Bahrain Mirror: The King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ratified the unified Family Law (Personal Status Law) on Wednesday (July 19, 2017), despite being rejected by the Shiite Majority in the country.

Four senior clerics in Bahrain reiterated their previous position by rejecting the ratification of the law without constitutional guarantees for amendment mechanisms and without presenting it to Shiite religious authorities.

During his meeting with the Parliament Speaker and head of the Shura Council, the King said the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, which he appointed, was established to ensure that the Shariah law provisions are being implemented.

The King also ratified the Penalties and Alternatives Measures law and law 20 of 2017 endorsing the state general budget for the fiscal years 2017-2018, as well as law 21 of 2017 on amending some provisions of the decree-law 15 of 1977 on the issuance of development bonds, following their endorsement by the Shura Council and Council of Representatives.

Hamad bin Isa further issued Royal Order 40/2017 on adjourning the third session of the fourth legislative term of the Shura and Representatives councils as of Thursday, July 20, 2017.

Arabic Version