Doha, November 16 (QNA) - The Center of Legal and Judicial Studies (CLJS) at the Ministry of Justice organized a conference entitled "Shura Council and the democratic process in Qatar", which reviewed the process of democratic transformation in the country in light of the provisions of the permanent constitution of the state, and the important step that culminated in this process in fulfillment of the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which was announced in His Highness' speech at the opening of the 49th Ordinary Session of Shura Council in 2020, during which HH the Amir set last October to organize the first legislative elections to choose the members of the elected Shura Council.
The speakers at the conference praised the legal and legislative procedures that accompanied the first democratic electoral process to select two-thirds of the members of the Shura Council through free and direct elections, and stressed their importance to strengthening the traditions of the Qatari Shura Council and developing the legislative process with a broader participation of citizens, after the success of the first electoral experience of the Shura Council in the country.
On this occasion, HE Minister of Justice Masoud bin Mohammed Al Ameri, said that this conference constitutes a legal reading and a procedural follow-up to a historical event in the State of Qatar and the region, thanks to the wise vision and firm conviction of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to develop the states legislative mechanisms and consolidate its legal system by expanding the scope of popular participation in a way that reflects the vision of His Highness, embodies the provisions and values of the Qatari constitution, and achieves the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE the Minister added that we are all aware, and as HH the Amir emphasized in the opening session of the elected Shura Council, the importance of this historical moment in which we witness the completion of the institutions stipulated in the constitution by establishing the elected legislative authority along with the executive and judicial authorities, which enshrines the values and principles of the rule of law and institutions, and upholds the rule of law, which Qatar's wise leadership is keen to establish.
HE the Minister affirmed the Ministry of Justice's welcome to extend bridges of cooperation and communication with the elected Shura Council to spread legal culture in a manner that serves national development and joint government work with the Council.
For his part, the Head of Legal Affairs in the Shura Council, Muhammad Khaled Al Sada, reviewed the establishment of the Council, its organs and committees, and the rights and duties of its members, since the Shura Council was established in the State of Qatar in 1972 after the adoption of the amended provisional statute in the state on April 19, 1972, and the role that was assigned to it to be of assistance to HH the Amir and the Council of Ministers in performing their duties. Upon its tablishment, the Shura Council included 20 fully appointed members, so that the composition of the Council later witnessed a series of amendments on more than one occasion, which was based on the membership of the current Council of 45 members.
The Professor of Public Law at the College of Law at Qatar University Dr. Hassan Abdel Rahim Al-Sayed, reviewed the competences of the Shura Council under the provisions of the Constitution, and the laws regulating the work of the Council, which stipulate that the Council assumes the authority of legislation, approving the states general budget, and exercising oversight over the executive authority as set out in the constitution. The Shura Council has the right to express the wishes to the government in public matters, and if the government is unable to comply with these wishes, it must explain to the council the reasons for this, and the council may comment once on the governments statement. These competencies are implemented during the term of the Council, which lasts four Gregorian years, starting from the date of its first meeting.
In her speech at the conference, Acting Director of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Ministry of Justice Nada Jassim Al Abduljabbar, said that the importance of choosing the topic of the symposium is due to the successful completion of the Shura Council elections process, and the start of its first session, in order to exercise its competencies towards achieving more democracy and strengthening the principle of citizenship.
She explained that the conference sheds light on the development of the Shura Council since its establishment to date, as well as addressing the provisions of the current Shura Council law and the democratic process in the State of Qatar in order to activate the functions of the center and in line with the developmental and legislative development witnessed by the country in various fields.