search is continuing.

"This is the second case of a child going missing - how many children have to go missing until we have a child protection law that may prevent such incidents," he said.

An 11-year-old Bahraini girl was reported missing in February 2002.

Fatima Tawfiq had fled her father's house and all efforts to trace her have been in vain despite an extensive nationwide search.

"Authorities have to take action in such matters and find measures to protect children," said Mr Fulad.

A child protection law already exists in Bahrain, but Mr Fulad said that it was not effective.

He also said that the Supreme Council for Women must not only focus on issues related to women but on families and provide the relevant framework for their protection.

Meanwhile, efforts are still continuing by the society to help locate Bader.

Around 2,000 posters were distributed by members at traffic lights in Manama yesterday.

"We are also receiving donations from a number of people and we are waiting to collect a little more in support of the family," said Mr Fulad.

Bader's mother, Sakeena, 50, said that there was still no news on the whereabouts of her son.

Ms Sakeena said she was still waiting for her son to come back and she will not give up.

"I am not losing hope I know that Bader will come back to us one day," said Ms Sakeena.

"I know that God will grant me my wish to see my son - I want to hold him tight and never let him go away from my sight."

Bader's family will be evacuating from their dilapidated house in Samaheej to temporary accommodation in the area soon.

The move follows directives from Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on July 20 to rebuild the family's house, which is on the waiting list of the dilapidated homes' scheme, immediately.

Bader's eldest brother Mohammed, 23, said he had received the key to the temporary apartment in Samaheej.

"We are not sure when we will be moving into the apartment, but it will be hopefully by August 1," he said.

The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society had set up a hotline for people to call with information on 17531822 or 39458605.

The Interior Ministry is asking people to call 999 if they have any information on Bader's whereabouts.

rasha@gdn.com.bh

CHILDREN of members at the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society expressed their sympathy to three-year-old toddler Bader who went missing on July 10.

They wrote a poem dedicated to Bader's family and friends.

There once was a child called Bader

So innocent and happy

His parents' love for him

Just raised and raised

Until one day when he was taken

His family and friends were so very shaken

They ask themselves why this had to be

What they would give if they could just see

His smiling face and twinkling eyes

And hold him tight when he would cry

But even though Mom and Dad are not there

There is someone else who truly cares

An Angel's been sent from up above

To keep him safe and give him your love

They'll bring him home to you one day

To give you the chance once more to say

How much you love him and missed him so

Don't give up hope searching we know

© Gulf Daily News