$1,060 fine for defacing Bahraini passport

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Anyone defacing a Bahraini passport will be fined up to BD400 ($1,060) under an approved amendment to the 1975 Passports Law.

Scribbling, writing, colouring, tearing, sticking or stamping on a passport would be considered a crime.

The amendment, presented by the Interior Ministry, exempts authorised officials in Bahrain or abroad from writing or stamping on passports.

It was approved yesterday by the Shura Council after parliament passed it last month.

“At the moment passports are being misused by tour operators, religious or not, who put marks or identification, or they have improper writings or stamps put in them by unauthorised bodies abroad,” said Parliament and Shura Council Minister Ghanim Al Buainain during Shura’s weekly session yesterday.

“We understand that such improper conduct is an ongoing practice for years, but what’s wrong should be stopped, even if people think it is the norm or something acceptable.

“Tour operators or those putting stamps or writings for tourist destinations abroad are not authorised individuals.”

Shura member Khalid Al Mosallam claimed that people in certain countries were intentionally defacing the Bahraini passport with offensive stamps and writings out of hatred.

“It should be the responsibility of the passport holder to ensure his or her passport doesn’t get into the hands of those who have a grudge against the country because they use it as an opportunity to insert offensive stamps and writings, that no one accepts,” he said.

“This rule will teach people to be careful and ensure their passports are protected at all times.”

The amendment will now be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.