Meeting No (13), January 16th, 2012 – Second Convening Period – Third Legislative Term

Shura Council held its weekly session this morning under the Chairmanship of H.E. Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh.

In a statement issued today by Shura Council, the Council praised the recent speech of His Majesty on the occasion of referral to Shura and Representatives Councils a number of constitutional amendments, stressing it will draw the next phase of Bahrain's future.

Shura Council commended the assigning of a number of constitutional amendments to the legislative authorities by His Majesty, affirming the speech has drawn a bright profile for the future phase of the Kingdom, stressing the reform and progress approach laid by His Majesty will continue in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people who aim to achieve further development and building a stronger society in line with democratic progress in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The statement added that the constitutional amendments will permit the legislative authority to play its role in a perfect way, affirming that the Shura Council will promote and endorse the reform process in line with the reform project set by His Majesty, urging consolidating the concept of the participation in the process of making the political decision through constitutional and legal techniques.

The statement also stressed that His Majesty's speech supported the values of tolerance and co-existence away from sectarianism, in addition to achieving the national unity to foil the opportunity for those who aim to disturb and tremble security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

At the end of its statement, the Shura Council prayed to God Almighty to protect Bahrain and to perpetuate the grace of security and stability in the Kingdom under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

Later, the Council was notified in regard to the incoming letters from the Chairman of the Council of Representatives and Head of the Executive Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Division H.E. Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Dhahrani regarding activating the economic status and addressing the financial crisis that hit the Kingdom, to be referred to the financial and economic affairs committee.

Also notification was given to the Council in regard to a decree by law no.31 for 2011, amending some provisions in the law no.9 for 2011, approving the general state budget for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, and opening additional credit in that same budget, draft law approving international land transportation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Turkey, to be referred to the Committees concerned.

Then the Council discussed and deferred taking a final opinion concerning the report of the foreign affairs, defense and national security Committee regarding a draft law approving joining Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, associated with the royal decree no.69 of 2011.

The Council also deferred taking a final opinion concerning the report of the foreign affairs, defense and national security Committee regarding a draft law approving maritime transportation agreement for commercial purposes between Bahrain and Turkey, associated with the royal decree no.104 of 2011, and the report of the foreign affairs, defense and national security Committee regarding a draft law approving cooperation agreement in the commercial navigation field between Bahrain and Morocco, associated with the royal decree no.105 of 2011.

In a relate issue, the Council discussed the complimentary report of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee concerning a draft law about consumer protection, associated with the royal decree no.2 of 2009, and a draft law about consumer protection (prepared in light of the bill proposal submitted by the Shura Council), and deferred taking a final decision to the next session.

Finally, the Council also deferred taking a final opinion to the next session regarding the complimentary report of the woman and child affairs committee concerning draft law issuing Child Act (prepared in light of the tow bill proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives).