February, 14, 2001 was not just an ordinary day in the history of modern Bahrain. On that glorious date in the Kingdom, the people voted in favour of the National Action Charter (NAC) in response to His Majesty the King's invitation.
It was a parade of the people's true love of the Homeland inscribed by history in brilliant lettering. The ultimate outcome was a landslide 98.4% "yes vote" in favor of HM the King's ambitious reform project which will usher Bahrain into a new era of unprecedented development and modernization.
The Kingdom of Bahrain proudly in pageantry marks the fourteenth anniversary of the plebiscite on its National Charter at all levels and the cornerstone of celebrations is the National Charter which is the solid foundation of HM the King's democratic reform project, the basis of successive ongoing reforms led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The significance of the National Charter does not emanate only from its importance as the basis of the modern democratic state akin to ancient world democracies but also as a national document that sprang from the heart of the society and written by Bahrain's citizens, expressive of their aspirations and requirements which shows hoe to develop this beloved homeland. It was the vision of His Majesty the King who foresaw that the destiny of the importation of any foreign scheme would be despicable failure and that the most successful reforms project should emanate from the people's innate conscience.
Since His Majesty the King has assumed the Kingdom's trust in 1999 and until compilation of the Charter, there had been huge efforts and work in which partook the leadership, national forces, statesmen in order to come up with the National Action Charter as a complete reform document.
Now fourteen years on since the birth of the National Action Charter, multifarious branching accomplishments have been made in all fields. This report on the Kingdom's political reform since the ratification ofthe National Action Charter which His Majesty initiated considering political reform as the cornerstone that consolidate good governance, rejuvenates the political life, rectifies its progression, and its constitutional and legal formulae. The key aspects of the NAC were the supremacy of the law, transparency, people's participation, justice, effective performance, efficient management, accountability, responsibility and strategic vision.
The key phases following the endorsement of the Charter were the constitutional amendments in implementation of the clauses of the National Action Charter that ushered the Kingdom into a new era of reform and development. The principles stipulated in the Charter would not have seen daylight had they not been included in legislation text, also all laws that contradicted with the principles and guidance of the Charter have been rescinded.
The people's participation as one of key gains in political reform:
The National Action Charter is the foundation of modern statehood reliant upon people's participation, therefore one of the major modifications to the Bahraini Constitution was the establishment of the bicameral National Assembly – i.e. the freely, democratically and transparently elected Council of Representatives and the appointed Shura Council. The Constitution has allowed the people to elect their parliamentary representatives – MPs or lawmakers – every four years. This allows constituents to monitor the work of MPs as one of the aspects of citizens participation in the political life in constant interaction with the work of lawmakers and always informed about the topics being discussed under the dome of parliament which directly affect the interest of citizens.
The first parliamentary elections were conducted in October 2002 in compliance with the new constitution, and the first legislature was constituted in compliance with the National Action Charter and the Constitution. It was the beginning of a new glorious chapter in the Kingdom's history with contribution of Bahrain citizens in their country's political setup.
The legislature was accorded the power to regulate and monitor government work, municipal council have been formed through direct polls by citizens, the experience has successfully continued over the years throughout the legislative terms without let or hindrance. His Majesty the King provided all support and assistance to the legislative authority to carry out its role in the best manner.
The National Assembly completed three fully-fledged legislative terms thanks to remarkable cooperation from the government under the premiership of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister, with support from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
His Majesty the King invited to the National Consensus Dialogue in 2011 in line with His Majesty's ongoing gradual reform project. The political theme culminated in huge reforms, including the empowerment of the legislative authority. Recently, the Cabinet presented the Government Action Plan which has been endorsed by the Council of Representatives in cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches in line with the vision of the National Action Charter through the constitutional political partnership between the people represented by MPs and the government. The outcomes of the National Dialogue on the political theme contributed to boosting the legislature as a responsible partner with the executive authority and boosting transparency, the rule of law and separation between the authorities.
The protection of rights and freedoms:
The Constitution laid down solid foundations for the protection of rights and freedoms. Article 4 there stipulates that "Justice is the basis of governance, amicable bonds, freedom, egalitarianism, security, serenity, knowledge, social solidarity, equal opportunity between citizens are societal pillars ensured by the State."
Also, article 31 of the Constitution stipulates that public rights and freedoms as stipulated in the Constitution may not be restricted except by law. And regulation or restriction may not impact on the essence of freedom or right, such as the freedoms stipulated in Chapters Two and Three, in addition to personal freedom, freedom of conscience, the sanctity of places of worshipping and practice of religious rituals, freedom of opinion and the press, respecting family and women's rights, which come under the frame of equality, equal opportunity between all citizens according to Article 18 which stipulated that "people are equal in human dignity, citizens are equal before the law in public rights and duties without any discrimination between them because of gender, origin, language, religion or creed.
Bahrain boosted these constitutional obligations for protection of liberties by ratification of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights in 2006 and the UN Convention on Cultural, Economic and Social Rights.
HM the King launched the freedom of expression, the political and media arena have become open for all opinions. The civil society institutions were enhanced, His Majesty the King pledged constant support to national efforts. No political prisons or detention in Bahrain, no state security court, no fugitives abroad, no restriction on the freedom of assembling, expression according to the law; and, the hands of the clock will never turn back, we are all protectors of democracy, His Majesty emphasized.
The reform project of His Majesty has continued to develop guided by the National Action Charter, political societies were permitted to engage in political work under the law, political events have been organized under the reform project. Political action differs from charity or NGOs work. Societies were classified as NGOS, political, etc. The Political Societies Law issued in 2006 is considered one of the most advanced unprecedented laws in the region which regulate political action.
The media benefited the most from the Royal reforms project which released the freedoms of expression and opinion, which explains the increase in the number of newspapers, and in recent years the many TV channels and radio stations have been launched.
Women's political empowerment:
In 2001, and marking the National Day anniversary, His Majesty the King announced that women have entered the political process, which constitutes a factor of stability, and balance according to the nature of women's responsibility in her family and the community – this announcement by His Majesty meant the beginning of a new era in which women have acquired their political rights.
In 2001, and marking the National Day anniversary, His Majesty the King announced that women have entered the political process, which constitutes a factor of stability, and balance according to the nature of women's responsibility in her family and the community – this announcement by His Majesty meant the beginning of a new era in which women have acquired their political rights.
The Constitution constituted a quantum leap in the role of women and their participation in the public life as it stipulated a quality provision endorsing the right of women and men to equally participate politically. It is the sole Arab constitution to endorse women's overall political rights and which paved the way for women to assume leading positions, including the position of minister, ambassador, judge, parliamentarian, etc.
In order to consolidate the institutional dimension of surety to women's rights, His Majesty the King issued Ordinance 44/2001 for the establishment of the Supreme Council of Women (SCW) presided over by SCW's President and Wife of His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
The SCW has jurisdiction over all of women's issues, in terms of proposing public policy in the area of women affairs development in the civil and constitutional institutions of the community, the empowerment of women's role in public life, inclusion of their efforts in overall development plans, ensuring non-discrimination against women. The SCW launched the National Strategy for Revival of Women and also adopted the National Plan for Implementation of the National Strategy.
The Kingdom joined the Convention for Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2002. Since the beginning of the reform project, the number of women's societies have increased from 18 in 2004 to more than 20 societies in 2014.
The whole world has seen the huge amount of political progress achieved within such short span which attests to the willpower of His Majesty the King regarding continuity of the non-stop ongoing reforms and development as per premeditated steps and purely national policy whilst aware of community needs and requirements and in an endeavour to achieve its hopes and aspirations.