Latest news with #LegalCommittee
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: State Council discusses draft laws and income diversification study
Muscat – The State Council convened on Tuesday for its eighth session of the second ordinary term of the eighth period, during which it reviewed several key legislative proposals and strategic studies aimed at enhancing Oman's legal and economic frameworks. The session, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, discussed the Real Estate Registry Law, the Draft Law Amending Certain Provisions of the Arbitration Law in Civil and Commercial Disputes (Royal Decree No. 47/97), and the Civil Society Organisations Law. The Council examined the opinion of the Legal Committee regarding the Real Estate Registry Law, as referred by the Council of Ministers. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen legal safeguards for property owners and beneficiaries, simplify property registration procedures and real estate transactions, and introduce digital documentation, including electronic title deeds integrated with government systems. These measures are aligned with the sultanate's national digital transformation strategy. The session also considered the opinion of the Social and Cultural Committee on the Civil Society Organisations Law. The draft law provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation and operation of civil society entities, including associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), professional societies, volunteer groups, and expatriate clubs. It aims to enhance their role in community development while addressing regulatory challenges posed by the current legal framework. Additionally, the Council reviewed proposed amendments to the Arbitration Law in Civil and Commercial Disputes. The changes are intended to align national legislation with international standards in arbitration, thereby improving the credibility and efficiency of dispute resolution mechanisms. The amendments are expected to boost investor confidence and support Oman's aspirations to become a regional centre for commercial arbitration, in line with Oman Vision 2040. Beyond legislative matters, the Council reviewed a study conducted by the Special Committee on Mechanisms for Diversifying Income Sources in Oman. The study highlights challenges to fiscal sustainability, pinpoints inefficiencies in current revenue streams, and proposes strategic solutions to enhance economic resilience. It also recommends legislative and governance reforms aligned with the objectives of the 11th Five-Year Development Plan. The session concluded with the presentation of a report by the General Secretariat outlining the Council's recent activities. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
State Council discusses draft laws and income diversification study
Muscat – The State Council convened on Tuesday for its eighth session of the second ordinary term of the eighth period, during which it reviewed several key legislative proposals and strategic studies aimed at enhancing Oman's legal and economic frameworks. The session, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, discussed the Real Estate Registry Law, the Draft Law Amending Certain Provisions of the Arbitration Law in Civil and Commercial Disputes (Royal Decree No. 47/97), and the Civil Society Organisations Law. The Council examined the opinion of the Legal Committee regarding the Real Estate Registry Law, as referred by the Council of Ministers. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen legal safeguards for property owners and beneficiaries, simplify property registration procedures and real estate transactions, and introduce digital documentation, including electronic title deeds integrated with government systems. These measures are aligned with the sultanate's national digital transformation strategy. The session also considered the opinion of the Social and Cultural Committee on the Civil Society Organisations Law. The draft law provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation and operation of civil society entities, including associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), professional societies, volunteer groups, and expatriate clubs. It aims to enhance their role in community development while addressing regulatory challenges posed by the current legal framework. Additionally, the Council reviewed proposed amendments to the Arbitration Law in Civil and Commercial Disputes. The changes are intended to align national legislation with international standards in arbitration, thereby improving the credibility and efficiency of dispute resolution mechanisms. The amendments are expected to boost investor confidence and support Oman's aspirations to become a regional centre for commercial arbitration, in line with Oman Vision 2040. Beyond legislative matters, the Council reviewed a study conducted by the Special Committee on Mechanisms for Diversifying Income Sources in Oman . The study highlights challenges to fiscal sustainability, pinpoints inefficiencies in current revenue streams, and proposes strategic solutions to enhance economic resilience. It also recommends legislative and governance reforms aligned with the objectives of the 11th Five-Year Development Plan. The session concluded with the presentation of a report by the General Secretariat outlining the Council's recent activities.
