Shura Council to debate Disability Law changes

TDT | Manama

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The Shura Council will debate on Sunday a decree-law that updates the governance and terminology of the committee responsible for disability affairs, after its Services Committee said the amendments meet constitutional and legal requirements and do not affect existing rights or benefits.

The Services Committee said it examined the decree-law following extended discussions among members and the committee’s legal adviser, and after reviewing an opinion from the Shura Council’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, which confirmed its constitutional and legal soundness.

It also said it reviewed the decision of the Council of Representatives and the documents attached to it.

In explaining its view, the committee said the changes are intended to keep the legislation in step with modern rights-based standards, reinforce the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities, and update the legal framework to match national policies and the government programme aimed at empowerment and inclusion. A central amendment changes how the relevant committee is defined in law.

The title ‘Higher Committee’ is removed and replaced with a reference to the committee established under Article 16, with its name, composition and term of membership to be set by a decision issued by the Prime Minister.

The Services Committee said this approach allows future administrative adjustments without repeated amendments to the law.

It added that the updated naming also follows the state’s direction towards using inclusive language that emphasises capability, participation and full inclusion in society, rather than language centred solely on care. The Services Committee said the amendments are limited to organisational and co-ordinating matters, including titles and the committee’s arrangements, and do not alter the substantive provisions of the 2006 law.