Latest news with #MarrakeshAgreement
Daily Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Shura committee reviews 17 draft laws
Seventeen draft laws, including changes to Bahrain's Penal Code and a set of international agreements, have been reviewed by the Shura Council's Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee. Chaired by Dr Ali bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi, the committee held 14 meetings during the third session of the sixth legislative term, covering legislation on criminal law, residency rules, traffic offences, and a range of foreign treaties. Three proposed amendments to the Penal Code were examined, including one to add a final paragraph to Article 107. The proposal came from five members: Nancy Dina Ely Khudori, Khalid Hussain Al Maskati, Redha Abdulla Faraj, Dr Abdulaziz Hassan Abul, and Dr Bassam Ismail Al Binmohammed. Other drafts sought to amend the 2017 law on alternative punishments, revise Article 56 of the 2014 Traffic Law, and add a new clause—Article 7 repeated—to the 1965 immigration and residency law. Each of these stemmed from proposals passed by the elected chamber. International agreements International agreements featured heavily on the agenda. The committee reviewed treaties with the UAE, Oman, South Korea, Kuwait, Hungary, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. These covered tax arrangements, investment rules, and maritime cooperation. Bahrain will also join the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. One item concerned the amended World Trade Organization protocol on fisheries support, which has now been added to the Marrakesh Agreement's annex. The committee gave it the green light. Still under review is a draft law to ratify the Makkah Agreement on anti-corruption cooperation among member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It was referred to the committee after His Majesty the King ordered the close of the session.
Daily Tribune
21-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
No funds for overfishing
A law bringing Bahrain in line with global rules on fishing subsidies is set for debate in the Shura Council on Sunday. If approved, it will add the WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to the Marrakesh Agreement, as laid out in Decree No. 79 of 2024. The agreement is designed to curb overfishing by banning government support that encourages unsustainable fishing. Proposal The Shura Council's Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee was tasked with reviewing the proposal after Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh referred it for study. The committee examined the legal implications, consulted government bodies, and reviewed input from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Oil and Environment, and the Supreme Council for the Environment. The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee found no legal or constitutional concerns with the proposal. Approval The Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission said Bahrain's approval fits into worldwide efforts to stop subsidies that contribute to dwindling fish stocks. The Supreme Council for the Environment called the WTO agreement the first of its kind within the organisation, setting legally binding rules to curb overfishing. Representatives pointed to the importance of tracking and managing fishing data, saying this was key to keeping fish stocks at stable levels. Industry The Coast Guard Command said Bahrain already bans support for illegal fishing and works with other agencies to keep the industry in check. They noted that signing up to the agreement alongside other Gulf countries would strengthen regional oversight and bring better coordination. The law consists of a preamble and two articles. Protocol The first approves the amended protocol, signed in Geneva on 17 June 2022, which adds the fisheries agreement to the Marrakesh Agreement. The second is procedural. The protocol itself has six clauses, which set out how the agreement fits into existing WTO rules, ban any reservations on its terms, and detail how it will come into force. It also lays down the rules for formal acceptance by WTO members. Definitions The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies itself has 12 articles covering definitions, subsidy bans, compliance, and dispute settlement. It prohibits subsidies for vessels or operators involved in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. It also limits financial support for fishing that puts extra pressure on depleted stocks and prevents governments from funding fishing operations outside their own waters unless the area is managed by a recognised regional body. Allowances Special allowances exist for developing and least-developed countries, giving them more time and support to meet the requirements. Signatories will have to submit regular reports to allow oversight, with a WTO committee set up to ensure the rules are followed. The Shura Council's Foreign Affairs Committee found that the protocol did not go against the constitution but needed parliamentary approval under Article 37(2). They said Bahrain has taken steps to protect its marine life and manage its fisheries, which are both a key food and income sources for many Bahrainis.
Daily Tribune
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain joins global fight against illegal fishing to safeguard marine life
Bahrain is joining a global effort to crack down on illegal fishing, with Oil and Environment Minister, His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Daina, telling Parliament yesterday that the move is about protecting the country's waters and marine life, not ticking diplomatic boxes. 'This aims to stop illegal fishing,' he said. 'Overfishing is hammering biodiversity everywhere, not just in the Arabian Gulf. It's happening out in the open seas too.' The discussion took place as Parliament debated a draft law on approving the amended protocol to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation, which now includes new rules on fisheries subsidies. Bin Daina stressed that biodiversity shortages were not just a local concern but a worldwide issue, driven by decades of excessive fishing. Marine ecosystems 'The world isn't just running short on fish — entire marine ecosystems are under pressure,' he said. He dismissed any suggestion that Bahrain's move was politically motivated. 'We're not in this for politics. The way we manage fisheries and enforce the law at sea already lines up with what this agreement calls for,' he said. Rule-breakers The agreement, he said, is about holding rule-breakers to account. 'If someone ignores fishing laws, they should face the consequences,' he told MPs. So far, 89 countries have ratified the deal, including four Gulf states. Bahrain is adding its name to the list, with Bin Daina making it clear why. Industry 'Fisheries aren't just an industry,' he said. 'They're tied to our food, our fishermen, our markets — things that matter to every person in Bahrain.' MPs, he noted, were on the same page. 'There's a lot of backing for our marine resources, and that's clear from today's talks. Joining this agreement makes sense if we want to keep our waters and our fish stocks in good shape for the long haul,' he said.
