Children born to Bahraini mothers married to foreigners are eligible for free education and healthcare even while their nationality documents are under process, affirmed a top government official.
Supreme Council for Women (SCW) assistant secretary general Shaikha Deena bint Rashid Al Khalifa said such children ‘are entitled to all rights from day one’, irrespective of their mother applying for their nationality or otherwise.
The GDN has previously raised the plight of children whose mothers are Bahraini but fathers are not. Many of them had claimed that they were denied equal access to healthcare, education and social welfare schemes while requiring a visa to live here as adults.
Shaikha Deena said Bahrain has always been a pioneer in promoting women’s rights and that the country has taken measures to ensure women can pass on their nationality to their children.
“There is now a system in place where Bahraini women can apply for the nationality of their children born from expatriate fathers,” said Shaikha Deena.
“A joint process exists in partnership between the SCW, the Interior Ministry and the Royal Court – and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“As per the law, children of Bahraini women married to non-Bahrainis have the right to free education and healthcare services. They are also exempt from nationality and residency fees and these benefits will continue while their documents are being processed.”
Shaikha Deena was speaking at a virtual forum hosted by the International Peace Institute of the Middle East and North Africa (IPI-Mena) in Bahrain as part of International Women’s Day.
She explained that over the last 20 years, thousands of Bahraini women were allowed to pass on their nationality to their children.
“The much debated issue on nationality law is of priority to the SCW,” Shaikha Deena said.
“The government has actually put forth a recommendation to Parliament on an amendment to the law and the issue is being looked at.
“We will continue to work with the legislative authority as well as the government in this regard as stability of families is important.”
The GDN reported last year that MPs unanimously voted in favour of amendments to the 1965 Foreigners (Migration and Residency) Law that would give long-term residency to children of Bahraini mothers married to foreigners living in Bahrain, on criteria to be determined by the Interior Minister.
Shaikha Deena was responding to US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Maggie Nardi who said the kingdom could shine in the region by showcasing its advancements in women’s rights, especially with regard to nationality.
“We welcome the recent decision to allow Bahraini women to pass residency rights to their foreign spouses and children – a very positive progress and a beacon of hope for further expansion of women’s rights,” said Ms Nardi.
“It is an issue not just in Bahrain, but also regionally – this could be yet another area where Bahrain can show regional leadership by taking these positive steps forward.”
The GDN had highlighted the issue through a campaign #MakeADifference in October 2017, seeking a change in the law, which would allow Bahraini women to pass on their nationality to their children, irrespective of their husband’s nationality.
It invited people to sign a petition calling for the National Assembly to approve the amendment.
The campaign was backed by more than 5,000 people and various groups including Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society, Bahrain Women’s Union, Bahrain Young Ladies Association, Citizens for Bahrain and Shamsaha (then Women’s Crisis Care International).
The petition on change.org has till date gathered close to 13,000 signatures.
raji@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))