TAIF: The Ministry of Labor and Social Development is studying a new initiative to develop application of penalties against juvenile delinquents through shelters and care houses, rather than with prison terms.
Sources expect that the program will help develop a means of dealing with juvenile delinquents and better guide them to the right path by applying alternate penalties. The new comprehensive system is expected to be released in the coming months after its study by the Shoura Council.
The new system would include 24 articles that clarify the rights and responsibilities of juveniles. A juvenile is defined as anyone between the age of seven and 18.
The regulations would also include reporting procedures, such as ensuring listening to youth witnesses is in an appropriate location, and in the presence of a parent or guardian. Other regulations include maintaining consideration of the juvenile at the time of arrest, informing guardians or parents immediately of the incident, or ensuring the arrest is in the presence of a parent or guardian.
No arrest procedures are accepted if the guardian or parent is not informed of the causes. Male juveniles are to be escorted with their guardian or parent and a ministry representative to the nearest province or city where he is to be sheltered. Girls should be escorted by a mahram or guardian.
The regulations also stipulate conditions for investigators to extend the holding period beyond five days, 15 days, or longer if necessary for investigative purposes. Approval from the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution is required and the total period cannot be more than 60 days. The regulations also stipulate means for conducting investigations appropriately.
Other rules stipulate that juveniles are not permitted to visit specific places for a period of not more than three years, cannot work in certain areas, are under social monitoring for two years, and must meet certain assignments for three years.
Juveniles who are 12 or older at the time or arrest are subject to penalties as per the regulations, but not penalties that include jail time. Penalties will include alternative rules such as staying in a shelter for no longer than half the period of the maximum penalty for the offense. If the offense is punishable by death, the juvenile is to remain in the shelter for no longer than 15 years. If the juvenile is attains the age of 18 before completion of the sentence, he or she is transferred to prison to carry out the sentencing.
Sources expect that the program will help develop a means of dealing with juvenile delinquents and better guide them to the right path by applying alternate penalties. The new comprehensive system is expected to be released in the coming months after its study by the Shoura Council.
The new system would include 24 articles that clarify the rights and responsibilities of juveniles. A juvenile is defined as anyone between the age of seven and 18.
The regulations would also include reporting procedures, such as ensuring listening to youth witnesses is in an appropriate location, and in the presence of a parent or guardian. Other regulations include maintaining consideration of the juvenile at the time of arrest, informing guardians or parents immediately of the incident, or ensuring the arrest is in the presence of a parent or guardian.
No arrest procedures are accepted if the guardian or parent is not informed of the causes. Male juveniles are to be escorted with their guardian or parent and a ministry representative to the nearest province or city where he is to be sheltered. Girls should be escorted by a mahram or guardian.
The regulations also stipulate conditions for investigators to extend the holding period beyond five days, 15 days, or longer if necessary for investigative purposes. Approval from the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution is required and the total period cannot be more than 60 days. The regulations also stipulate means for conducting investigations appropriately.
Other rules stipulate that juveniles are not permitted to visit specific places for a period of not more than three years, cannot work in certain areas, are under social monitoring for two years, and must meet certain assignments for three years.
Juveniles who are 12 or older at the time or arrest are subject to penalties as per the regulations, but not penalties that include jail time. Penalties will include alternative rules such as staying in a shelter for no longer than half the period of the maximum penalty for the offense. If the offense is punishable by death, the juvenile is to remain in the shelter for no longer than 15 years. If the juvenile is attains the age of 18 before completion of the sentence, he or she is transferred to prison to carry out the sentencing.
