Published: 15 November 2006
BAHRAIN has been criticised in a report for failing to introduce a written personal status law to protect women, despite over 20 years of debate over the issue.
The paper, which was presented at the AWO conference yesterday, said that the first organised effort to introduce the law was launched in 1982.
Bahrain University continuous legal education programme director Dr Mohammed Al Masri said that this unofficial committee was followed by numerous efforts by various society figures to help launch such a law.
“These included efforts by both Sunni and Shi’ite clergymen and resulted in the Justice Ministry setting up its own committee, consisting of lawyers and Sharia judges,” said Dr Al Masri.
Published: 15 November 2006
BAHRAIN has been criticised in a report for failing to introduce a written personal status law to protect women, despite over 20 years of debate over the issue.
The paper, which was presented at the AWO conference yesterday, said that the first organised effort to introduce the law was launched in 1982.
Bahrain University continuous legal education programme director Dr Mohammed Al Masri said that this unofficial committee was followed by numerous efforts by various society figures to help launch such a law.
“These included efforts by both Sunni and Shi’ite clergymen and resulted in the Justice Ministry setting up its own committee, consisting of lawyers and Sharia judges,” said Dr Al Masri.
However, several atte-mpts to persuade the public about the need for such a law failed, including a 2005 campaign by the Supreme Council for Women.
Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, is among the few places where this area is unlegislated, he said.
Unfair
Critics argue that the current system gives too much scope to Sharia judges to offer widely different interpretations.
They say that this allows them to issue judgments that are unfair to women in cases involving child custody, divorce and inheritance.
A personal status law would be written down in more specific terms.
The paper, which included analysis of similar issues in other Arab countries, was presented at a conference on Women and Legislation.
Dr Al Masri said that attitudes towards the law could be changed over time through more conferences and workshops.
“There needs to be dialogue about this subject between the government and civil society,” he said.
“Transparent and productive discussions can help to end fears that people may have regarding the issue.” A single law should be issued which respects the differences that exist between Islamic sects, said Dr Al Masri.
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