A Human Rights Commission (HRC) report says the Dar Al-Mulahadha juvenile correction home in Jeddah provides suitable conditions for its inmates and refutes suggestions that they are not treated properly. The observations, which come in response to a highly critical report from the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), describe the center as “suitable for its inmates” in terms of meals and refreshments, educational facilities, religious observance and other activities. The HRC says the juveniles are “not being treated like criminals,” but criticizes the lack of proper investigation and the lengthy delays before referring juveniles to the center. While most cases of the center's inmates are taken up by the investigation unit at the Commission for Investigation and Prosecution and then referred to the judge for juvenile cases at the District Court, the report criticizes the effect that extensive sittings and long periods between hearings have in more serious cases that go to the General Court. Some cases take as long as a year, the report says, during which time the accused remain interned at the correction center. The HRC report follows a previous one from the NSHR on Dar Al-Mulahadha juvenile correction home which cited many failings, from poor facilities and hygiene, to restrictions on access to lawyers and up-to-date information on inmates' legal proceedings. Following his recent stinging attack on that initial NSHR report, Ali Bin Sulaiman Al-Hinaki, Director General of Social Affairs in Makkah Region, has added to his comments by describing the report as being “full of fabrications”, and stating that the visit to the center by NSHR supervisor in Makkah Hussein Al-Shareef was an attempt to “incite the inmates.” “We can't rule out a rebellion or riots due to his (Al-Shareef) continued interaction with the juveniles at the home and others. Those in charge have to protect the home and be cautious,” Al-Hinaki said. “There is a difference between spreading the culture of human rights in caring for juvenile delinquents and simple, weak orphans,” he continued. “Beating is not an approved punishment at the correction center, but a deterrent according to ministry regulations following approval from the judge for juvenile cases.” Al-Hinaki went on to warn against leniency with juvenile criminals, saying that “spoiling” them would have undesirable consequences. “Since Al-Shareef's visit there have been signs of rebellion among the inmates, some of whom have threatened to file complaints with the NSHR,” he said.
