Manama: Bahrain is signing contracts with several ‘highly qualified and outstanding experts and specialists' from the US and the UK to assist in developing police work, the interior minister has said.
"The ministry will also cooperate with international organisations to develop training curricula and the preparation of the ministry's staff," Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said. "It will also seek assistance from human rights international centres, in addition to the International Red Cross, to benefit from their expertise in developing police work in arrest and detention procedures, dealing with protesters and boosting a sense of accountability according to human rights principles," the minister said.
The new moves by the ministry will result in a draft code of conduct for police work including details on how police officers should perform duties according to international and local legal criteria and rules.
"These rules should be followed by all police [officers] assigned to enforce the law," he said.
Major steps to be implemented under the reforms include the re-organisation of some agencies of the ministry and the adaptation of necessary legal and administrative procedures to link the legal system of the ministry directly to the minister.
Amending powers
The system will also be developed, modernised and provided with competent staff. Specialised and dedicated judges will also be hired to ensure neutrality and independence to perform duties and maintain justice by expediting rulings with commitment to judicial rules, the minister said.
The ministry is also seeking a draft law to amend the power of the courts at the ministry to confine their responsibilities to disciplinary offences.
Legislation to guarantee visual and audio recording for questioning detainees is also being drafted, he said.
Last week, a report issued by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) highlighted shortcomings within government and recommended reforms.
