Written by Fatima Al-Najm
Manama, September 1 (BNA) The Ministry of Interior, the Bahrain Chamber, the Bahrain Development Association for Small and Medium Enterprises, the National Institution for Human Rights and Tamkeen held a meeting to discuss the mechanism for implementing alternatives. Penal code for private companies.
The President of the National Institution for Human Rights Ali Ahmed Al-Derazi confirmed that the Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BDSME, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority, and Tamkeen, initiated the establishment of an integrated working group concerned with developing a mechanism for implementing the alternative penal law in the sector The private.
This step comes within the framework of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision to employ the highest standards and principles of human rights.
Al-Darazi said, “We believe in the importance of the participation of these bodies that pay great attention to social responsibility to contribute to providing job opportunities and work in the service of society and rehabilitation programs for convicts.”
He pointed out that this cooperation will contribute to activating alternative sanctions on a larger scale, ensuring the involvement of beneficiaries in society and encouraging them to continue serving the country.
The head of the National Institution for Human Rights praised the prominent role played by the Ministry of Interior in implementing the provisions of this law in order to achieve the prevention of crime and its non-recurrence and to enhance the Kingdom’s position in the field of human rights according to the highest international standards.
The Director General of the Execution of Alternative Sentences and Provisions at the Ministry of Interior, Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa, affirmed that the private sector is a key partner in the implementation of the alternative penal law.
He pointed to coordination in providing new opportunities and creating diversity and options for beneficiaries of alternative sanctions, in order to ensure their effective benefit, and achieve psychological, behavioral, economic and security stability for them and society.
Sheikh Khaled indicated that the program supports the return of the convicts to their normal lives and their involvement in the labor market.
Samir Abdullah Nass, President of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affirmed the willingness of the members of the Chamber to provide job opportunities and cooperate with the Ministry of Interior.
He highlighted the role of commercial institutions and companies in Bahrain, for many years, in being influential in the development of community partnership.
He pointed out that the implementation of the Alternative Penal Code will effectively achieve the sustainable development goals at all levels.
BDSME President Ahmed Sabah Al-Salloum said that the Alternative Penal Code has strengthened Bahrain’s position internationally, being one of the first Arab countries to implement it.
“The law gives the convicts a new chance in life, making them eligible for reintegration into society,” he said.
Al-Salloum pointed out that the decision of the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments to add the “Entrepreneurship” program, which is supervised by the BDSME Foundation, to the rehabilitation and training programs for those sentenced to alternative penalties and implementation procedures. Opening the way to play a societal role by launching an initiative for partnership between the private sector and the executive authority in implementing the law.
He said that this new initiative is a pioneering idea that provides a new option to apply alternative sanctions, by allowing 25 beneficiaries to train in the entrepreneurship program for a period of six months, thus making the convict eligible to open his commercial registry. Beneficiaries can build their startup in BDSME’s business incubators.
He said, “We will provide 50 training opportunities annually, through which we seek to create a good opportunity, a new life and a promising future for the beneficiaries by qualifying them to integrate naturally into society.”