Tougher punishments could be on the way for those endangering the lives of children or mentally-disabled people in Bahrain.

The Shura Council yesterday initially approved a proposed amendment to the Penal Code, which states that people who abuse children below seven years of age or the mentally-disabled will be jailed between three months and three years or fined BD100 ($262), or both, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

But, if the offence happens in a deserted place, nursery or kindergarten then the jail term would be no less than a year.

The current punishment is no less than 10 days and up to three months in jail.

"There are several abuse cases being committed in Bahrain and due to weak punishments, it is ongoing," said council member Nancy Khadouri, who proposed the amendment.

"Abuse has a long-term effect on the victim and it is unfair to have perpetrators just get minor punishments, while what they have done is dangerous and constitutes a major crime."

The amendment will now be studied by the council's foreign affairs, defence and national security committee, which will turn it solid.

There are a number of cases currently being looked at in Bahrain's courts in which children have been abused at nurseries and kindergartens. - TradeArabia News Service