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Bahrain amends constitution to allow military trials of civilians

By Mohammad Al-Enezi

MANAMA, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- Bahraini Council of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, approved Tuesday a constitution amendment to allow military trials of civilians involved in terror incidents or attacks on security or military personnel or facilities.
This amendment is important for countering attacks on military and security personnel and facilities in the Kingdom, Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Abdulhaleem Murad told KUNA.
He clarified that the security and military personnel have been facing growing attacks from the terror groups which prompted the lawmakers to take an action to protect Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry and National Guard personnel in particular and all Bahraini people in general.
He added that martial courts in the Kingdom provide guarantees for fair trials similar to that given by civilian courts.
Moreover, the military courts have been tried after 2011 events, Murad said.
He pointed out that many regional countries such as Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have been tapping military courts and no human rights or trial fairness guarantees violations were recorded there.
He stated that a new law would be passed to detail all guarantees for all parties.
The ultimate goal of the constitutional amendment and the law is achieving the national interest and retaining security in the Kingdom, he concluded. (end) mge.ibi