Bahrainis wishing to marry foreigners could be forced to get permission from local residency authorities.
The proposal, presented yesterday by five MPs, is spearheaded by Hamad Al Doy.
If approved, it would have Bahrainis approaching a new directorate that will be set up at the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs.
According to MP Al Doy, the move aims to address social, legal, and cultural challenges that may arise from cross-cultural marriages.
“We are not against Bahrainis marrying foreigners, but we must ensure that these marriages align with our cultural, legal and national security interests,” he said.
“By introducing a system of pre-marriage approval, we aim to protect the rights of all parties involved and avoid potential complications.”
Mr Al Doy highlighted cases where ‘unregulated’ marriages between locals and their expatriate sweethearts led to legal disputes, issues over children’s nationality, and difficulties integrating into Bahraini society.
“This is not about discrimination but about safeguarding societal harmony and ensuring that both Bahraini citizens and foreign spouses are well-informed and prepared for the responsibilities of marriage,” he added.
The proposed directorate under the NPRA, as stated in the proposal’s attachments, would be tasked with accessing applications for cross-national marriages. The process would involve reviewing the legal, financial and social backgrounds of both parties to ‘ensure their compatibility and compliance with Bahraini laws’.
“This proposal could streamline marriage procedures and address concerns such as fraud, exploitation and the potential legal complications often associated with international marriages,” said Mr Al Doy.
“It is a proactive step toward ensuring transparency and protecting citizens,” he explained. “There have been cases where Bahrainis have been exploited in marriages with foreigners.
“A pre-marriage approval process could help screen for genuine intentions.”
The proposal submitted yesterday to Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam will be now reviewed by the foreign affairs, defence and national security committee.
Relevant officials from the Ministries of Interior, and Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, as well as Health, alongside human rights groups and societies, in addition to other concerned parties, will be consulted to share their views.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
Top stories for today:
Urgent call to clear drains
Bill on conditional expat recruitment is rejected
Traffic advisory
&uuid=(email))