On October 28, 2024, The Qatari Shura Council (parliament) unanimously approved proposed amendments to the constitution. Thereafter, on November 5, Qatari citizens voted in favor of the amendments in a public referendum.
The current constitution was issued in 1970 and was amended multiple times. The last referendum on constitutional amendments took place in April 2003.
The most significant of the new amendments are described below.
Government System
An amendment to article No. 1 stipulates that Qatar’s government system is based on a constitution. The same provision of the prior constitution does not mention that Qatar’s government is based on any constitution or basic law.
Foreign Policy
An amendment to article 7 provides an additional principle on which Qatar’s foreign policy shall be based, namely to maintain a balanced relationship between all parties on the regional and international level through mediation and dialogue.
Oath of the Emir
As opposed to the current constitution, the amended article 74 does not require a new Emir of Qatar to take an oath during a special session of the Shura Council before becoming the official ruler of the country.
Shura Council Membership
An amendment to article 77 abolishes elections of members of the Shura Council, and grants the power to appoint all members of the council to the Emir. It states that the Shura Council shall consist of at least 45 members, all of whom shall be appointed by a decree of the Emir. Before the amendment, article 77 provided that 30 of the 45 members of the Council would be elected by direct, general secret ballot, while the Emir would appoint 15 members.
An amendment to article 83 stipulates that if the seat of one of the members of the Shura Council becomes vacant, the Emir has the authority to appoint a new member to fill the vacancy. The prior constitution provided that in the event of a vacancy, a successor would be chosen by an election within two months from the date of notification of the vacancy.
An amendment to article 80 provides that Shura Council members shall be at least 30 years old. The prior constitution did not impose an age requirement on Shura Council members.
Dissolving the Shura Council
An amendment to article 104 allows the Emir to issue a decree to dissolve the Shura Council without providing a justification. It stipulates that the Emir may dissolve the Council by decree in cases of necessity and in the public interest. The prior version of article 104 allowed the Emir to dissolve the Shura Council by decree but required that reasons for the dissolution be stated.
George Sadek, Law Library of Congress
November 26, 2024
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