Children’s rights and welfare are priority: Bahrain
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The Public Prosecution is ready to implement the new Restorative Justice Law for children at all stages of the criminal case. Family and Child Prosecution head Zainab Al Awainati said the law ensures that children are protected from maltreatment and that their best interests are a priority in all provisions and procedures related to them.
It came into effect last week as a comprehensive law for dealing with children when they are exposed to danger or in cases of mistreatment.
It comes as an implementation of the approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in developing the legislative system and the protection of children’s rights in accordance with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two optional protocols to the Convention, to which Bahrain has acceded, Al Awainati added.
The law, in principle, does not establish criminal liability for a child under 15, and therefore no penalties are imposed on a delinquent child at this age but rather measures aimed at evaluating and guiding his behaviour, she said. Restorative Justice Law is an advanced and enlightened law with a new methodology in considering reformist issues.
Al Awainati noted that the new law has established a judicial committee to consider requests to replace the penalties imposed before the entry into force of this law.
The law takes note of the child’s condition and legal status in relation to those who had previously been punished before the law came into force.
It also stipulates that the provisions of the end of the case by conciliation and reconciliation will apply in a manner that justifies resorting to mediation in the cases of children for their interest, which is the legislator’s goal of the law and has priority in all procedures.
Charged on two accounts
A girl under the age of 15 has been placed under judicial probation for one year in the first decision by the Judicial Committee for Childhood, the Supreme Judicial Council has announced. The girl was charged by the Public Prosecution on two accounts – abuse via a mobile phone and misuse of a mobile phone.
The girl admitted the charges, the committee said. The decision was based on a report from a social expert commissioned by the committee. The Judicial Committee for Childhood is specialises in looking into cases of danger to, or ill-treatment of, children, that are referred to it by the child prosecution.
The committee comprises the Child Correctional Court judge (the committee chair), a member of the Specialised Child Prosecution Office, both nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, and an expert selected by the committee.
Introductory lectures on police work
The Royal Police Academy will hold introductory lectures on the effects of the Law on Restorative Justice for Children and their Protection from Maltreatment on police work.
Chief of Public Security Lt-General Tariq Al Hassan called for the lectures as he chaired the Royal Police Academy Scientific Council meeting, attended by the academy commander and the council members. The academy council approved a unified curriculum for the family and children protection offices of security directorates.
Related Posts