Victims and Witnesses Protection Office established

Manama, Nov. 25 (BNA): Attorney General, Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al-Buainain, today issued an edict, establishing the Victims and Witnesses Protection Office. The move is within the framework of the application of the Criminal Procedures Law regarding the provision of protection procedures and measures for victims, witnesses and anyone who shares information relevant to criminal cases from the risks that may befall them. The Office shall discuss and execute orders to provide legally-prescribed legal protection for victims, witnesses or any persons of close relation to them. The Office shall contribute to lifting the psychological and material damages inflicted on the victims of the crime, and cooperate with the Family and Child Prosecution, and the Trafficking in Persons Prosecution to execute the protection and care orders stipulated in the laws on protection from domestic violence and trafficking in persons, especially those related to women and children. The Attorney General issued another edict, forming the Victims and Witnesses Protection Office. It shall be chaired by a chief prosecutor, who will be assisted by legal and social researchers. Commenting, Advocate General and Head of the Attorney General's Technical Office, Chancellor Haroon Al-Zayani, said that the establishment of the Victims and Witnesses Protection Office is in line with the requirements of the law and is consistent with international principles and standards regarding the provision of guarantees and the protection of human rights in order to provide safe conditions for collecting testimonies and information that are relevant to criminal cases, whether during investigations or trials. It is also part of the role of the Public Prosecution in lifting the effects arising from the crime, and the participation of human rights bodies in helping those affected by the crime financially and psychologically, in accordance with the provisions of the Law, he said.