Meeting No (14), January 23rd, 2012 – Second Convening Period – Third Legislative Term

- The Shura Council held its 14th session this morning under the chairmanship of First Deputy Chairman H.E. Jamal Mohammed Fakhro.

- The Council approved the minutes of meeting of the previous session, before discussing the agenda of the meeting.

The Secretary General of the Shura Council hon. Abdul-Jalil Ibrahim Al-Tareef delivered a statement denouncing acts of violence, sabotage, and security confrontations.  The Council expressed regrets and sorrow over the events taking place in the national grounds of unfortunate incidents that threatens security and stability in the Kingdom, through targeting security forces, blocking roads, burning tires, attacking public and private properties, and country's achievements which is considered overstepping the limits of laws and national principles and beliefs, and a direct infringement to the rights, security and freedom of citizens and residents.

The Shura Council felt the outlaws dangerous practices and acts and implications, stressing the need to comply with the law and order, and not to use religious platforms to call for incitement to violence, vandalism and exposure to the security men entrusted with protecting the country and citizens, and maintain the freedoms and rights , keeping the rule of law, stressing the current stage requires everyone to stand collectively for the safety of the Kingdom and citizens, and to maintain national unity and social fabric, which enjoyed by citizens.

In this regard, d the Shura Council denounce, the exploitation of children putting them in protests and rallies, pointing out that the men and scholars of religion and civil and political associations, and all citizens have a role and responsibility in raising awareness of seriousness of being drawn into violence, terrorism and sabotage, and attacking security personnel, stressing that they should devote their good and fruitful efforts for nation-building and unity of its people, and renounce temptation, urging members of the society to promote a climate of mutual trust, and to devote a culture of respect for the law, and security, and maintain police dignity.

The Shura Council renewed its emphasis, support and sustenance for all steps to promote national unity, security and stability under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and his wise government under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the support and backing of the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Then, the Council notified about the incoming messages from the Council of representatives chairman HE Mr. Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Dhahrani regarding referring a draft law to ratify the Convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning cooperation and mutual assistance in customs issues, to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee on, notifying the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee.

The Council was notified about referring the bill to establish a research center and treatment of genetic blood diseases to the services Committee, notifying the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee.

The Council then took a final opinion regarding the following:

1) A bill approving the accession to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed on a Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, associated with the decree (69) for 2011., Where the vote came to agree referring it to His Majesty the King for ratification.

2) The draft law ratifying the Convention on maritime transport for commercial purposes between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Republic of Turkey, associated with the Royal Decree No. (104) for 2011, and a bill to ratify the Convention for Cooperation in the field of merchant shipping between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Kingdom Morocco, associated with the Royal Decree No. (105) for 2011.

3) In the same context, The Council took a final opinion concerning a draft law on consumer protection, associated with the Royal Decree No. 2 of 2009, and a draft law on consumer protection (prepared in light of the bill proposal submitted by the Shura Council), and referred it to the Council of Representatives to consider the amendments.

4) A draft law on the issuance of the Child Law. (Prepared in light of bill proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives), the Council decided after listening to the views for a re-deliberation, returned the bill to the Women and Child Affairs Committee for further study.

Then the Council discussed the report of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee concerning the Decree by Law No. (30) for 2011, regarding the establishment of a national fund to compensate those affected, and referred to the Government for endorsement by His Majesty.

The Council postponed taking a final decision regarding the following:

The report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee about a draft law to ratify the Convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Czech Republic on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of financial evasion of income taxes, associated with the Royal Decree No. (87) for 2011.

The report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee concerning a draft law to ratify the Convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of Fiscal Evasion in respect of taxes on income, associated with the Royal Decree No. (89 ) for 2011.

At the same framework, the Council approved the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee concerning a draft law to ratify the Convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of Georgia on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in respect of taxes on income and capital associated with the Royal Decree No. (106) for 2011, the final opinion will be taken at the next meeting of the Council.

Then the Council discussed the report of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee concerning a draft law amending some provisions of the Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters issued by a Decree by law No. (14) for 1996 (prepared in light of the bill proposal submitted by the Shura Council). and approved the request to postpone discussion.

The Council then discussed the report of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee concerning a draft law establishing the Zakat House (of Sunni faith) (prepared in light of the bill proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives), which ended up not being approved in principle.