A sweeping overhaul of Bahrain’s legal framework governing the care, rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities will come under parliamentary scrutiny on Tuesday.
It follows the issuance of a royal decree aimed at modernising disability governance and strengthening inclusion.
His Majesty King Hamad issued Decree-Law (34) of 2025 amending key provisions of Law (74) of 2006, based on a proposal by the Prime Minister and after Cabinet approval. The amendments restructure oversight of disability affairs and update terminology to reflect national and international commitments.
The decree-law establishes a Cabinet-appointed Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities under the Social Development Ministry. The panel will be chaired by the minister, with members drawn from government bodies at director level or above, alongside representatives of civil society. Members will elect a vice-chair at their first meeting, while experts may be invited in an advisory, non-voting capacity.
Parliament’s services committee chairman MP Mamdooh Al Saleh said the decree-law reflects Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing the dignity, rights and active participation of persons with disabilities.
“It modernises the legal framework and brings it in line with contemporary concepts and national priorities,” he added.
Mr Al Saleh explained that the committee reviewed the decree-law following its referral to Parliament, noting that it aims to unify terminology across legislation and organisational structures to prevent institutional overlap or ambiguity.
“The redefinition of the committee responsible for disability affairs is not merely administrative,” he said. “It reinforces a positive national approach that recognises the abilities and contributions of persons with disabilities, rather than viewing them through a purely welfare lens.”
Under the amendments, references to the “Diwan” are replaced with “Authority,” and “Supreme Committee” is replaced with “Committee” throughout the law, while the Civil Service Bureau is renamed the Civil Service Commission, ensuring legislative consistency.
Both the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission and the Social Development Ministry supported the urgency of issuing the decree-law, citing Bahrain’s obligations under the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the need to align domestic laws with the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The ministry also confirmed that the formal naming of the committee will be issued through a decision by the Prime Minister, and that the national disability strategy for 2023-2027 is currently under review and development, with an updated version to be submitted once officially adopted.
The decree-law, which comes into force the day after publication in the Official Gazette, will be debated during Tuesday’s parliamentary session, where MPs are expected to examine its provisions and broader impact on disability policy.
“This legislation lays the groundwork for a more inclusive and co-ordinated system,” Mr Al Saleh said. “The focus now is on effective implementation that translates legal reform into tangible outcomes for citizens.”
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