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Daily Tribune
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Lawmakers consider expanding non-custodial sentences with new legal reforms
TDT | Manama Lawmakers are set to decide on amendments granting judges greater flexibility to impose non-custodial sentences, including house arrest, electronic tagging, or mandatory training programmes. The amendments are tied to Royal Decree No. (96) of 2024 and update Law No. (18) of 2017. They introduce new sentencing options such as: • Bans on visiting specific websites • Court-ordered checkins with the police • Commitment to psychiatric or specialist care facilities Offenders sentenced to one year or less could also apply to have their punishment converted to one of these alternatives, subject to judicial approval. Earlier this month, the lower house approved the government-drafted amendments following a report by the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee. However, the timing of the upper chamber's review depends on the Eid Al-Fitr holiday and the moon sighting. The revised list of punishments, which already includes community service and reparations, now also features internet restrictions and mandatory reporting to security authorities. The bill outlines that the Ministry of Interior will oversee the enforcement of these penalties, deciding how and where they are implemented. Two new articles in the law emphasize rehabilitation through psychological and health-based care and introduce police-monitored check-ins as an intermediate measure between jail and freedom. Legal committees in both chambers have reviewed the text and raised no objections. These changes build on the original 2017 law, which introduced non-custodial sentences as a form of rehabilitation-focused justice. The amendments reflect lessons learned over the past eight years and aim to provide judges with more sentencing options while addressing offenders' individual circumstances.
Daily Tribune
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MPs Approve Stricter Digital Bans for Offenders
The courts will now have the power to block offenders not only from certain places but also from specific online platforms linked to their crimes. This change is part of amendments in a government-backed bill, approved by MPs, aimed at expanding alternative sentencing. The lawmakers added tighter movement restrictions and two new penalties: mandatory rehabilitation in psychiatric or medical institutions and scheduled reporting to law enforcement. The amendments, which revise multiple articles of the 2017 Alternative Penalties and Measures Law, also shift oversight of alternative sentencing programmes from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Interior. MP Ahmed Al Salloom described the law as 'one of Bahrain's most forward-thinking legal steps,' pointing out that the kingdom led the Gulf in moving towards rehabilitation over prison time. 'After seven years of use, these changes fine-tune it to work better,' he said. The bill, reviewed by the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, passed without objections. Changes The Supreme Judicial Council confirmed Parliament's authority to approve the changes, while the National Institution for Human Rights described them as a shift towards reducing jail terms and improving reintegration. Public Prosecution will work with the Interior Ministry on sentencing requests, with judges making the final decision. Discretion Alternative sentences will generally match the length of the original jail term, though courts retain discretion. Al Salloom said more than 7,000 offenders had already been sentenced under alternative measures since 2017. 'This law has changed lives and will now be even stronger,' he added.
Daily Tribune
08-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Shura Council to Discuss Landmark Tax Agreement with Guernsey
Email : The Shura Council will convene tomorrow, Sunday, for the 21st session of the third legislative term, where several important matters will be reviewed. Among the key items on the agenda is the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and National Security Committee's report on a draft law concerning the ratification of an agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Guernsey. This agreement aims to eliminate double taxation on income taxes and prevent tax evasion. The committee has recommended the approval of the draft law, which is designed to remove double taxation on income and capital taxes, thus reducing the opportunities for non-compliance or tax avoidance. By doing so, the agreement is expected to foster greater economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries, promoting transparency and facilitating the exchange of information between tax authorities. This agreement is part of Bahrain's ongoing efforts to strengthen tax cooperation with international partners. It provides a legislative framework that helps mitigate the risks of double taxation, thereby creating a more stable investment environment. This will encourage businesses and individuals from both Bahrain and Guernsey to invest in each other's markets, boosting capital flows into Bahrain and opening up new investment opportunities. In addition to the Guernsey agreement, the Council will also review another report from the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and National Security Committee concerning the draft law to ratify an agreement between the Government of Bahrain and Hungary. This agreement focuses on promoting and protecting investments and aims to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. The