MPs to debate new rules for Bahrain disability committee

TDT | Manama

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MPs will debate on Tuesday Decree-Law No. 34 of 2025, which amends parts of the 2006 statute on disability care, rehabilitation and employment and introduces new provisions for the state committee overseeing disability affairs.

The decree-law updates Bahrain’s legal framework to align with modern rights language, support the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities, and promote their full participation in public life. The Services Committee has recommended backing the measure.

The reforms recast the organisational structure of the committee and standardise terms across the law. Under the revised rules, the committee will be established by a Prime Ministerial decision, attached to the Ministry of Social Development, with its name, composition and term of membership defined by that decision. The minister will chair the committee, which will include senior government officials and private-sector representatives. Members may invite experts to advise without voting rights. Internal rules will govern procedures, meetings and decision-making.

The decree-law also replaces the term “Supreme Committee” with “Committee” and updates references to the civil service in Arabic from “Diwan” to “Jihaz,” while retaining “Bureau” in English.

The Legislative and Legal Opinion Commission said the updates align with national disability policy and Bahrain’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The national strategy for 2023–2027 is being revised and will be shared with MPs once finalised. The decree-law was issued on 19 August 2025 and takes effect the day after publication in the Mamdouh Al Saleh, Chairman of Parliament’s Services Committee Official Gazette.