Bahrain celebrates 25 years of King Hamad’s reign

TDT | Manama                                                               

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Congratulations poured in yesterday for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the occasion of HM celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took the throne in March 1999 following the passing of his father, Shaikh Isa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who had ruled Bahrain since 1961.

The Shura Council issued a statement expressing pride in His Majesty’s significant achievements within the framework of comprehensive development. Council members acknowledged and appreciated the consistent royal directives promoting national unity to strengthen institutional and legal frameworks sustainably.

They underscored the importance of legislative, executive, and judicial authorities in driving economic and social growth. Additionally, the Council praised His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for effectively realizing His Majesty’s visions through various executive plans and programs.

The Council also reiterated its commitment and loyalty to His Majesty, vowing to continue supporting democratic achievements for the stability, advancement, and prosperity of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives extended congratulations and blessings to His Majesty, hailing him as the leader of the comprehensive development process and the driving force behind modern renaissance and reform.

The Council expressed immense pride in Bahrain’s accomplishments in establishing modern state institutions with a forward-thinking vision. Emphasising the historic significance of His Majesty’s accession to power, the Council highlighted its role in enhancing Bahrain’s sovereignty, independence, regional cohesion, and international diplomacy.

The Council acknowledged the collaboration between various authorities and institutions, particularly with the legislative authority and the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as the Crown Prince and Speaker of the Council.

Democratic reform

His Majesty championed a programme of democratic reform shortly after his succession. In November 2000, Shaikh Hamad established a committee to create a blueprint to transform Bahrain from a hereditary emirate to a constitutional monarchy within 2 years.

The resulting “National Action Charter” was presented to the Bahraini public in a referendum in February 2001. In the first comprehensive public vote in Bahrain since the 1970s, 94.8% of voters overwhelmingly endorsed the charter. That same month, Shaikh Hamad pardoned all political prisoners and detainees, including those who had been imprisoned, exiled or detained on security charges.

He also abolished the State Security Law and the State Security Court, which had permitted the government to detain individuals without trial for up to 3 years. On February 14, 2002, one year after the referendum endorsing his National Action Charter, Shaikh Hamad pronounced Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and changed his status from Amir to King.

He simultaneously announced that the first municipal elections since 1957 would be held in May 2002, and that a bicameral parliament, with a representative lower house, would be reconstituted with parliamentary elections in October 2002.

As part of these constitutional reforms, the government also created an independent financial watchdog empowered to investigate cases of embezzlement and violations of state expenditure in July 2002.

Elections

Municipal elections were held in May 2002. Parliamentary elections were held in 2002 after three decades. The new parliament held its first joint sitting in December 2002. Bahrain held its second set of parliamentary and municipal elections in November and December 2006.

All registered political societies participated in the elections. One woman, Lateefah Al-Qauod, ran uncontested and became the first woman elected to parliament in Bahrain. In 2001, HM created the Supreme Judicial Council to regulate these courts and separate the administrative and judicial branches of government.