A mandate to realise a vision

The Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has a 'vision' for Bahrain, to ensure a prosperous and stable future. The outcome of this vision is a National Action Charter which will unite the citizens and mobilise human and other resources, and usher in political, economic and social change.

Earlier, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa pointed out that the constitution of Bahrain, which was suspended in 1975, remains unchanged and the draft National Action Charter is only a broad framework put in place so that the ground rules for future development could be agreed upon.

The Charter, he added, is only an agreement, or an idea of an agreement, to add a number of institutions which have come into effect since one article of the constitution was suspended in 1975. In fact, constitutional developments do not represent change so much as amendments.

Under the Charter there will be a strong separation of powers – a separate independent judiciary, a separate executive and an elected legislature to sit alongside the Shura Council.

Thus, a national dialogue has been underway in Bahrain since October 6 covering all aspects of the Charter which includes important proposals for radical changes to be introduced within the framework of government policy. Preparations are also underway for a referendum on the Charter, on February 14 and 15, for the people to provide Emir Sheikh Hamad with a mandate to implement his vision.

Accordingly, the National Action Charter will serve as a future national action instrument and provide for constitutional changes to establish a bicameral legislature. This includes a free elected representative council along with an appointed council comprising experts and specialists in various fields. It will modernise institutions according to a balanced formula that takes into consideration the lessons of the past, the need of the present and prepare the nation for the future.

The Charter deals with the basic principles of society, government systems, economic fundamentals, national security, democratic life, relations with other countries in the region and foreign relations.

Some of the salient features of the National Action Charter are:
• The government system will be a constitutional monarchy and the Emir is the head of state. His person in inviolable. He is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, the symbol of national stability and the fulcrum of the government system. He exercises his powers through ministers who are accountable to him. He appoints and dismisses the prime minister and ministers as prescribed by the constitution.
• Bahrain joins democratic constitutional monarchies to meet the peoples' aspirations for further progress as it has assumed its full-fledged role as a state both in terms of international relations and sovereign institutions based on equality of all citizens, the common good and national unity.
• Islam is the religion of the state and Islamic Sharia is the principal source of legislation.
• The people will be the source of all power. The government system will be a democracy where all powers rests with the people and sovereignty is exercised as prescribed by the constitution.

Checks and balances
• The government system is based on checks and balances. This means separation of powers of, and cooperation among, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The Emir is at the helm of all three.
• Government is based on rule of law and the independence and immunity of the judiciary are two key guarantees to protect individual rights and freedom. The state shall specify a judicial authority vested with the jurisdiction of the Attorney General.
• Citizens, both men and women alike, have the right to take part in public affairs and political rights including suffrage and the right to contest .
• Adopt a bicameral system whereby the legislature will consist of two chambers to broaden people's participation in public life and ensure their constitutional rights.
• The elected chamber will enact laws while the second chamber will have people with experience and expertise who will advise as necessary.
• This bicameral structure of legislature will be a balanced one offering interrelated advantages, including people's participation in legislation-related affairs and integration among all ideas within a single legislative council.
• Ensure a stable growth rate that offsets high population growth rate.
• The economic system in the island is based on individual initiative, freedom of capital movement in terms of investment and transfer, while laying emphasis on the role of the private sector in resource development and activating the economy.
• An open door policy to be accompanied by a new public administration, streamlined procedures, transparency, elimination of jurisdictional overlapping, improved services and updated economic legislation within a framework of integrity and equal opportunity.
• Institute an Auditor General and an Administrative Supervisory Authority to make bureaucracy more transparent.
• Private ownership is inviolable and thus private ownership, capital and work are individual rights of a social nature.
• Continue to diversify economic activities to avoid dependence on a single source of income.
• Develop a platform for economic development to offer employment opportunities to citizens.
• Emphasise the need to safeguard the country, its territorial integrity and its socio-economic and political gains. In this regard, to strengthen the Bahrain Defence Force, by all means.
• Work closely with GCC member states for greater coordination, rapprochement and integration, particularly in areas that still require more effective coordination.
• It stands for free international trade, movement of investment, capital and labour while taking into account the national interests of individual countries.
• Maintain that each country enjoys the better title over its own natural resources that cannot be disposed of under any external pressure.