His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on 6th of November 2024, ratified the constitutional amendments of 2024 to the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, after reviewing the results of the referendum held on Tuesday, 5th of November 2024, and the constitutional amendments achieving an approval rate of 90.6% of the overall valid votes. These amendments are effective from the date of announcing the referendum results and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
The constitutional amendments include substituting the texts of Articles (1), (7), (13), (74), (77), (80), (81), (83), (86), (103), (104), (114), (117), and (150) of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, in addition to adding Article (75 bis), Article (125/final paragraph), and canceling Articles (78), (79), and (82) from the Constitution.
The First Interim Basic Law was promulgated in Qatar in 1970 and on 19 April 1972 the interim amended basic law was issued so as to cope with the massive changes following the abrogation of the Anglo-Qatari treaty and the emergence of new renaissance.
During the period 1995-1996 some Amiri Decisions were issued amending certain provisions in the Basic law that deal with the succession of rule in the state, along with other provisions that deal with the Council of Ministers, Advisory Council, and the judiciary.
On July 12, 1999, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani issued Amiri Decision No. 11 on the formation of a committee for the drafting of the permanent constitution, which was formed of 32 experts academics and thinkers.
On July 2002, the committee presented HH the Father Amir with the draft permanent constitution of the State of Qatar. The date for the referendum on the Draft Permanent Constitution was set on April 29, 2003. The large turnout at the ballot boxes clearly reflected the response of the Qatari people to the appeal of HH the Father Amir to come and vote in a referendum to adopt the constitution. The result, of the referendum was 96.6% of the votes.
On June 8, 2004, the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar was promulgated, containing the fundamental principles guiding state policy, organizing its authorities and system of government, establishing the basic pillars of society, and guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of citizens.