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's fee-for-service crisis: Citizens pay more while receiving less
Shafaq News In a country where public services were once seen as a right, Iraqis are now finding themselves trapped in a system where access to basic government functions—from hospital visits to traffic procedures—comes with a growing price tag. As service quality stagnates or deteriorates, the state's increasing reliance on citizen-paid fees has ignited anger, confusion, and a deep sense of injustice. Burden Without Benefit Across Iraq, citizens are paying out of pocket for services that are either substandard or absent. Hospitals charge patients and their companions for overnight stays without providing clean beds or working air conditioning. Traffic departments impose processing fees ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 IQD (about $75) for routine paperwork—despite long waits, limited seating, and no meaningful infrastructure improvements. "Even to process a simple form, we pay, but get nothing in return," said Khuldun Hassan, a 47-year-old father from Baghdad's al-Shu'la district. In another part of the city, Hayder Ubaid recounted how his electricity bill has soared despite frequent blackouts. "We mostly rely on private generators, but the official bill comes inflated, with added charges for things like 'receipt printing'—even when no electricity is delivered." These are not isolated complaints. From the healthcare sector to utilities and civil paperwork, Iraqis increasingly report that fees are being imposed arbitrarily and without tangible service improvements. Legal Ambiguity The Iraqi Constitution is clear: taxes and fees must be imposed by law, not ministerial discretion. Article 28 of the 2005 Constitution states: "No taxes or fees shall be imposed, amended, collected, or exempted except by law." Yet, in practice, many government ministries and local agencies have bypassed this legal safeguard by creating new services—often in coordination with private contractors—and charging for them under the banner of "enhanced offerings." Khalid al-Jaberi, a member of Iraq's High Committee for Tax Reform, explained the distinction, "A fee is supposed to correspond to a specific service. Taxes apply to regular income. But what's happening now is that many so-called fees are being applied without improving the associated service." This distinction matters because the difference between a legal tax and an unlawful charge affects millions of Iraqis. Public institutions, especially those delegated autonomy, often interpret these rules broadly—leaving citizens with little recourse. Part of the issue stems from the state's effort to increase non-oil revenues. In doing so, ministries have been granted authority to contract with private firms, transferring responsibility for essential services while raising fees. "There is no justifiable reason to involve private companies in issuing passports or handling citizen data," says MP Mohammed al-Khafaji, a member of the parliamentary Legal Committee. "The only real outcome has been a steep rise in costs—without any visible service upgrade." Penalizing the Poor The regressive nature of this monetization strategy is stark. Whether it's paying 5,000 IQD (about $4) to visit a hospitalized relative or shelling out 240,000 IQD (about $185) to renew a car registration, the brunt falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income families. For small business owners and traders, the situation is even more dire. MP Amir al-Maamouri noted that new taxes on imports and property were enacted without warning. "We've seen an abrupt increase in customs fees, especially at uncontrolled border crossings, where poor oversight allows for smuggling and tax evasion while penalizing legitimate traders." According to economist Ahmed Abdul-Rahab, the cumulative effect of these policies is to alienate the very people the government depends on for revenue. "When citizens feel cheated—when they pay but receive no benefit—they stop participating. They avoid paying bills, avoid using government services, and withdraw trust." Broken Fiscal Logic Official estimates suggest that Iraq should be collecting up to 12 trillion IQD (about $9 billion) annually in taxes and fees. In reality, less than a quarter of that amount—about 3 trillion IQD (about $2 billion)—is ever collected. The gap is attributed to systemic evasion, underreporting, and widespread administrative inefficiency. Much of the country's financial code remains unchanged since the early 1980s. Abdul-Rahab criticized the current tax law, first enacted in 1982 and based on a 1922 British model, as "outdated, misaligned with Iraq's social needs, and structurally unjust." He advocated for a progressive overhaul, "Iraq needs modern tax legislation that spares low-income families and targets high-margin industries, banks, and real estate conglomerates. That's how you generate revenue without suffocating everyday life."
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Cook Islands Questions Removal From Global Shipping Database
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist The Cook Islands is seeking clarification on why it was removed from an international shipping database aimed at combating illicit shipping activities. Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) staff were told in May that it was removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) due to a "potential violation of the Terms and Conditions that was agreed upon at the time of registration". "MCI reached out to the founding members of RISC on 8 May 2025 and again on 13 May and again on 21 May. MCI has not had a response from any of them," a statement from MCI said. "MCI is at a loss to understand what possible violation has been committed." The Cook Islands ejection from the information-sharing database was first reported by shipping media Lloyd's List on 20 May. However, the Cook Islans maintains that it does not allow any sanctioned vessels to remain on its register, and has not registered vessels that had been flagged by a RISC member. "There were no 'terms and conditions' discussed or agreed to at the time that MCI joined RISC." RISC was formed in 2019 by the world's three largest ship registries: Liberia, the Marshal Islands and Panama. The membership now includes Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Honduras, Vanuatu, Dominica, Belize, Moldova and Antigua and Barbuda. The database allows registries to share details about vessels and avoid clamp down on "flag hopping" - where a vessel jumps from one registry to another to avoid international sanctions. MCI's statement said the Cook Islands registry was among the first to join after the founding members in May 2020. "MCI supports the aims and objectives of RISC," the statement said. It said that in March, during the Cook Islands International Maritime Organisation Legal Committee, the country "highlighted the RISC compact as an industry best practice". The Cook Islands-registered ship, Eagle S, was seized on Christmas Day 2024 in the Baltic Sea by Finnish authorities, who believed the vessel severed the Estlink 2 submarine cable that carries electricity from Finland to Estonia. Eagle S is also thought to be linked to Russia's shadow fleet, which seeks to evade sanctions on the sale of Russian oil. Last month, both the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Cook Islands said that the ship has never been under sanctions.
Jordan News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Senate Legal Committee Approves Amendments to Penal Code - Jordan News
The Legal Committee of the Jordanian Senate, chaired by Senator Ahmad Tbeishat, approved on Sunday the draft law amending the Penal Code for the year 2025, as received from the House of Representatives. اضافة اعلان The committee meeting was attended by Minister of Justice Dr. Bassam Talhouni, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Dr. Fayez Al-Qudah, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Dr. Waleed Kanakrieh, Secretary General of the Judicial Council Dr. Ali Al-Masaimeh, and Attorney General Dr. Hassan Al-Abdallat. The main objectives of the proposed amendments are to broaden the application of alternatives to custodial sentences by granting the competent courts greater authority to implement such alternatives, thereby increasing the benefit for convicted individuals. It also aims to enable the sentencing judge to collect fines in accordance with the Public Funds Collection Law. Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen the approach of restorative justice by contributing to the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts into society, and reducing recidivism rates. It introduces provisions for suspending the execution of sentences after they become final, and gives the sentencing judge the authority to postpone or allow installment payments of fines, thus helping to ease overcrowding in correctional and rehabilitation centers.
