Shura Council: 48 years of active participation in democratic process

Qatar, today, will continue its democratic path through the Shura option, which was chosen by the wise leadership and the loyal Qatari people as a method to conduct and manage matters in the country.
The Shura principle was the most appropriate option for democratic progress as it stems from our religion, Arabism and our heritage and traditions as well as the characteristics of our Qatari society.
To mark the beginning of a new legislative term, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will inaugurate the 48th Ordinary Session of the Shura Council at its headquarters today.
The inauguration will be attended by a number of Sheikhs, ministers, senior officials, members of diplomatic corps accredited to the State and dignitaries in the country.
The Amir will deliver a speech on this annual occasion regarding national affairs, achievements made during the past year and plans and projects for the coming period to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, which will enhance the strength of the country and ensure its growth, prosperity and development, as well as to achieve the prosperity and progress for every Qatari and all who live on this good land, in the light of its adherence to its national sovereignty and independent political decision.
The Amir’s speech is expected to address Qatar’s firm positions towards Arab and Islamic issues, especially the Palestinian cause, which will always remain at the forefront of Qatar’s priorities and concerns.
The speech is also expected to address a number of current issues and situations in the region, and review issues and problems that are threatening international peace and security and Qatar’s positions on them.
The Shura Council plays a distinguished role locally as a legislative authority in accordance with the Constitution.
The Council is one of the forms of solidarity and cohesion between the wise leadership and Qatari people, who over the years, have been an active partner in the process of development and progress in the country.
In its external activities, the Council has strengthened its parliamentary relations with the parliaments in various countries of the world.
It also received a number of visiting parliamentary delegations and participated in many regional and international parliamentary conferences, emphasising on the bright image of the State of Qatar and its clear policies and firm positions towards various issues while defending the interests of the country and its citizens and the fair Arab and International issues.
The experience of the Shura Council in Qatar is rich and distinctive, and is characterised by co-operation and harmony with all state institutions to consolidate democracy and healthy public participation in the country.
Since its inception in the 1970s, it is evident that the Council has evolved for the better because of the support and encouragement it has received from the wise leadership.
The Council’s discussions were characterised by the substantive views of the members and the moderation and balance which took into account the interests of the country and citizens in all sectors.
As this democratic experiment enters its 48th year, it is clear that it has contributed effectively and constructively to the country’s progress in all fields.
The Shura Council has, since its early days, assisted the Amir and the Cabinet.
The past years witnessed the issuance of a lot of legislation and laws that contributed to the building of the homeland, its fortification and progress in all areas.
In order to broaden the base of popular participation in Shura Council and ensure its representation for all segments of society, the doors of the Council were opened for Qatari women’s membership.
The Amiri Decision No 22 of 2017, stipulated the appointment of 28 new members of the Shura Council, including four women for the first time in the history of the Council, in order to encourage them to assume more positive roles and national tasks aimed at serving the country.
This move was a testament to the full confidence that the wise leadership attaches to the role of Qatari women and their ability to serve their country and society in all fields and from all positions, after they have proved their competence in the highest administrative and scientific positions and made an effective effort through their contribution in various fields within the Qatari society.
The sectors entered by women varied such as politics, culture, education, health, aviation, engineering, law, international affairs, Shariah, media, literature and arts.
The 48th session of the Shura Council coincides with the decision of the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to establish a higher committee to prepare for the Shura Council elections, chaired by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, and the membership of a number of ministers and specialists, in line with the comprehensive renaissance witnessed by Qatar in all fields.
The Amiri Decision affirms the Amir’s keenness to consolidate the foundations of the State of institutions and democracy, and the rule of law and human rights, in order to promote the country so that it can occupy a privileged position in the ranks of developed countries.
The move to an elected Shura Council is a new step in addition to the record of Qatar in the field of democracy and a new phase and a historic transformation and a qualitative shift in the political life of the country, especially since Qatar has progressed since the adoption of the democratic approach to governance, according to a clear vision based on careful and gradual building of the democratic process based on its reality and its political, economic, cultural, social and other characteristics.
The establishment of the Shura Council dates back to 1972 when the Amended Provisional Basic Law of Rule in Qatar was passed on April 19th, 1972, to organise the public powers of the modern State including the Shura Council.
The Council was formed in 1972 and was composed of 20 members.
It has continued to develop and grow gradually until 2017, where it reached its current status in accordance with an Amiri Decision, renewing the membership members to 13 and appointing 28 new members to the council, to become 41 members.
The Qatari Constitution stipulates that the Shura Council shall consist of 45 members, 30 of whom shall be elected by direct, secret and public suffrage and the Amir appoints the other 15, whether ministers or others.
The Shura Council of Qatar is one of the two main branches of Qatar’s legislative body.
The laws to be effective, they shall be presented before the Shura Council for consideration and suggestions.
The other organ, is the Cabinet, which proposes bills, prepares draft laws and refers them to the Council, for due consideration and recommendations thereafter.
The Shura Council shall have a Speaker, a Deputy Speaker and two or more rapporteurs as required, who shall be elected through secret balloting, according to the proportional majority, at the first meeting of each annual ordinary session of the Council.
The Council’s Bureau is composed of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and two, or more rapporteurs, as may be required by the Council.
The Shura Council forms, from among its members, within the first week of its annual ordinary session, the following Standing Committees: the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee; the Economic and Financial Committee; the Services and the Public Utilities Committee; the Internal and External Affairs Committee; and the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee.
The Shura Council may, according to the exigencies of the work, may form other Ad hoc, or Standing Committees.
Each Ad hoc or Standing Committee may constitute, from among its members, one or more Sub-Committees.
The Committees shall, after consideration and discussion of each matter referred to them, present to the Speaker of the Council, a comprehensive report on each item referred to them, within 30 days at late, from the date of referral of the issue, unless the Council decides otherwise.
Through the power entitled to it, the Shura Council practices its power by either approving, accepting or even rejecting the draft bills and other matters presented to the Shura Council.
The Council has the competence to discuss and propose several issues, particularly to discuss draft laws and decrees by-laws, as well as the general policy of the government on political, economic, and administrative matters, which are referred to it by the Cabinet.
Also, the Shura Council may propose and consider by itself issues that of public concern, including inviting ministers and the government officials to discuss such matters with them.
Also, the Shura Council discusses and approves the draft budget of the main public projects, the draft budget and the final accounts of the Shura Council.
The Council follows up the activities and the achievements of the government in all matters, whether the issue is referred to it, by the Government, or the Council addressed it on its initiation.
It addresses questions to ministers seeking answers and explanations from ministers on matters under the competence of the Council.
It submits recommendations and expresses an opinion to the government on the above-mentioned issues.
The Shura Council is a member of parliamentary associations and international organisations, including: Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union; the Parliamentary Union of the OIC member-states; the Inter-Parliamentary Union; Arab Parliament; Association of Secretaries General of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC member-states; the Association of Senates, Shura and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World; Association of the Secretaries-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; and Meeting of Secretaries General of the Parliamentary Assemblies of the (GCC) States.