Family and Child Prosecution to launch videoconferencing system

Manama, June 20 (BNA): A videoconference system will be launched at the Family and Child Prosecution to pave the way for direct or recorded transmission of children’s testimonies at courts, the Public Prosecution announced. The move aims to consolidate the child protection procedures, provide suitable social and psychological environment for children in accordance with their needs and their circumstances and enable minors to testify within a more relaxed and reassuring atmosphere, the Public Prosecution added. Chief Prosecutor Dr Ali Al-Shuwaikh said that the use of the videoconferencing technology aims to achieve the best interests for children, in general, whether victims, witnesses or suspects, while affording all legal guarantees, including enabling defence lawyers to make instant questions. He pointed out that the new system will contribute to reducing the psychological effects on children who deliver their statements, especially while facing perpetrators. Dr. Al-Shuwaikh also said that a court had been equipped by modern technology, and had already implemented the videoconferencing technique to hear children’s testimonies. He stressed constant keenness to develop the justice, as well as to protect witnesses, and cope with technological development to ease procedures, increase their efficiency and achieve the legal requirements stipulated by the Criminal Procedures Law. According to the Code of Criminal Procedures, the court, in order to fast-track, may resort to modern audio-visual technology to hear the statements of witnesses or those with information about the case, whether through direct transmission or recorded statement during the session whenever the witness could not attend for any reasons.