Equal before law

Manama : Bahraini women will soon be allowed to enjoy full financial rights on par with their male counterparts, according to a draft decree-law endorsed by the Cabinet yesterday.

Under the amendment, the financial statements of the spouses will be separated based on the provisions of the Islamic Sharia. 

The weekly Cabinet session, chaired by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday, also endorsed two other draft decree-laws.

These were submitted by the Executive Committee, chaired by Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and presented by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.

Another draft decree-law is on amending the Civil and Commercial Procedures Act, allowing the competent court to look into the complaint without delays. The new procedure is a significant addition in the legal system that meets the requirements of economic and investment activities.

The third one aims to amend a law on the establishment of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) by granting it more powers to achieve its objectives. This amendment embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to protect human rights.

The Cabinet also approved a draft decree on cancelling the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), and granting all its terms of reference to the Ministry of Information Affairs. It also endorsed a draft-decree on re-structuring the Ministry to include an Undersecretary, three Assistant Undersecretaries and nine directorates.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of the events that pave the way for more cooperation in the oil and gas industry and contribute to upgrading the efficiency of the sector, said a post session statement by the Secretary General of the Cabinet Dr. Yasser bin Essa Al Naser.

In this regard, the session lauded the outcomes of the 10th Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Petrotech 2016).

Major decisions

PM congratulated HM King on being granted the Lifetime Achievement Award by US C3 Summit and the Samuel Zwemer award by the Reformed Church in the US

Attack on an UAE aid ship at Bab Al-Mandab Strait en route to Yemen condemned

Continuous strikes on the Syrian city of Aleppo, and the targeting of hospitals and gatherings of civilians deplored

Cabinet warned of laws that harm relations among countries as they are inconsistent with the sovereign immunity of states and violate the principles of international law

Bahrain’s ratification of the by-law of the Arab Court for Human Rights approved

Measures taken following the expiry of the preferential tariffs granted to garment and textile industry under the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) notified

Available options to avail of FTA for all sectors highlighted

Proposals on security surveillance cameras, combating crimes, hazard allowance in some professions, solutions to rain problems and Naim Youth Centre discussed