committee has recommended approval of this draft law as well. The agreement seeks to create a favorable environment for increased investments by offering legal protections for investors and encouraging commercial ventures. With its skilled workforce, growing economy, and developed infrastructure, Bahrain is positioning itself to attract high-value investments, which will drive job creation, increase foreign currency reserves, and support sustainable economic growth. The investment protection agreement also promises to open new opportunities for Bahraini investors in Hungary, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors. This aligns with Bahrain's Vision 2030, which seeks to promote economic growth and diversify the economy while avoiding direct financial obligations. Additionally, the Council will review a question directed to the Minister of Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Labor, Ms. Nancy Dina Eli Khaddouri, regarding the monitoring mechanisms implemented by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority. Ms. Khaddouri seeks to ensure employers comply with agreed-upon wages in contracts, and the Minister will respond to this inquiry. Another question will be addressed to the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, presented by Mr. Hisham Hashim Al-Qassab. The inquiry concerns the requirements and documents that companies and institutions must submit to obtain licenses for operating intelligent public transport application services. The Minister is also expected to provide a response. The session promises to be an important one, with significant legislative matters on the agenda aimed at enhancing Bahrain's economic ties with international partners and improving its investment climate.
Daily Tribune
08-02-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Tribune
Proposal to exempt vehicle registration fees faces opposition in Parliament
A proposal to exempt citizens and residents from vehicle registration fees, which range from 15 to 60 Bahraini dinars depending on the type of vehicle, may get shelved by the Council of Representatives. This follows opposition from the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, which raised concerns over the potential negative impact on the state's budget and financial balance programme. MP Ali Al Noaimi, who introduced the proposal, explained that his intention is to alleviate financial burdens on citizens in light of rising living costs and increasing prices of goods and services. He argued that removing registration fees would provide much-needed relief to the public. However, the committee countered by stating that vehicle registration fees are meant to cover a specific service provided to vehicle owners. They highlighted that the registration certificate functions as both an official permit and a validity certificate issued by the General Traffic Directorate, which allows vehicles to operate on the roads for the duration of the validity period, subject to legal conditions. The committee also noted that the fees are tied to the weight and type of the vehicle, as larger vehicles can cause more damage to roads and require more frequent maintenance. The committee further emphasized that the Minister of Interior had already implemented a measure to exempt seniors from half of the fees for renewing their vehicle registration certificates and driving licenses. They also criticized the proposal for being overly broad, lacking specified criteria or standards for exempting individuals from the fee. Before the committee's final decision, the Ministry of Interior also expressed concerns regarding the proposal, underlining that the fees are not intended for profit but to cover the costs of services and road maintenance related to vehicle registration. The Ministry noted that the fee structure is designed to reflect the varying impacts different vehicles have on road conditions and infrastructure. The Council of Representatives is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposal next Tuesday, with its future uncertain amid these objections.
Daily Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Shura seeks harsher penalties for phone thieves
The Shura Council will discuss the matter of imposing harsher penalties for thieves who steal smartphones, laptops, or tablets, following a previous delay in addressing the issue. The Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee of the Shura Council had earlier backed amendments that could lead to prison sentences of up to two years for those who commit these crimes involving personal data. The committee has supported changes to the Penal Code that would treat the theft of mobile devices containing personal or financial information more seriously. The proposed law, linked to Decree No. (7) of 2024, seeks to amend the Penal Code first established under Decree-Law No. (15) of 1976. Under the proposed regulations, stealing a phone, tablet, or laptop would be classified as aggravated theft, carrying a minimum sentence of three months in prison. Minimum sentence If the thief intends to access sensitive data, such as banking records or private photos, the minimum sentence would increase to one year. Additionally, the law would encompass individuals who keep lost or wrongly delivered electronic devices. Depending on the severity of the crime and whether personal data is misused, offenders could face up to two years in prison, a fine of BD500, or both. The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Waqf, and the Ministry of Interior have all expressed their support for the proposed amendments.
