Qatar’s Government Briefs Shura Council on Proposed Constitutional Amendments

The Qatari Shura Council holds its second session and reviews the draft constitutional amendments.(QNA)
The Qatari Shura Council holds its second session and reviews the draft constitutional amendments.(QNA)
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Qatar’s Government Briefs Shura Council on Proposed Constitutional Amendments

The Qatari Shura Council holds its second session and reviews the draft constitutional amendments.(QNA)
The Qatari Shura Council holds its second session and reviews the draft constitutional amendments.(QNA)

The Qatari Shura Council held a session on Monday to review proposed constitutional amendments announced by the Emir of Qatar in mid-October to return to the system of appointment for selecting Shura Council members, instead of elections.
Qatar held its first parliamentary elections on Oct. 1, 2021, since the establishment of the Shura Council in 1972.
The session, chaired by Council President Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim, included a briefing by the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim bin Ali Al-Muhannadi, on the proposed constitutional amendments, during which he also responded to questions from council members.
On Tuesday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced that the constitutional amendments, which include eliminating the election of two-thirds of the Shura Council members and fully adopting an appointment system, will be put to a public referendum.
The current Qatari constitution, in effect since 2005, mandates that two-thirds of the 45-member Shura Council be elected, with the remaining third appointed by the Emir.
In a speech to the Shura Council, Sheikh Tamim referred to the elections as a “trial” and said: “We have drawn conclusions from it, which led us to propose these constitutional amendments.”
He added: “The Shura Council is not a representative parliament in a democratic system, and its role and powers will not be affected whether its members are selected through elections or appointments.” He also pointed to “various channels for consultation with Qatari citizens.”
The Emir went on to say: “Out of our commitment to ensuring that all citizens contribute to building national unity and promoting equal citizenship, the constitutional amendments will be put to a public referendum, and I encourage all citizens to participate.”

 

 

 



UAE Interior Ministry: Extensive Search Underway for Missing Moldovan Man

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
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UAE Interior Ministry: Extensive Search Underway for Missing Moldovan Man

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

The UAE Ministry of Interior said on Saturday that it "received a report from the family of a Moldovan national named Zvi Kogan, stating that he had been missing and out of contact since last Thursday”.
The ministry confirmed that "relevant authorities began extensive search and investigation operations immediately upon receiving the report”, the UAE’s official news agency WAM reported Sunday.
The ministry also urged the public to obtain accurate information from official sources and not get misled by “malicious” rumors.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is "closely following the case of the missing Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan, maintaining communication with his family, and providing all necessary support”, it added..
Majed Al Mansouri, Director of the Foreign Nationals Affairs Department at the ministry, affirmed that the Ministry is closely monitoring the case and is in close contact with his family to provide them with all means of necessary support.
He also highlighted that the Ministry is in continuous contact with the Embassy of Moldova in Abu Dhabi in this regard.