Zahra Habib
The Criminal Justice Forum and the challenges of the times, which was held under the auspices of the Public Prosecution Office, Dr. Ali Al -Buainain, recommended strengthening judicial cooperation between the justice institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through agreements and memoranda of understanding covering organized crime cases, money laundering, and newly created crimes, as part of the establishment of a Joint Gulf Joint Institute for Vocational Training and Scientific Research.
The forum, which was organized by Al -Ghunaim Lawyers, also called on legal advisers and lawyer Abdullah Al -Nashri in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of a group of judges, members of the Public Prosecution, lawyers and representatives of the Ministry of Interior last Thursday, to establish permanent bilateral coordination committees between the competent authorities for consultation and exchange of information and experiences in the fields of investigation, criminal prosecution, and specialized training.
Participants stressed the importance of continuous updating of legislation and procedures, in a way that ensures the balance between achieving security and preserving rights and freedoms, and in a manner that absorbs modern crimes such as cyber crimes, digital violations, artificial intelligence, enhancing the independence of the judiciary and guarantees of fair trial, by developing procedures, ensuring the presence of defense, controlling pretrial detention, and providing completed justice.
In the technical field and digital transformation, the recommendations were the importance of expanding the use of digital technologies in courts and prosecutions, while ensuring cybersecurity and protecting personal data, in addition to launching joint initiatives to employ artificial intelligence in criminal data analysis, follow up on complex crimes, and control criminal patterns.
With regard to training, the participants urged the importance of designing joint specialized training programs between the two countries for the judges, members of the prosecution, policemen and lawyers, keeping pace with legislative and practical developments.
In restorative justice, they called for expanding the work of alternative penalties and the procedures for reconciliation, especially in misdemeanors and simple crimes, supporting the social rehabilitation and integration programs of inmates, and creating a legal and humanitarian environment that guarantees their positive return to society, as is the case with the open prison program in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
