Tougher punishments for people, who physically or sexually abuse children or the mentally ill, were approved by the Bahrain’s Shura Council yesterday (May 10).

Jail sentences of three months and fines of BD100 ($265) could be introduced for those who publicly harm children aged under seven or the mentally disabled, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Abuse that happens in private places, such as in nursery toilets or after-school detention, could carry a jail sentence of no less than a year.

The offences currently carry a custodial sentence of 10 days to three months.

“Abuse has a long-term effect on the victim and it is unfair to have perpetrators just get minor punishments,” said council foreign affairs, defence and national security chairwoman Sawsan Taqawi.

“What they do is dangerous and constitutes a major crime.”

The amendment, originally proposed by council member Nancy Khadouri and approved by parliament last month, will now be ratified by His Majesty King Hamad after receiving the green light from the Cabinet earlier this year.

Meanwhile, three bills have been referred to the King for ratification after being approved by the Shura Council yesterday and parliament last month.

They will result in Bahrain signing the International Convention for Safe Containers, an aviation agreement with Australia and an aviation agreement with Tajikistan. - TradeArabia News Service