The Constitution
The Drafting Committee of the Permanent Constitution
On 13 July 1999, the State of Qatar entered a new era in its modern history. His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani issued Decree No. (11) of 1999, and in a historic speech on this occasion announced the formation of a committee to draft the permanent constitution.
Referendum on the Constitution
After 30 years under the Amended Provisional Constitution, Qataris moved into a new era of participatory democracy on 29 April 2003, marked by the approval of the Permanent Constitution of Qatar in a public referendum.
The constitution guarantees:
- Personal freedom, and equality in public rights and duties.
- That no citizen may be banished from the country or denied re-entry to it.
- Freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of the press, printing and publication.
- Freedom to practise religious rites.
Under the provisions of the constitution, the people are the source of authority in Qatar, and an elected legislative council, the Shura Council, exercises legislative authority.
Constitution of Qatar
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Father Amir of the State of Qatar, ratified the Constitution on 8 June 2004. It defines the identity of the State of Qatar as follows:
“Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and Shari’a law shall be the main source of its legislations. Its political system is democratic. Arabic Language shall be its official language. The people of Qatar are part of the Arab nation.
The capital of the State is Doha City; and it may be transferred to any other place by a law. The State shall exercise its sovereignty on its territory and it may not relinquish its sovereignty neither may it cede any part of its territory.”
The law defines the State’s flag, emblem, decorations, badges, national anthem, financial and banking system, and official currency.
The Shura Council
Qatar’s Shura Council was established in 1972 under the provisions of the Provisional Basic Law issued on 19 April 1972, which regulated the State’s new institutions, including the Shura Council.
In November 2020, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State, announced that elections for the Shura Council would be held for the first time in 2021, as part of the State of Qatar’s ambitious policy to develop its legislative mechanisms by expanding popular participation, in a way that reflects the values of the Constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The first direct elections took place on 2 October 2021, with women taking part as both candidates and voters. The terms of the appointed members end when they resign or are relieved of their posts.
The Shura Council holds legislative authority, approves the general budget, and exercises oversight over the executive authority.
The Council deliberates and makes recommendations on:
- Draft laws and decrees referred by the Council of Ministers.
- State policy on economic, administrative and political issues referred by the Council of Ministers.
- All state affairs related to social and cultural issues, on its own initiative or when referred by the Council of Ministers.
- The general budget for public projects, and the Council’s own budget and final accounts.
- Following up on the state’s activities and achievements in all matters, whether referred by the Council of Ministers or on its own initiative.
- Addressing questions to ministers to clarify matters within their competence.
- Proposing recommendations on public issues.
The Council’s annual session lasts eight months. It is convened by His Highness the Amir in October of each year, and His Highness the Amir or his deputy opens the session with a comprehensive speech on the affairs of the state.
His Highness the Amir may issue a decree convening an extraordinary session in cases of emergency or at the request of a majority of the members. In an extraordinary session, the Council may consider only the matters for which it was convened. The convening and adjournment of both ordinary and extraordinary sessions are by decree.
Central Municipal Council
Qatar’s first Municipal Council was formed in the early 1950s. The first elections for members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) were held by direct vote on 8 March 1999, with both men and women taking part. This was a historic event, as the elections were the country’s first steps towards democracy in its civil sense.
The Council’s 29 members represent 29 constituencies covering more than 242 areas of the State of Qatar. It is an independent council that carries out its responsibilities without interference.
The Council operates under Law No. (12) of 1998 on the Regulation of the Central Municipal Council and its amendments, and expresses its views through recommendations and decisions.
It is headed by a Chairman elected directly by the members at their first meeting, and has three administrative units: the Office of the Chairman, the Council Office, and Public Relations.