The Kingdom of Bahrain represents an advanced model in reformist justice by implementing the alternative sanctions project launched by the Ministry of Interior. This project reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to human rights and its compliance with the provisions of the United Nations prisoners’ rights, which confirms its desire to improve the punitive system through societal rehabilitation and integration programs.
The first conference of the alternative penal project, which was launched under the gracious patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Interior, the first team, His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, is a major step towards strengthening this reform model. The project is headed by His Excellency the General Manager Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa, who played a prominent role in developing and managing it with high efficiency. Through this initiative, Bahrain continues to prove its compliance with international human rights standards, as alternative sanctions provide real opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives.
The alternative sanctions project aims to achieve a set of goals that contribute to improving the judicial system and promoting social justice. The alternative penalties project seeks to rehabilitate the convicts and integrate them into society through training, educational and community service programs, which gives them a new opportunity for life, and enhances their contribution to society positively. It also aims to reduce the rates of return to crime by providing a reform environment in support of the positive behavioral transformation and enhancing societal commitment, which contributes to building a safer and more stable society. In addition, the project is keen to achieve human justice by ensuring a treatment that preserves the dignity of the convicts, and is in line with international human rights agreements, which enhances the rights of individuals even during the implementation of the punishment. On the other hand, the project helps to reduce pressure on the reform institutions by reducing the number of prisoners within the reform centers, which leads to improving the living conditions within these institutions and raising the efficiency of the rehabilitation programs provided in them.
It also enhances the national economy by enabling individuals to participate in the labor market during the implementation of an alternative punishment, which reflects positively on society and the economy.
Bahrain was honored to receive official delegations from the Gulf states, who were keen to attend the conference, as they were briefed on the leading Bahraini experience in the field of alternative sanctions, which proved its success in promoting reform justice and rehabilitating the convicts and integrating them into society. These visits reflect regional interest in applying this advanced model, and taking advantage of Bahraini experiences in developing legal systems aimed at achieving a balance between security and respecting human rights.
The alternative sanctions project is closely in line with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision in achieving sustainable development, as it aims to build a more just and humanitarian society through rehabilitating and integrating individuals into social and economic life. This project supports the eighth goal of the United Nations sustainable development goals, related to providing decent work and economic growth, by providing opportunities for convicts to contribute to the labor market instead of staying behind bars. It also enhances the sixteenth goal that focuses on achieving justice and community peace, by providing reform solutions that reduce the rates of return to crime, and create a more stable and safe environment. Through the application of alternative sanctions, Bahrain confirms its commitment to the 2030 vision, which seeks to achieve an advanced judicial system that supports economic and social development, and guarantees respect for human rights as a basis for sustainable progress.
