Bahrain has marked a significant milestone, commemorating 25 years of progress and development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The vision of His Majesty has steered the nation towards a period of rapid achievements to meet the aspirations of its people and to ensure complete readiness for the future.
Under His Majesty’s leadership, the nation has been united in its pursuit of prosperity and dignity, with a strong emphasis on reform to enhance stability and improve the living standards of Bahrain’s citizens.
From the onset of his reign, His Majesty has championed development and modernisation. His ambitious plans, outlined during his visionary address on National Day in December 1999, aimed to revive and recreate Bahrain’s historical development across various sectors, rooted in the nation’s rich legacy. The domains His Majesty emphasised in his speech included public administration, economy, trade, education, intellection, social development and the advancement of women.
The reforms led by His Majesty emanated from the comprehensive vision of His Majesty, based a thorough assessment of the requirements of the nation at that time.
A pivotal moment arrived with the referendum of the National Action Charter in February 2001, underscoring Bahrain’s identity and unity, and signaling a new social contract. His Majesty’s inclusive approach in drafting the Charter reflected a dedication to popular participation in shaping the nation’s future.
The Charter received overwhelming support from Bahrain’s people, with 98.4% voting in favour in 2001. Subsequent milestones, including the adoption of the constitution in 2002 and its amendments in 2012, which further solidified Bahrain’s journey towards a modern democracy, believing in openness while maintaining its national identity, upholding values of toleranace and coexistence, and placing citizens as the first and foremost objective of development.
His Majesty’s reforms have laid the groundwork for a modern state, including the implementation of financial and administrative oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. Initiatives aimed at empowering women and youth have further demonstrated the royal commitment to inclusive development.
The establishment of a robust framework for modern democratic governance, beginning with the National Action Charter and the Constitution, has been pivotal. This was followed by proactive measures such as the separation of authorities, reinstating parliamentary life and implementing a bicameral legislative system. These initiatives, commonly found in established and emerging democracies alike, ensure balance and facilitate public engagement, and enhancing legislative effectiveness.
Moreover, the reform project upheld public and private freedoms within a modern constitutional and legal framework. In 2002, a Royal Decree established the Constitutional Court to review laws in compliance with the constitution. Additionally, institutions, such as the National Institution for Human Rights, Special Investigation Unit and the Ombuds Office, were established to uphold international human rights commitments and ensure compliance with global standards.
In line with these efforts, the Cabinet approved the National Plan for Human Rights for the years 2022-2026, covering various rights and vulnerable groups. In 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued a decree establishing the National Committee for Human Rights, further underlining Bahrain’s commitment to human rights.
In 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, issued an edict establishing the National Committee for Human Rights. This committee coordinates government agencies on human rights matters, reviews Bahrain’s international human rights commitments, and ensures adherence to global standards.
Under the reign of HM, Bahrain has implemented pioneering measures in the realm of rights and freedoms. Notably, Royal Decree Law No. 18 of 2017 granted the Ministry of Interior the authority to request alternative penalties for convicts after serving half of their sentence. This initiative expanded in February 2022 with the inclusion of open prisons in rehabilitation and training programmes for individuals serving alternative sentences. Additionally, Bahrain enacted juvenile justice reform in 2021 and intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, leading to its consistent classification by the U.S. Department of State as a Tier 1 country in its Trafficking in Persons report for 2022. Bahrain remains the only Arab nation to maintain this classification for five consecutive years and the only country in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The reform project also laid the groundwork for an institutional system of financial and administrative oversight to ensure the proper use of public funds, adherence to administrative procedures, and enhanced transparency across government entities. In line with this objective, the Financial and Administrative Control Bureau was established in 2010 to oversee the proper and legal use of public funds, improve the efficiency of monitored entities, and enhance service quality for citizens. It operates based on internationally recognised standards and best professional practices, contributing significantly to safeguarding and maintaining public funds.
Furthermore, the reform project provided opportunities for all segments of society, particularly women and youth, to contribute to national development. The Supreme Council for Women, established on August 22, 2001, marked a significant milestone in Bahrain’s women’s empowerment efforts, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the Wife of His Majesty the King. The Council’s establishment facilitated the success and launch of key initiatives to empower women, achieve gender balance, and promote equal opportunities across various sectors.
In the realm of youth empowerment, Bahrain embraced strategies to support, invest in, and encourage youth engagement in various fields. Initiatives such as the National Youth Empowerment Strategy and the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award for Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2017, underscore the nation’s commitment to harnessing youth potential and providing them with the necessary skills and experiences for the job market.
Moreover, the reform project adopted a flexible democratic approach characterised by dynamism and adaptability to evolving circumstances while preserving national identity. It focused on developing political education and culture at all educational levels to instill democratic values and enhance political awareness among citizens. Within this context, the Bahrain Institute for Political Development was established in 2005 with the aim of promoting democratic principles, enhancing political awareness, contributing to the country’s political development and fostering greater societal knowledge and engagement in political processes.
In his address during national celebrations last December, His Majesty succinctly summarised Bahrain’s achievements over 25 years of his reign, expressing pride in the nation’s democratic progress and developmental journey. His Majesty’s commitment to a modern and advanced Bahrain has been fulfilled, and the trajectory of growth and development will continue under his wise leadership for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.
BNA(R)
