Bahrain embassy holds seminar on Alternative Sentences Law

London, Feb. 10 (BNA): Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa hosted an seminar to shed light on the recent enactment of the expanded scope of the Alternative Sentences Law in Bahrain. The seminar began with opening remarks from Yara Faraj, General Coordinator for Media and Communications at the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister who gave an introduction about the Government Priorities Framework and its Action Plan for 2015-2018 which reflects Bahrain’s strategic priorities over that period and focuses on delivering reforms and sustainable change. She highlighted that legal and legislative reforms are part of that plan. Bader Mohamed from the Ministry of Interior highlighted the national effort that took place to bring the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law into effect. The effort led to the establishment of a National Committee that brought together relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Judiciary, and the Public Prosecution among institutions involved in criminal justice and rehabilitation. Bader also added that the bill was debated and discussed in both houses of parliament, and became law in July. The law significantly expands the scope of the application of alternatives sentences with focus on effective rehabilitation and a reduction in reoffending rates through purposeful programmes that involve community service, training, pre-release programmes, and others. The event was attended by Hindpal Singh from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), Professor Dennis Sammut from Oxford University, William Morris, Chairman of the New Century Foundation, diplomats, and Bahrainis studying Law and Criminal Justice in the UK.