Bahrain Mirror: Lawyers and law professors criticized the decision to sell distinctive identification card numbers to those who wish to provide their children with special ID numbers. In a poll conducted by Al-Ayyam newspaper, the legal experts warned that the decision to sell distinctive identity numbers may constitute a constitutional suspicion, in the event that some citizens distinguish themselves from their counterparts in the special services provided by state institutions. They pointed out that the decision will inculcate casteism among members of society, let alone lead to criticism on the international human rights level, stressing that the decision is not based on the law even if it is a decision made by the authorities.

The professor of law at the University of Bahrain, Mohammed Al-Enzi, emphasized the luxury of things that harm the societies and stability, especially when such things have reached national identity card numbers, which strongly contradicts the purpose of having an identity card. He added that the authorities should fight this trend with awareness campaigns that encourage capable citizens to donate to the needy, help relief disaster victims or channel their funds for the development of the country.

As for Dr. Salman Al-Zayani, he explained that the sale of numbers and auctions of this type, whether for cars or personal cards, could create an major unexpected social problem in the future, and will be lead to casteism. Thus, special ID numbers will become a statistical indicator of the class differences in the country, which will have a bad impact on the human rights level and the international status of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Al-Zayani stressed on the "necessity to stop such acts, sales and auctions and distribute ID numbers electronically without any intervention from anyone," noting that this would take place when "there is a digital system designed to register vehicles or cards, so the system will select from the available numbers, according to the date of birth."
Also, lawyer Mohammed Abu Hussein said that "the sale of ID cards does not have a legal basis or grounds, even if these decisions were made by the state."

Arabic Version