Alternative Penal Code: Between the Important Theory and Practice in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is issuing a new report, in both Arabic and English languages, entitled “Alternative Penal Code: Between the Important Theory and Practice in Bahrain.”

The report aims to clarify the penalty depriving freedom, as well as its disadvantages, whether for the convicted individual or for the community. The report highlights the alternatives that can replace this type of sanctions and the extent to which Bahraini legislators have adopted these principles.
The report studies the types of penalties and their division in Bahraini laws and legislations, in addition to the adoption of the Alternative Penal Code in Bahrain (theoretical aspect) and the reality of its application in Bahrain.

The report concluded with several recommendations calling on the Bahraini government to:
•The release of all prisoners whom is possible for them to be released under alternative sentencin.

•Raise the criminal character of some minor crimes that are considered to be a cause for the prolongation of short-term penalties and be satisfied with judging them with compensatory penalties, instead of restricting the freedom of the convict;
• Leave the discretionary power of the judge in approving the moratorium system without limiting it to an unprecedented category, whenever their personal, social and economic conditions allow this;
• Adopt various punitive systems that replace short-term deprivation of freedom, which will be placed at the disposal of the judge, especially the daily fine and the system of judicial testing, at least for juvenile convicts.

Read the full reportAlternative Penal Code: Between the Important Theory and Practice in Bahrain