Royal keenness on issuing unified family law welcomed

Manama, Apr. 24 (BNA): The National Institution for Human Rights has welcomed Royal Order 24/2017 on the formation of a legislative committee that also comprises members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and judges to review the draft family law. The committee task is to consider the draft family law and its provisions and to ensure their conformity with Islamic Sharia. It will submit a report to the Royal Court on its findings and recommendations with regard to the draft referred to it. The NIHR affirmed in a statement that the formation of the committee is a key safeguard to protect family entity. It added that the absence of a unified family code contributes to increase the suffering of families, as is the case with the absence of a legislative system followed by the Jafaari community compared to the application of the family law within the Sunni community and which has contributed to solving many problems. The NIHR said it would closely monitor the work of the committee, expressing its readiness to provide it with support to develop a unified law that serves both communities and protects the family structure under Islamic law and relevant international agreements.