Bahrain Shura Council unanimously approves major amendments to anti-money laundering law

Bahrain has taken a decisive step to strengthen its financial integrity and national security framework, with the Shura Council unanimously approving sweeping amendments to the Kingdom’s legislation on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing.

During its session yesterday, the Shura Council endorsed Decree-Law No. (36) of 2025, which introduces amendments to key provisions of Decree-Law No. (4) of 2001 concerning the prohibition and combating of money laundering and terrorism financing.

The approved decree-law will now be referred to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, who will formally notify the government to proceed with the next legislative steps.

The amendments were proposed following recommendations by the Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, which highlighted the urgent need for Bahrain’s legal framework to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated financial crime methods and evolving global threats.

Committee rapporteur Dr. Bassam Al Binmohammed emphasized that the decree-law is essential for enabling authorities to respond swiftly to modern techniques used in money laundering, terrorism financing, and the financing of weapons proliferation.

“The amendments embody fundamental international commitments that Bahrain will be assessed against in the upcoming periodic review,” Dr. Al Binmohammed said, noting that the changes align closely with standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The move underscores Bahrain’s commitment to maintaining robust regulatory safeguards, enhancing transparency, and fulfilling its international obligations in the fight against financial crime and terrorism financing.