Attorney General: Bahrain has rich record of human rights achievements

Manama, Dec. 10 (BNA): Attorney General, Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainin, described protection of human rights as the basic foundation for achieving development in its various aspects. Marking the Human Rights Day, he pointed out that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with its high values and noble goals, represents an important development in human history. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is rich in pioneering human rights achievements and public freedoms. He noted that the kingdom has become a model that enjoys international praise and appreciation, with the availability of national human rights, monitoring and judicial mechanisms that aim to protect human rights in the criminal justice system. The Attorney General affirmed synergized judicial efforts to cope with the kingdom’s future vision to promote human rights. He cited steps taken in this respect to ensure justice and enforcement of the law. He also pointed out measures taken to enhance the kingdom’s honourable record in protecting the children’s rights and enforcing the Law on Restorative Justice for Children and Their Protection from Maltreatment. He added that the Public Prosecution was also keen on the effective implementation of the restorative justice systems introduced by the Bahraini legislation, which are based on compensating the victim, removing the damages arising from the crime, and rehabilitating and reforming the offender to return to a useful member of the society. The Attorney General also pointed out the Alternative Penalties and Procedures Law, being one of Bahrain’s most prominent legislative achievements in the human rights field. The law is also regarded as a significant shift in the punitive policy to a broader scope by going beyond the painful meaning of restricting freedom to another type of penalty that can correct and guide the behaviour of the convict, commensurate with his personal or health conditions, without prejudice to the rights of the victims and the purposes of justice.