Bahrain is pulling the brakes on hardline punishment for young offenders, steering its juvenile justice system toward a more rehabilitative path. In a unanimous vote, the Shura Council gave the green light to sweeping amendments to the 2021 Juvenile Justice and Protection Law—changes that had already sailed through Parliament.
Under the new rules, if a minor is convicted of an offense that would ordinarily carry a death sentence, they’ll face temporary imprisonment instead, or at most a year in detention. Crimes once punishable by life behind bars or long-term confinement will now come with lighter alternatives.
The shift gives judges wider latitude—especially when dealing with misdemeanors. Mandatory minimums can now be swapped for less punitive options, including community-based penalties. What’s more, every six months, the courts will reassess a child’s rehabilitation journey, opening the door to sentence modification or early termination based on demonstrated progress.
Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda painted the move as a national commitment to real change. “We’re moving away from one-size-fits-all penalties,” he said, “and toward solutions that actually tackle what’s driving kids into trouble in the first place.”
Instead of locking children away, courts will be able to impose probation—within the child’s home and community. This judicial supervision, led by the Child Protection Centre (CPC) and the Interior Ministry, will last no longer than three years.
New tools in the judicial toolbox include restricting a child’s access to certain locations or websites for a limited time each day, provided these limits don’t disrupt schooling, religious practice, or work. Judges can also order home confinement under parental supervision, with regular reports required to confirm compliance.
Shura Council’s woman and child committee chairwoman Leena Qassim said the amendments are designed to strike a “crucial balance between accountability and rehabilitation.” She emphasized the importance of giving children a path back to society with the right support systems in place.
Dr. Fatima Al Kooheji, the committee’s rapporteur, noted that the role of the CPC has been elevated under the new law. The Centre can now prepare judicial assessments and recommend sentencing changes at any stage—without waiting for fixed review dates.
Even in serious felony cases, judges may opt for rehabilitative measures if the circumstances justify it. Alternative penalties on the menu now include psychological treatment, bans from specific websites, and regular check-ins with law enforcement agencies.
At the heart of the reform is a clear goal: fewer children behind bars, stronger family ties, and better reintegration outcomes. The Interior Ministry takes the lead on enforcing the new framework, working in tandem with the Supreme Judicial Council and Public Prosecution.
The revised law now awaits ratification by His Majesty King Hamad—marking the final step in Bahrain’s pivot from punitive justice to purposeful reform for its youth.
