NIHR Commends the Promulgation of the Decree-Law No. (24) of 2021 amending Article (13) of the Law No. (18) of 2017 on Alternative Sanctions and Measures
Eng. Ahmed Al-Derazi, Chairperson of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), commended the promulgation of the Decree-Law No. (24) of 2021, by His Majesty the Sovereign King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, amending Article (13) of the Law No. (18) of 2017 on Alternative Sanctions and Measures, noting that the Council of Ministers, headed by His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has approved a set of priority legislation to promote the maintenance of rights and the rule of law and keep pace with development requirements, as part of the efforts made by the Kingdom of Bahrain to update the legislative system in line with the relevant international standards, conventions, charters and protocols related to human rights.
Al-Derazi pointed out that the amendment gave the authority concerned in the Ministry of Interior greater space and flexibility before the judicial authority to apply those penalties to the convicts whenever they meet the requirements stipulated in the Decree-Law, taking into account the convicts’ personal and family circumstances as well as humanitarian justification, stating that the continued expansion in the application of alternative penalties and measures and making them more flexible reflects the civilized vision of the Sovereign King in promoting human rights and protecting society, while ensuring at the same time the enforcement of the law in an advanced societal concept.
Al-Derazi added that alternative sanctions in general are a qualitative leap that guarantee the diversity of sanctions taking into account the convict’s humanitarian conditions, achieve their desired goals and at the same time assist in the rehabilitation and coexistence of the convicts within their community, given the fact that alternative sanction is a successful measure and a sound establishment of the principles of justice aimed at combating crime and preventing its reiteration.
