DOHA, 9 June 2005 — Qatar is set to sign into effect a constitution for the first time in its history today, establishing new democratic reforms in a country long ruled by a monarchy.

Calling the event “historic and glorious,” Justice Ministry official Sultan ibn Abdallah Al-Suidi said the constitution would boost Qatar to an “advanced level of civilization”.

Qatar’s first constitution since independence from Britain in 1971 will leave real power with the emir, but give citizens a greater say in the running of their country.

The constitution allows for free speech, a free press and freedom of assembly “according to the law”, but does not allow for the formation of political parties and stipulates that no changes can be made to the document for the first 10 years. “Qatar is an independent and sovereign Arab country,” Article One says. “Its religion is Islam and Shariah is the main source of legislation. Its regime is democratic and its official language is Arabic.”

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani has advocated greater political openness since taking power after deposing his father in 1995.

The constitution clears the way for the separation of executive, legislative and judiciary branches and allows 45 members of Parliament to be elected. The emir reserves the power to appoint the remaining 15 members.

“The constitution places Qatar at the heart of modernity and democracy,” said Yussef Abidan, a member of the constitutional drafting committee.

Ninety-six percent of voters approved the constitution by referendum in April 2003.

Just 71,400 Qataris were eligible to vote in the referendum. Qatar has only about 150,000 nationals out of a population of 650,000, mostly expatriate workers.

During a Forum on Democracy and Free Trade in Doha in March, Sheikh Hamad said reforms should be genuine and not in response to outside pressure.

It is not enough to introduce “partial amendments to avoid criticism or ease pressure,” he said, apparently referring to US pressure on Arab countries to introduce political and economic reforms.

Reform now has “new supporters... (after only) few voices pinned hopes on the birth of the era of democracy in the region,” he said.

Sheikh Hamad has also promoted economic reforms, saying that fairer distribution of wealth was a prerequisite to stability.

The emir opened Qatar’s economy to foreign investors and allowed them to purchase up to 25 percent of companies listed on Qatar’s stock exchange. “In an increasingly globalized economy, our common efforts must reconcile the requirements of political reform and economic justice,” he told the democracy gathering.

Sheikh Hamad gave women the right to vote and named several women to head official institutions. In 2004, Qatar organized a conference on human rights, a rare event in a region often accused of violating human rights.

“The democratic process has now been launched,” said academic Muhammad Al-Mesfer. “I hope this democratic initiative will become widespread in all the Gulf countries.”