Bahrain has a limited NGO sector, with just 420 NGOs operating in the country. The Government takes an active interest in these organisations, not only ensuring regulatory oversight of the sector but also providing financial and organisational capacity support to individual NGOs.
The sector is primarily made up of associations established to carry out social, educational, cultural or charitable activity.
The primary law relating to NGOs in Bahrain is the Law of Associations Decree No. 21, issued in 1989 and Decree No. 1 issued in 1990. This regulates associations operating in Bahrain, and is the law under which all types of associations are required to register.
In addition there are various legal texts, which are relevant to different types of NGOs. These are listed below. The legal framework for NGOS is incredibly detailed, containing legislation which covers issues such as licensing procedures, the internal operations of NGOs, and their relationship with government. Copies of these legal texts are available in Arabic via the Ministry of Social Development’s website
Resolution No. (4) for 2007 pertaining to the standard regulation of the basic rule for societies, and cultural and social clubs that are liable to the supervision of the Ministry of Social Development.
Resolution No. (9) for 2007 prescribing the licensing procedures and conditions for the allocation and operation of the housing places, and social rehabilitation and welfare establishment centres and homes.
Resolution No. (27) for 2006 concerning the licensing rule of societies, social and cultural clubs, and private establishments that are liable to the supervision of the Ministry of Social Development to collect money.
Resolution No. (24) for 2004 pertaining to the standard regulation of the basic rule for societies.
Resolution No. (27) for 2004 pertaining to the standard regulation of the basic rule for cooperative unions.
Decree – Law No. (44) for 2002 concerning the amendment of some provisions of the Law of societies, cultural and social clubs, and private establishments that operate in the field of youth and sports, and private institutions issued in pursuance of Decree Law No. (24).
Resolution No. (49) for 2001 pertaining to the standard regulation of the basic rule for cooperative societies.
Decree Law No. (24) for 2000 prescribing the issuance of Cooperative Societies Law.
The principle regulator of all NGOs operating in Bahrain is the Ministry of Social Development
Originally the 1989 Act specified the Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs would take responsibility for NGO regulation, but the Ministry was later divided leaving the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) with registration and oversight responsibility for NGOs.
The regulator’s website provides guidelines for registration and online forms
NGOs are also required to register with whichever ministry is responsible for their area of operation, for example NGOs, which deliver health services, must also register with the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has regulatory responsibility for Mosques and religious organisations.
The Law of Associations requires associations with an income or expenses over BD 10,000 to have audited accounts. In addition under Ministerial Order of 2004 NGOs are required to submit accounts quarterly to the Ministry and the MoSD is required to carry out regulatory visits and submit reports to the Minister. The Ministry also expects to attend the annual general meeting of each registered NGO.
The latest information from the MoSD’s website indicates that there are 423 registered organisations operating in the country.
Accessing the database of NGOs
The MoSD provides a directory of NGOs on its website.
In addition to its regulatory duties the Ministry for Social Development takes on direct support for NGOs in terms of capacity building and financial support. Capacity building has mostly been delivered since 2006 through the National Centre for NGO Support Financial support is delivered through grants through the Financial Grants Programme.
Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms – Bahrain Carnegie Endowment For International Peace
We first visited Bahrain in 2005, and the Government subsequently participated in a workshop we held for NGO regulators in the region in 2006.
For more information about our work in Bahrain, please contact Robin MacGregor at robin.macgregor@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk