Bahrain panel to submit charter to Emir

An official delegation is expected to submit the draft National Action Charter to the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. If approved, the charter, would turn Bahrain into a constitutional monarchy and Sheikh Hamad would become king.

The charter was prepared by the Supreme National Committee appointed by Sheikh Hamad to introduce far reaching changes to the island's political structure, part of overall reforms.

The SNC, approved the draft charter late last Monday after the members, who included six women, huddled together at the Riffa Palace for six late night meetings throughout the month of Ramadan.

The charter, which has also set up an elected parliament in addition to the already appointed, 40-member Shura Council, outlines articles dealing with the role of state institutions, freedom of expressions and publishing, individuals' rights and obligations and immunity to the judiciary.

Bahrain has not had a parliament since 1975 when the late Emir, Sheikh Isa, suspended it. Not copies of the charter were made public in Bahrain, but reports said the expected parliament will have women members. In a step showing his intention to project a more democratic image of Bahrain, the Emir approved the appointment of four women, including a Christian, for the current Shura Council term for the first time. A Jewish businessman and another of Indian origin were also appointed to widen representation of Bahraini society.

Sources close to the committee said that once Sheikh Hamad has approved the charter, it will be presented to a popular referendum. No date for this has been set. London-based Al Hayat newspaper reported the charter would be presented to some 2,000 selected Bahrainis representing different sectors of society.

If passed, Bahrain will become the first Gulf constitutional monarchy and the second Arab Gulf state to have an elected body after Kuwait.