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Bahrain

 Flag of Bahrain

Last reviewed: 17 November 2008

Country information

POLITICS

Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa succeeded his father (Shaikh Isa bin Sulman Al-Khalifa) as Ruler in 1999 on the latter’s death, and began to transform Bahrain into a constitutional monarchy. Shaikh Hamad pardoned political prisoners and detainees in 2001, including those previously exiled from Bahrain. He also abolished the State Security Law and State Security Court, which were much criticised by opposition groups for suppressing freedom.

After referendums and consultation, Shaikh Hamad presented Bahrain’s new Constitution on 14 February 2002, which set out plans for a bi-cameral Parliament (the National Assembly) and transformed Bahrain into a Kingdom. The Parliament comprises two Houses - the Shura (Consultative, Lower House) and the Nuwab (Upper Council of Representatives). Both Councils consist of 40 members, the Shura appointed by the King, and the Nuwab elected by the public. Members of both Councils serve four-year terms. Sessions of the Shura and Nuwab are open to the public, unless the government requests a closed session. The King retains the power to amend the Constitution.

The country’s first municipal elections since 1957 took place on 9 May 2002.. Women had the right to both vote and to stand as candidates. The turnout was 51%, with women making up 52% of voters. Candidates with links to Islamist groups won the majority of seats. Although women comprised 10% of candidates, none were elected.

Parliamentary elections took place on 24 October 2002. Due to a Shia boycott, over half of the 40 Members of Parliament elected were Sunni Islamists, with just 12 Shia Despite strong participation by female voters, no women were elected to the new parliament. The Government put considerable resources into encouraging as many people as possible to vote. The elections themselves were noted for the use of state-of-the-art technology, and for their transparency. The elections were successful in terms of the government's neutrality, and high-standard logistical organisation.

The most recent parliamentary and municipal elections were held in November 2006. Voter turnout was 72% and saw major gains for both Shia and Sunni Islamist parties. The Shia Al Wefaq took 17 of the 40 seats and became the largest single group in the Chamber. The election was preceded by a political realignment in which opposition parties that had boycotted 2002's poll agreed to take part. There were widespread allegations of malpractice by both the Government and candidates.

The Cabinet currently contains two female members: Dr Fatima Ahmed Al Beloushi (Minister of Social Affairs), and Dr Nada Haffadh (Minister for Health). On 18 April 2005, a Shura council session was chaired by Alees Samaan - the first time in Bahrain’s history a parliamentary session had been chaired by a female.

When Bahrain was elected to head the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 it appointed lawyer and women's rights activist Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa as the President of the United Nations General Assembly, only the third woman in history to head the world body.

The King recently created the Supreme Judicial Council to regulate the country's courts and institutionalise the separation of the administrative and judicial branches of government.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Bahrain is a relatively liberal Gulf State. Many communities are allowed their own places of worship and the Shura Council includes a Christian and a Jewish member. Bahrain has introduced significant political reforms since King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa succeeded his father in 1999.

Bahrain has two independent non-governmental human rights organisations: The Bahrain Human Rights Society (which has recently received authorisation to monitor prison conditions). The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society was banned.

The press is also relatively free although editors exercise self-censorship.

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

Bahrain is a party to the following UN conventions, which were ratified on the dates shown:

  • International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination: 27/03/90;
  • International convention on the suppression and punishment of the crime of apartheid: 27/03/90;
  • Convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide: 27/03/90;
  • Supplementary convention on the abolition of slavery, the slave trade, and institutions and practices similar to slavery: 27/03/90;
  • UN Convention on the rights of the child: 13/02/92;
  • Convention against torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment: 6/03/98;
  • UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: 18/07/02;
  • Bahrain signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1999, but have yet to ratify;
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): 20/09/06 (accession);
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): pending.

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