Qatar moving towards democracy, says FM

Gulf times-Doha Sunday, 27 November, 2005,

Staff Reporter

PREPARATIONS are under way to hold the first parliamentary elections in Qatar, in accordance with the new Constitution approved in a referendum two years ago, the First Deputy Premier and the Foreign Minister, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, said yesterday.

“Qatar has made great strides towards democratisation and public participation in decision making,” he told delegates to the ‘Nato and the Broader Middle East, The Role of Parliamentarians Conference’ which opened at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha yesterday.

The foreign minister said the move towards democracy was Qatar’s own decision taken by HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, “years before the September 11 attacks.”

“We are working hard to complete the building of a modern state based on the rights and duties of the citizens in a society of development,” the first deputy premier said.

Talking about the Qatari Constitution, he said that it organised the relationship between the leadership and the citizens based on the principles of accountability and transparency in ruling and administration.

The foreign minister said that Qatar’s Constitution took into account the country’s society and historical background. “Therefore, any dialogue with other parliamentarians will be useful to recognise that special experience and the ways to overcome the difficulties.”

HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said such exercises would enable both sides to achieve the interests of all parties, that include stability, peace and development.

The Advisory Council Speaker, HE Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Kholeifi, said that peace would not be achieved unless people got their freedom in a democratic way and the government followed transparency in governance and respected the freedom of both genders.

He said that security arrangement between the GCC countries and the world’s superpower was vital to maintain stability and security in the region.

“Our common goal now is to protect the international community from terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear intimidation and regional disputes,” the Advisory Council Speaker said.

He said that Qatar welcomed dialogue and exchange of views, saying that stability and security in the world constitute a noble goal.

“Qatar has gained international appreciation for adopting the principles of law and justice,” he added.