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The State of Qatar: A Financial and Legal Overview
Author(s) -
AlKhatib Fawzi,
AlAbdulla Sultan M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
middle east policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.177
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1475-4967
pISSN - 1061-1924
DOI - 10.1111/1475-4967.00031
Subject(s) - citation , state (computer science) , library science , political science , computer science , algorithm
SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE Qatar is a hereditary emirate, ruled by the Al-Thani family since the nineteenth century. After a century of Ottoman occupation, in 1916, a treaty was ratified with Britain making Qatar a British protectorate. The full independence of Qatar was announced on September 3, 1971, after the British withdrew. On June 27, 1995, H.H. Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani acceded as head of state. On October 23, 1996, the position of prime minister was established, a post now held by H.H Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa. H.H Shaikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani is the heir apparent. The provisional constitution decrees that the emir is the head of state and holds executive and legislative authority. The emir issues legislation based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, which he heads, and in consultation with the Advisory Council. The Council of Ministers is responsible for proposing draft laws and decrees, for implementing these laws, and for supervising the financial and administrative affairs of government. The Advisory Council consists of 35 members chosen from all sectors of Qatari society. They review draft laws proposed by the Council of Ministers prior to their ratification by the emir. In the five years since assuming power, H.H. Shaikh Hamad has introduced a degree of political liberalization unprecedented in the Gulf region. The enfranchisement of women is the most obvious example of this. Qatar will push ahead with the process of liberalization, of which many Qataris are very proud. The political reform program has taken a major step forward with the creation of the National Constitution Committee. This committee was set up by an emiri decree to draw up a permanent constitution, which is expected to allow for the establishment of an elected parliament. Qatar’s first civil polls, the elections for a “Central Municipal Council (CMC),” were held in March 1999, an event which marked the country’s first step on the road to democracy. Two hundred forty-six