(BNA) – The government is strongly resolved to consolidate the kingdom’s security and stability, the basic pillars of national development, through upgrading security bodies so as to enable them to carry out their national duties according to legal norms, and in compliance with the kingdom’s policies of respecting human rights, the Cabinet has asserted.
During its regular weekly meeting, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Cabinet praised the security bodies’ preparedness and continuous efforts to upgrade the competencies of their affiliates, hailing the advanced scientific level of the graduates of the 4th batch of the Royal Academy of Police, whose graduation ceremony was held under the auspices of HRH Premier.
The Cabinet also congratulated the National Guard affiliates, led by National Guard Commander Lieutenant-General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, marking the 15th Anniversary of the National Guard, lauding the National Guard’s preparedness and vital role in protecting the kingdom and safeguarding its landmark achievements, attained during the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Then, HRH Premier instructed the Industry and Commerce Ministry to postpone its decision to increase registration fees at the Commercial registrar from January 1 to April 1, 2012, in line with the government’s continuous efforts to alleviate the burden on traders and investors.
HRH Premier also directed the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to help small traders, take their situation into account and be more lenient with them in order to enable them to cope with the latest economic developments.
The Cabinet also endorsed a plan to increase the salaries of Bahraini private sector employees paid less than BD 250, in line with the government’s incessant keenness to improve the citizens’ living standards, and instructed the Labour Minister to take the necessary steps in order to implement the project.
21000 workers, affiliated with the General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI), will benefit from the BD 5,35 million scheme.
HRH Premier also instructed all ministries and government bodies to join ranks in order to attract more regional and global functions and festivals into the Kingdom and set up the relevant establishments and facilities, hailing the selection of Manama as Capital of Arab Culture for the 2012.
In this regard, the Cabinet called upon all ministries to support the Culture Ministry in order to ensure the success of such a festival which will highlight and promote the kingdom’s rich history and heritage.
Then, the Cabinet agreed to refer a draft law on the amendment of the 2002 Constitution to the Legislative Branch, in line with HM King Hamad’s desire to translate the popular expressed during the National Consensus Dialogue into the ground, and the kingdom’s keenness to develop its political system according to international democratic standards.
The move aims mainly to re-organise the Executive-Legislative relationship so as to achieve more balance between them, represent the popular will in the government’s work plan, enhance the role of the legislature, grant the Representatives Council more powers, regulate the quizzing of ministers and determine the conditions of nomination for the Parliament.
The Cabinet also referred to the Ministerial Committee on Legal Affairs a draft law amending Law 26 for the year 2005 regarding political associations, in line with the government’s commitment to implement the National Consensus Dialogue visions regarding prohibiting political societies from taking part in any economically-harming activities or discussing sectarian issues.
The Cabinet also referred to the same committee another draft law amending some provisions of Decree-Law 3 for 1982 on security officers, in line with the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) urging the Attorney General to investigate into alleged cases of torture and mistreatment.
Under the amendment, cases of torture and mistreatment will be under the jurisdiction of civil courts and the Pubic Prosecution, which will safeguard individuals subjected to such practices.
The Ministerial Committee on Legal Affairs will also have to examine the amendments proposed to Decree-Law 46/2002 aiming to implement BICI recommendations regarding the need to compensate any person who has suffered cruel or inhuman treatment.
Then, the Cabinet endorsed and referred to the parliament a draft law amending some provisions of law 18/2006 in order to enable Bahraini ladies married to foreigners and their children to benefit from social insurance, as required by the National Consensus Dialogue, requesting the concerned constitutional sides to do what is necessary.
The Cabinet also approved and referred to the legislative branch a draft law amending some provisions of Decree Law 18/1973 on Public Gatherings, Marches and Rallies in order to implement the National Consensus Dialogue vision on prohibiting the exploitation of children in political gatherings, marches and demonstrations.
The Cabinet also agreed to make cultural and administrative associations under the jurisdiction of the Culture Ministry and requested the concerned sides to issues the necessary laws.
The Cabinet also agreed on the conditions of appointing government representatives at government companies and departments so as to ensure equal opportunities for all and promote transparency.
The Interior Minister’s memo on the establishing a GCC Police body, aiming to enhance intra-GCC coordination and complementarity regarding combating crimes, terrorism and member states’ security, was also discussed.
Ways of spurring the Bahrain Bourse were also discussed during the meeting.
WHQ