Ombudswoman commends royal pardon, highlights Bahrain’s commitment to inmate rehabilitation

Manama, Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman and Chairperson of the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), hailed the Royal Decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, pardoning 457 inmates, in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's Accession. She emphasised that this pardon is part of a series of royal decrees issued in recent months, aligning with Bahrain's comprehensive development process that prioritises respect for human rights principles, particularly in the treatment of inmates. The royal pardon aims to promote social cohesion and ensure the well-being of inmates and their families, providing them with an opportunity to reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens contributing to the Kingdom's progress and prosperity, the Ombudswoman added. She also commended the efforts of the relevant entities, including the Ministry of Interior, the judiciary, and independent oversight bodies, for their exemplary work in settin g a leading standard for inmate treatment, exceeding international standards with a primary focus on humanitarian principles in rehabilitation and reform strategies. Source: Bahrain News Agency