Manama: Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, a member of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges in enforcing child custody and visitation rulings. The event was organized by the Public Prosecution in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the roundtable was attended by prominent figures including Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, and Minister of Social Development Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, along with judges and public prosecutors. The discussion focused on examining both legal and practical challenges associated with implementing custody and visitation rulings, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding the best interests of the child.
During the session, Al Zayed reviewed Bahrain's legal framework governing child custody and visitation. She highlighted the Family Law and its mechanisms for enforcing court rulings on these matters. Al Zayed mentioned that facilitating court-ordered visitation through social centers was one of SCW's early initiatives, initiated under the directives of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and SCW President, in collaboration with relevant authorities.
She also discussed the significance of the Child Law, the Restorative Justice for Children and Protection from Abuse Law, and the Penal Code. Al Zayed stressed that Bahrain's legislation prioritizes the child's best interests in decisions related to family disputes and the enforcement of rulings involving children.
Al Zayed underscored the importance of strengthening public awareness about the necessity of complying with court rulings and the potential legal, social, and psychological consequences of obstructing their enforcement. She called for a review of supporting legislation related to the Family Law, including the General Procedures before Sharia Courts Law, and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve coordination among relevant authorities. This would aim to provide a supportive environment for implementing custody and visitation rulings and address the operational challenges faced by competent bodies.