Bahrain: Issues Several New Decisions

Mubasher, 11 June 2024: The Bahraini Council has approved the memorandum of the Coordinating Committee regarding the draft regulation of the unified banking account for commercial establishments.

It has endorsed the memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs concerning the government’s response to two proposed laws and three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.

The government has adopted the memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding a draft resolution to designate certain areas in Wadi Al-Bahair as protected natural reserves.

It has also approved the memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a cooperation agreement between the General Directorate of Civil Defense and the American National Fire Protection Association.

Regarding a Cooperation Agreement on the Patent Prosecution Highway between Bahrain’s Directorate of Foreign Trade and Industrial Property and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Council has endorsed the memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs.

For public benefit and urban development, the Council has approved the cooperation agreement from the Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Minister on the expropriation of several properties.

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Bahrain: Legislation Promoting Women’s Rights

The Daily Tribune, 30 May 2024: The Bahrain Head of the services committee of the consultative council has announced that it has significantly advanced women’s rights through a strong legislative framework.

National legislation supporting gender balance and women’s empowerment reflects the leadership’s interest, with support from the President of the Supreme Council for Women.

The Bahraini Constitution and the National Charter affirm equality among all citizens, prohibiting discrimination in rights and duties.

Additionally, amendments to Bahrain Law No. 36/2012 in the private sector have reinforced women’s rights in the workplace, granting them the same entitlements as their male counterparts.

The legislation also addresses the needs of working mothers, providing 60 days of paid maternity leave, two hours of childcare per day until the child reaches six months, and two half-hour care periods until the child’s first birthday.

Additionally, the law prohibits the dismissal or termination of a female worker due to marriage or maternity leave.

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Bahrain: Cabinet Approves Memorandums To Restructure Ministries And Agencies

The Daily Tribune, 28 May 2024: The Bahrain Cabinet has approved several key memorandums, including a Civil Service Council memorandum on restructuring various ministries and agencies.

The aim is to enhance performance and efficiency, and financing programs for governmental projects.

Cooperative agreements were signed with Russia that are expected to boost bilateral cooperation and support the outcomes of the 33rd Arab Summit, particularly regarding an international peace conference and the Palestinian issue.

The Cabinet has reviewed the efforts of the Education Ministry to promote educational process.

Bahrain has renewed its call for the international community, especially members of the United Nations Security Council, to fulfill their responsibilities in enforcing international resolutions and humanitarian laws.

This includes advocating for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the protection of civilians, and facilitating the urgent and safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Cabinet has approved several memorandums, including a Civil Service Council memorandum on restructuring ministries and agencies, and memorandums on financing governmental projects and addressing proposed legislation from the House of Representatives.

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Bahrain: Proposal on Establishing Union of Beneficiaries of Housing Apartments Ministry

Al Watan, 13 May 2024: A Bahraini MP has proposed a law to establish a union for beneficiaries of Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning apartments.

This union would organise services and shared spaces within these housing complexes.

The aim is to ensure effective management and maintenance of the building and its common areas by all beneficiaries.

Establishing the Union of Beneficiaries of Ministry of Housing apartments would facilitate regular maintenance and address any malfunctions. For the full story, click here.

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Bahrain: Adopts Timeshare Bill To Regulate Property Ownership

The Daily Tribune, 3 May 2024: The Council of Representatives have unanimously approved a 36-article draft law, following the recommendation of its Committee on Services.

This law aims to regulate activities related to timeshare properties. A timeshare is like a type of vacation home shared among a group of buyers who each own a portion of it.

Under this arrangement, the property’s cost is divided among the owners, and each owner gets a set period of time to stay there every year.

Timeshares usually consist of smaller living spaces within a larger resort area.

The bill allows for more flexibility in issuing contracts and provides increased versatility in contractual arrangements among stakeholders.

It also establishes legal protections to uphold the rights of all parties involved and clearly outlines their responsibilities.

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Bahrain: Shura Council Approves Law To Curb AI Abuse

The Daily Tribune, 29 April 2024: The Shura Council has ratified a report from the Committee on Legislative and Legal Affairs endorsing a draft law which will regulate AI technology and its uses.

According to the committee, proposed penalties include a maximum fine of BD2,000 for individuals who program, process, or introduce AI in a way that violates individual freedom, invades the sanctity of private life, or undermines societal traditions.

Other penalties will include imprisonment and a fine ranging from BD5,000 to BD2,000 for individuals who design software or technology that promotes division among people.

The penalties will extend to those who manipulate official statements and create malicious fake visual and audio content.

The proposed law also ensures that those harmed by the use of artificial intelligence will have a right to request compensation for the damage they have suffered.

This law holds the owner of the robot or programmed machine responsible for the compensation of any damage caused by AI.

The Artificial Intelligence Unit will be given the authority to impose administrative penalties on licensed violators, ranging from a warning to license withdrawal and progressive administrative fines based on the severity of the violation.

The law also details criminal penalties.

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Bahrain: Compensation for Weather Damage

Alwatan, 18 April 2024: The Rain Damage Evaluation Committee at the Works Ministry has released a form which can be filed for compensation requests for rainwater and sewage damage.

This form relates to issues involved with the Works Ministry or contractors handling road and sewage projects. Information required includes the applicant’s name, address of the damaged house, phone number, date and details of the damage, and the estimated cost to fix the damage.

Applicants must also provide pictures, or video clips verifying the damage, along with repair invoices, property ownership documents, and the owner’s card. In the case of car damage claims, ownership and insurance documents are also required.

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Bahrain: Proposed Healthcare Law Changes

The Daily Tribune, 16 April 2024: The Bahrain’s Shura Council’s Services Committee has discussed a proposal to amend certain provisions of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2015 on private health institutions.

The proposed legislation aims to safeguard the rights of Bahraini doctors to establish private clinics, medical centres, medical complexes, alternative medicine centres or other healthcare facilities. The legislation will also allow them to practice in conjunction with other areas by supporting other medical professional.

Previously, specialist medical institutions could only be established by Bahraini doctors who were licensed to practice medicine or dentistry within Bahrain, with exceptions for rare medical specialties. However, licenses to establish hospitals are now granted to individuals, companies, or foreign medical institutions.

In the proposed law, individuals aiming to establish a health institution, along with their partners, must have a clean criminal record but exceptions are made for those who have undergone rehabilitation or received a pardon from relevant authorities. In addition, the proposal will allow heirs of the licensee to continue operating the institution, provided it is managed by a Bahraini general physician or consultant in line with the facility’s license. These designated professionals would assume responsibility for all technical and administrative aspects of the institution. Heirs are also allowed to retain the institution’s name if it bears the name of the deceased founder.

The proposed law also grants authority to the National Authority for Regulating Health Professions and Services to implement a national accreditation program for health institutions.

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