The Shura Council approved during its seventh session this morning (Monday) on a number of draft laws; amending some provisions of the penal law issued via decree by law no. (15) for 1976, associated with the royal decree no. (10) for 2010, "the criminalization of bribery and embezzlement in the private sector" and a draft law concerning adoption of official identity cards issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), associated with the royal decree no. (54) for 2012. The Council began deliberations on a draft law issuance of reform and rehabilitation institutions law associated with the royal decree No. (92) for 2007, after the approval of hon. members not to take into account the bill proposal in regard to the organization of the penal institutions.

The Council held its session under the chairmanship of HE Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh. The Council ratified the minutes of the sixth meeting, before the Secretary General of the Council recited the royal decree no. (81) for 2012, regarding the appointment of Communications Minister, followed by reciting another statement on the international day for disabled, considering this occasion a good opportunity to recall Kingdom's gains and achievements crafted for the disabled people and those with special needs. In this regard the Council stressed commitment to contribute to care and protect people with special needs, and to provide best services to them, in addition to the enactment of further legislation which preserve and protect their rights, considering them an integral part of the community.

The Council expressed thanks and appreciation to the wise leadership and the institutions of civil society, for standing alongside the people with special needs, which confirms the spirit of one family in Bahrain, and maintaining social fabric.

The Council also praised the efforts exerted by hon. member Munira Isa bin-Hindi, the hard work and diligence  in various fields, and the outstanding contributions in servicing people with special needs, confirming that disability is an incentive for challenge, expressing in this aspect thanks and appreciation to all peoples with disability and those with special needs in our dear Kingdom, and around the world as a whole.

Also the Secretary General of the Council recited a statement on the killing of the Saudi diplomat in Yemen, expressing extreme condemnation and denunciation for the killing of the Saudi diplomat Khalid Shbaikan Al-enzi, last Wednesday morning, who was an employee in the military attaché of Saudi Embassy in the Yemeni capital Sana'a, in this regard the Shura Council expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and employees of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, and the family of Saudi diplomat, stressing the importance for the international community to work to renounce violence and counter-terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, pointing out that this criminal incident forms a violation of all international norms and conventions and principles of diplomacy, emphasizing the need to bring perpetrators to justice.

In same context, the Secretary General recited a statement on the occasion of accepting Palestine as an "observer non-member state" at the United Nations. The Shura Council expressed sincere congratulations and blessings to the Palestinian leadership and people, considering this historic event as a historic achievement, and a victory for peace and freedom, and international legitimacy.

Then the Council reviewed the proposal of the Bureau of the Council to establish "Human Rights Committee", where Dr. Aisha Salem Mubarak recommended to chair the Committee, Jameela Ali Salman as deputy chairman of the Committee.

Then the Council was notified of incoming messages from the Chairman of the Council of Representatives Khalifa bin Ahmed Zahrani.

Then the Council took a final approval on the draft law amending some provisions of the Penal law issued by decree by law no. (15) for 1976, associated with the royal decree no. (10) for 2010, "the criminalization of bribery and embezzlement in the private sector". After that the Council discussed the items listed on the agenda, discussing the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee concerning the draft law adoption of official identity cards issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), associated with the royal decree no. (54) for 2012, where the Council approved in principle the recommendation of the Committee.

Then the Council considered the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee concerning the draft law issuance of reform and rehabilitation institutions law associated with the royal decree no. (92) for 2007, then hon. members approved not to take into account the bill proposal concerning the organization of penitentiary establishments.

Finally, the Council reviewed 4 reports of the delegation of Bahrain's inter- Parliamentary Division on participation in the first ordinary session resumed in 2012 for Transitional Arab Parliament, held in Cairo - Egypt, during the period from 13-15 May 2012, participation in the 10th workshop for academics and parliamentarians, held at the Faculty of Roxton Oxford Shire, UK, during the period from July 28 to 29, 2012, in addition to the report of the delegation of the Division on participating in the meetings of the advisory committee to combat HIV, "AIDS", held in Dar el-Salaam - Tanzania, during the period from 9 to 12 September 2012, as well as participating in the delegation of Gulf legislators visiting European Parliament in Brussels - Belgium, during the period from 18 to 20 September 2012.