Hoax-bombers, beware!

W

ith the lawmakers passing an urgent resolution to amend the existing penal code, punishments against bomb-hoaxing will become tougher in Bahrain. During their weekly meeting yesterday, the MPs discussed a proposal to remove an article in the penal code that stipulates punishing those who disrupt the public by placing fake bombs with either imprisonment or a fine that is not more than BD5000.

The proposal aims to only enforce an article mentioned in another law that is related to protecting the society from terrorism, which punishes doers of the exact same act with nothing less than 10 years of imprisonment.

This subject stirred a prolonged discussion among the MPs. Many of them objected to the amendment, claiming it’s too harsh, especially that many of the individuals involved in such cases are “misled youth”, while others demanded to apply more severe penalties.

Dr. Majeed Al Asfoor

The first MP to express his objection to the amendment was the council’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Dr. Majeed Al Asfoor.

He basically objected considering all individuals who place hoax bombs as terrorists, as the decision suggests.

The MP pointed out that “some of the youth may be doing this (placing fake bombs in public) to impress their girlfriends and schoolmates.”

“This amendment classifies anyone placing a hoax bomb in public or on public transportation as a terrorist. Social media is misguiding the youth by portraying terrorism as a heroic act. Young people (18 years or less) think they would become heroes by doing such acts. These are kids seeking fame. They know nothing about terrorism,” Dr. Al Asfoor said.

He added, “I suggest we leave this article and don’t remove it, so we could give judges the choice to justify if it’s terrorism act or were done for other purposes.”

Meanwhile, many fellow MPs objected Dr. Al Asfoor’s statements, stressing that “kids, or not, there is no compromise on the country’s security.”

In response, Dr. Al Asfoor said, “My suggestion is to amend the article and to make it compatible with the punishments mentioned in the law of protecting the society from terrorism. I’m not justifying any crimes here or being lenient with them. I almost died coming to this council, so I’m very concerned about the country’s security.”

Mohammed Al Jowder

“This is not related to fame. This is terrorism. We must protect the citizens and residents here from terrorism.  We should not give judges the choice to give lighter verdicts. It’s the duty of the family or the society, not the state,” Mohammed Al Jowder said.

Abdulrahman Al Hammadi

Minister of Information and Parliament Affairs Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi spoke about the significance of the legislation.

He stressed the importance of the provision of a secure environment to increase the inflow of investments to develop the communities.

He also noted the positive outcome of beefing up security for its effect on the economic sector and the whole community.

“The stronger the pillars of security have been cemented, the more the economic environment flourishes. Today this regulation comes to toughen the penalty to prevent such malpractices and to eliminate them altogether from our community. We should not overlook the negative impacts on the community, family and individuals faced with roadblocks whenever they come out of their homes. Such malpractices have negative impacts on children and families, which creates a sense of insecurity in them,” the Minister stated.

The Minister added, “Everybody knows that such negative malpractices take a lot of effort, time and public money, which all of us are keen to save and to use properly for the sake of community and human resources development.”

Abdullah Binhowail

Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Head Abdullah Binhowail supported the committee’s decision to pass the amendment.

He said, “The circumstances witnessed by Bahrain push us to take such an action. These acts of terrorism are repeatedly harming our country. We have communicated with the concerned authorities before coming to this conclusion. There must be a deterrent punishment.”

“This is a matter of safety and security of the nation. There’s no misguidance or playing here. It’s the parents’ duty to educate and protect their children from being involved into such serious matters,” Binhowail stressed.

The discussion lasted for at least two hours, as MPs, supporting and objecting, continued to justify their opinions. 

However, it is now referred to Shura Council for approval, after majority of MPs voted for passing it.