MPs Seek Three-Year Travel Ban on Debtors

TDT | Manama 

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Five MPs have proposed allowing travel bans on debtors to be imposed for up to three years, arguing the longer period is needed to prevent some individuals from leaving Bahrain to avoid paying outstanding debts.

The proposal, submitted by Khalid Buanaq, Ahmed Al Salloom, Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Zainab AbdulAmeer and Mahmood Fardan, seeks to amend Article 40 of Bahrain’s law on the enforcement of civil and commercial rulings.

Under the draft, an execution court judge could impose a travel ban of up to three months at a time, renewable multiple times, reaching a maximum total of three years. The measure would apply in cases where there are concerns a debtor may flee and where available assets do not cover the debt.

The proposal allows the ban to remain in place while enforcement procedures continue and can be challenged before the courts within set legal deadlines. It would also not override deportation orders or residency termination decisions for foreigners.

The MPs said the change intends to strengthen debt recovery mechanisms and ensure courts have sufficient time to complete enforcement procedures in large cases.