Bahrain law on Restorative Justice for Children and their Protection from Maltreatment comes into force

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s Law on Restorative Justice for Children and Their Protection from Maltreatment took effect yesterday. It was six months after its issuance and the completion of the legislative, technical and procedural requirements for its implementation, marking an outstanding milestone in the justice system and the protection of children’s rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The law represents a culmination of Bahrain’s leadership and excellence in upholding public rights and freedoms under the wise and humanitarian approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

A new success story in the human rights and development process under the leadership of HM the King and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the law is the fruitful outcome of a civilised intellectual vision that crowns the Kingdom’s legislative and institutional efforts to care for children and respect their rights in the present and the future, in accordance with the best international standards.

It also reflects the close cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Public Prosecution, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Kingdom, civil society and the National Institution for Human Rights.

The Restorative Justice Law uses restorative processes and seeks to achieve restorative outcomes that promote the child’s rehabilitation and reintegration, as promoted by the UN.

It is a qualitative addition to modern criminal legislation that gives the child’s best interests priority in all judgments, decisions and procedures, regardless of the party that issues them or practices them.