Manama: Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa has valued His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s issuance of Decree-Law 24/2021, amending Article (13) of Law 18/2017 on penalties and alternative measures.
It states: “The relevant authority at the Interior Ministry may request the executive judge to substitute the original penalty by one or more of the alternative penalties set forth in Article (2) of this Law, provided that it would not pose a threat to public security, and that the convicted person must have paid all the financial liabilities handed down against them by a criminal court, unless it is impossible for them to pay.”
He highlighted that the law endorsed by HM the King is a turning point to the reformation system because of its positive impacts. It is like a national and civilised project out of the belief of HM the King in the importance of protecting the social fabric. He added, along with HM the King’s support for those who had misled the right path for committing legal violations to be integrated into society and assist them in overcoming the unfortunate situations and pass into a new phase of patriotism and contributions to the community.
The Interior Minister said that the generous gesture launched by HM the King helps expand the implementation of the law that aims to develop the criminal justice system.
Bahrain has been among pioneer Arab countries to implement the alternative penalties law, the Interior Minister said, revealing that since the enforcement of the law in 2017, it has covered around 3511 convicts.
He said that the advanced and positive step reflects the foundation of the state of law and institutions, as well as the Reform Project of HM the King and his directives to develop legislation to achieve community reformation, family stability and sustainable development.
He highlighted that the Cabinet, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has approved top priority legislation aiming to protect rights and the sovereignty of the law after his directives to review them.
The Interior Minister added that the civilised approach of the Kingdom through legislation and practices meet its approach to modernising its legal system in line with international standards, agreements, conventions and protocols.
He concluded that the Interior Ministry would continue to reinforce human rights standards and values within the prosperous era of HM the King.
