NIHR: Remote Trial is a Qualitative Shift in the Justice System of Bahrain
The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) commends the resolution of His Excellency Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs adopting a temporary headquarters for courts in the Jaw region, in the context of achieving the requirements and facilitating the procedures of remote trial, pursuant to the Law (7) of 2020 amending some provisions of the Criminal Procedures Law.
The NIHR states that the application of remote trial complies with, completes and enhances all the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in order to maintain the health and safety of all litigants and individuals and enhance criminal justice requirements.
Ms. Maria Khoury, Chairperson of the Council of Commissioners, appreciated the issuance of new amendments to the Criminal Procedures Law, which would provide more solutions to facilitate investigation and trial procedures of all parties to the criminal case, by taking advantage of advanced technical means, without prejudice to the requirements of fair trial, defense rights or legally-established guarantees, and in a manner that meets the requirements of the Criminal Procedures Law, permitting the Public Prosecution and the court to use teleportation techniques when the Public Prosecution deems necessary upon exercising its competencies and subject to the authority, discretion and full supervision of the court. The NIHR, within its broad mandate set forth in its Incorporation Law relating to attending court trials to monitor fair trial guarantees, will undoubtedly communicate with the judicial authorities to activate its oversight role in ensuring that such trials comply with international guarantees and standards of fair trials.