Parliamentary immunity for MP Abdullah Khalifa Al Rumaihi was lifted during the Parliament’s annual recess in Bahrain. Officials included the matter on the official agenda for the second ordinary session of the fifth annual session of the sixth legislative term, which is scheduled for 13 October 2026. The formal approval to lift the parliamentary immunity of MP Abdullah Khalifa Al Rumaihi was granted during this period of the Parliament’s annual recess, marking a significant step in the legislative handling of the case.
Legal Framework for Immunity
Article 89(c) of the Constitution and Article 185 of the Council’s internal regulations mandate that criminal proceedings against a member of Parliament require formal permission from the Speaker if the request is submitted while the chamber is not in session. These provisions establish the procedural requirements for waiving the protections typically afforded to lawmakers during the parliamentary recess. Under Article 89(c) of the Constitution and Article 185 of the Council’s internal regulations, permission from the Speaker is explicitly required outside the parliamentary session before any criminal proceedings can be initiated against an MP. This regulatory framework ensures that the legal process remains aligned with constitutional mandates even when the legislative body is not actively meeting.
Under the same internal regulations, the legislative body or the Speaker must issue a formal decision regarding a request for permission to initiate legal action within one month of receiving the formal application. Should the Parliament or its Speaker fail to provide a response or issue a decision within that 30-day window, the permission is considered granted by default. This automatic authorization mechanism serves as a procedural deadline for the handling of such requests, ensuring that the immunity status of an MP does not remain indefinitely unresolved during periods of administrative review.
The specific provision stating that if Parliament or its Speaker does not issue a decision on a request for permission within one month of receiving it, the permission is deemed to have been granted, acts as a safeguard against procedural stagnation. By establishing this one-month window, the regulations facilitate the timely progression of legal matters involving members of the legislative body.
The inclusion of this matter on the agenda for the second ordinary session of the fifth annual session of the sixth legislative term on 13 October 2026 reflects the official administrative trajectory of the case. Following the procedural requirements set forth by the Constitution and the internal regulations of the Council, the process adheres to the established legal standards governing the conduct and protections of parliamentary members in Bahrain. The lifting of immunity during the recess follows these strict protocols, ensuring that the transition from protected status to potential legal accountability follows the prescribed constitutional and regulatory path outlined for the sixth legislative term. The Parliament continues to operate under these defined legal parameters as it addresses the status of MP Abdullah Khalifa Al Rumaihi.
