Bahrain : The restorative justice courts for children will start working on Sunday, pursuant to the provisions of Law 4/2021 on the promulgation of the Restorative Justice Law for Children and their Protection from Maltreatment, which came into force on August 18, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has announced.
A higher court and a lower court will be responsible for examining crimes committed by under-18 children. They will give top priority to the child’s interests in all rulings, decisions and procedures related to them, regardless of the authority that issues or executes them.
The Law stipulates that child victims or witnesses, at all stages of investigation and trial, shall have the right to be heard, have their demands understood and be treated in a manner that preserves their dignity and ensures their physical, psychological and moral integrity. They shall also have the right to protection, health, social and legal assistance, rehabilitation and integration into society.
In addition to the aforementioned rights guaranteed during all stages of arrest, investigation, trial and verdict execution, child suspects shall also have the right to obtain all information about the charges leveled against them, with the assistance of an interpreter whenever need arises. They shall also have the right to all forms of legal and judicial assistance, in addition to a lawyer of their choice or appointed by the court to defend them at the trial stage, in line with the rules stipulated in the Code of Criminal Procedures.
The restorative justice courts for children are model courts operating in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the Public Prosecution to enforce the law. They aim to meet the judicial needs of children, in accordance with national and international standards to consolidate justice among all segments of society and strengthen the mechanisms of the judiciary and respect for human rights, including those of children, which is a clear strategy adopted by the Kingdom to promote the national fundamentals of the state of law and institutions.
