Tougher Penalties Considered For Harassment In Bahrain

A proposed law is set to potentially bring tougher consequences for indecent acts, including bothersome cat-calling and online harassment. This new bill aims to increase penalties significantly, especially when a woman is the target, and explicitly includes harassment via messaging apps like WhatsApp.

New Rules Proposed For Indecency

The bill currently before Parliament suggests harsher jail terms and increased fines for acts considered indecent, expanding the scope of this offense. Notably, the proposed measure would double the penalties if a woman is involved, and it specifically addresses harassment conducted through online messaging applications.

Reasons Behind The Change

Those who support the bill argue that modern technology, such as smartphones and social media, has unfortunately made it simpler for indecent behavior to spread widely. They strongly believe that introducing sharper and more severe sentences is essential to effectively deter such actions from occurring.

Following Established Principles And Examples

Advocates for the bill referred to two key articles within the Constitution during their arguments, one focusing on the state’s duty to protect moral values and another confirming that punishments must be legally established. They also highlighted that the United Arab Emirates had previously adopted similar measures, implementing strict penalties for this type of offense through a law passed in 2022.

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