PRESERVING the best interests of a child is always the priority of the law, Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fadl Al Buainain told a webinar looking at developments in the kingdom’s legal system.
The Public Prosecution is working on the strict implementation of the law of restorative justice for children to protect them and to ensure they are being treated fairly.
The child law is a model legislation in the treatment of children in crime cases and stipulates that no judgment, order, or action to be taken against a child unless it is based on a thorough study of the social and psychological conditions of the child.
This came in an international workshop themed Prospects and Challenges of Effective Application of the Restorative Justice Law for Children which was held under the patronage of the Attorney General, in co-operation with the Institute of Judicial and Legal Studies and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with the participation of the British and French embassies in Bahrain.
Yesterday’s event was attended by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, a number of ambassadors to the kingdom, judges, members of the Public Prosecution Office, international experts and more than 200 specialists from different countries of the world.
In his opening speech, Dr Al Buainain said that the extent and high level of participation from friendly countries and the United Nations Office is testament to the seriousness and credibility of the steps taken by the kingdom in its march towards establishing a credible and trustworthy legal system to guarantee public and private freedoms and rights.
He explained that over the years, Bahrain had spared no effort in promoting justice and establishing the rule of law. The recent past witnessed elaborate legislative reviews that resulted in the establishment of a coherent legal system and the emergence of a group of strong institutions concerned with the protection of human rights in the country.
Dr Al Buainain pointed out the purpose of the workshop was to discuss the various aspects of the law on restorative justice for children and how to protect them from abuse.
Officials praised the kingdom’s legal endeavours.
Several officials including British Ambassador Roderick Drummond, French Ambassador Jérôme Cauchard, Egyptian Ambassador Yasser Mohammed Ahmed Shaban, lawyer and Shura Council member Dalal Jassim Abdulla Al Zayed and Judge Ebrahim Al Zayed, who heads the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court, took part in the online event.
Ms Al Zayed described the developments as unprecedented. “The vast amount of legislations implemented in Bahrain these past few years have drawn great attention and praise internationally,” she said.
“This shows the huge development in the justice system in Bahrain over the years.
“The new Child Corrective Justice Law helps the family as a whole which is the basis of a stable society.”
Mr Drummond appeared equally impressed. “The law is a combination of a real national team effort which the UK is happy to support,” he added.
“It is a complicated area in law and it will take time to be fully effective.
“This workshop is discussing the challenges and I have been very impressed with our Bahraini partners and their real desire to find solutions.”
Mr Cauchard expressed the strong partnership between Bahrain and France in connection with applying laws to help protect society.
“We see continued improvements in Bahrain with the latest addition of juvenile justice reform,” he said.
“I would like to salute the many efforts that have been made in recent months in Bahrain.
“This provides better support for children and protection of the country’s youth.”
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