I received a kind invitation from the Royal Court to attend the majlis of His Majesty King Hamad as he received senior members of the Royal Family, Parliament Speaker, Shura Council Chairman, officials, citizens and achievers.
It was a great honour and a wonderful and exceptional opportunity to greet His Majesty.
The King gave a speech where he praised the results of the Interior Ministry’s alternative sentencing programme.
He expressed his pride in it being the first of its kind in the region, as Bahrain, with its constitutional and executive institutions, and its continuous keenness to develop the criminal system, took the initiative to have its own experience in this field, and with legislation and policies that enhance human rights.
I found in the contents of His Majesty’s speech his great love for the sons of the nation and his complete conviction in this project, which has been praised locally and internationally.
The Interior Minister stressed in his speech that this law stemmed from the King’s belief that the place of the nation’s youth is not in prisons, but rather they are embraced by their families, society and the nation, with educational opportunities provided to enable them to actively participate in building and developing the nation.
I was pleased that since 2018, the programme has resulted in the rehabilitation and integration of 7,458 beneficiaries. What confirms the outstanding success of the work methodology is the percentage of commitment among its beneficiaries, which has reached 97.5pc.
I personally see that the purpose of punishment is to achieve deterrence. However, it has been proven that deprivation of freedom does not always achieve the desired goals. Alternative Sentencing Programme aims to reform and rehabilitate convicts. This punishment has found a balance between human freedom and dignity, as well as the right of society to deter and limit the commission of crimes.
He explained that alternative punishment scheme has found a radical solution to all the problems that accompanied the application of traditional punishments, with its ultimate goal being reform and rehabilitation.
The convict is first and last a human being, even if circumstances have willed that he be in this position, and we must all think about the process of reforming and rehabilitating him, so that he may return to being an active element in the development of society. This approach is stipulated in international conventions.
The programme is an evidence of the Kingdom’s compliance with international agreements and application of principles approved by the United Nations regarding prisoners, detainees, penalties and various procedures. This confirms Bahrain’s keenness in promoting human rights in general and the rights of convicts, inmates and reform and rehabilitation centres, in particular.
The Alternative Penalties Law is one of the most important human rights achievements that have strengthened the social fabric and contributed to family stability, reducing crime rates, and integrating beneficiaries into society allowing them to lead normal lives.
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