International conference calls for adopting Bahrain's alternative sentencing experience

Manama, Sept. 28 (BNA): Participants in the "International Conference of Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law: Qualitative Experience in Criminal Legislation" have called on national human rights institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society institutions, human rights advocates and specialists to push for a law for alternative sentencing in countries that have not yet enacted it. The communiqué of the conference also recommended that the national legislation regulating alternative sanctions and measures be compatible with the United Nations standards for human rights and criminal justice and other relevant international resolutions. This includes the possibility of ending the alternative punishment before the end of the prescribed period, and considering this as an exemption for the beneficiary from the remainder of their sentence when it is proven to the relevant judicial authorities that they deserve this, according to legally defined guarantees, controls and procedures, the final statement added. While presenting the final statement of the conference, the Chairman of the Detention and Facilities Visitation Committee at the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), Dr. Malallah Jaffar Alhammadi, stressed the need to complete the legislative structure of the law on alternative sentencing and open prisons as well, in accordance with modern systems in this regard as one of the legal means that have a significant impact on reforming the convict, correcting their behaviour and making them eligible for reintegration into society. He also called for adopting the alternative sentencing and open prisons laws within the plans, strategies and national human rights action programmes, provided that the beneficiary is given a certificate proving their good conduct and behaviour to enable them to pursue their academic studies (university, professional or school) without prejudice to the application of the alternative penalty to their right to continue that study. The conference stressed the need to take advantage of the recommendations made during its sessions to be a guide for the development of the restorative justice system, with an emphasis on building the capacities of workers in the field of penalties, alternative measures and open prisons, including law enforcement entities, through the establishment of specialised units within its administrative structure to be responsible for supervising training, raising awareness and proposing developmental recommendations in this field. The participants in the conference underlined the importance of raising awareness among the inmates of the reformation and rehabilitation institutions on the existing legal conditions and controls for benefiting from alternative measures and open prisons, calling for facilitating the prescribed procedures for those wishing to replace their penalty. They also stressed the importance of raising the awareness of the official entities, companies, private institutions, NGOs and human rights advocates on the benefits of the alternative sentencing and open prisons systems so as to be real partners in the rehabilitation and reformation of those benefiting from alternative penalties. The conference called for a legislative amendment that would allow convicts to pay their fines in installments while serving the alternative penalty. The "International Conference of Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law: Qualitative Experience in Criminal Legislation" was organized by the National Institution for Human Rights on September 27-28, in the presence of more than 300 participants from Bahrain and abroad.