A quantum leap for judicial procedures

TDT | Manama

Work is underway to create a technical system for remote investigation and criminal trial. This is according to Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fadhl Al Buainain, who was speaking as he praised His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s ratification and issuance of Law 7/2020, amending some provisions of the Criminal Procedures Law promulgated by Decree 46/2002 after its approval by the Shura and Representatives councils.

Dr Al Buainain said that the work is in coordination between the Public Prosecution, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. He stressed that the move represents a quantum leap towards developing judicial procedures.

The Attorney General further explained that the use of remote technology in the public prosecution and criminal courts paves the way for launching a new stage in the development of criminal proceedings, based on the ultimate goal of achieving a fair trial.

He underlined the importance of the new amendments to the Criminal Procedures Law, which, he said, are consistent with the recent trends in the field of criminal justice.

Dr Al Buainain said that they aim to facilitate investigation and trial procedures, establish witness protection, protect the presumption of innocence principle (the accused is innocent until proven guilty), ensure open hearings, develop easier solutions to the criminal procedures without prejudice to the rights, ensure the control of the evidence of the criminal case and the execution of the rulings issued therein, as well as use the technological means to initiate and prove the procedures, whether in the stage of evidence-collecting, investigation or trial.

This is all within the framework of establishing the principles of full justice and human rights.