The Shoura Council is to take up the crucial bill for discussion on Monday.

The Human Rights Committee of the Shoura Council is divided over the new draft bill of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha).

The controversy comes ahead the discussion of the new bill at Monday’s session. The bill was submitted by two members of the council, Nasser bin Daoud and Mouwafiq Al-Ruwaili.

According to sources quoted by the local media, a minority of the committee believes that the draft bill would impose the supremacy and authority of the state on persons who resort to fraudulent ways to bribe government employees.

The majority accepted the arguments presented by Nazaha delegates who said that when they ask ministers and heads of independent departments to investigate suspected cases, and then implement the sanctions when violations are confirmed, they are ignored.

Four of the committee members approved the justifications submitted for the draft and say that the supremacy and authority of the Kingdom on the world stage demands the existence of a detailed law for anti-corruption, and that the draft bill does not override the stipulations in international regulations and agreements to fight corruption.

The suggested law comes with 28 articles and aims to protect the state’s bodies against financial and administrative corruption. It will also highlight the role of Nazaha in actively fighting corruption which would enhance the status of the state among other nations of the world in matters of integrity and honesty.

The minority on the Human Rights Committee confirmed that the new law will strengthen the role of Nazah and impose its authority on bodies and officials according to a clearly defined system.

The majority who reject the draft bill said: “The issue is not linked with legislative dysfunction, but with obstacles that may hinder adherence to the standing regulatory benchmark, Nazaha. The dysfunction is due to lack of action and not regulations or laws.”

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