Amendment to the Constitution of Bahrain

February 20, 2002

On February 14 (Thu), Bahrain amended its constitution and changed the country's name to "The Kingdom of Bahrain." The constitutional amendments include the establishment of a bicameral parliament with legislative powers (the Chamber of Deputies filled by election (tentative translation) and the Consultative Council (tentative translation) filled by appointment)), legislative powers given to the two Houses, and women's suffrage. The Government of Japan congratulates Bahrain on establishing a bicameral parliament and becoming a constitutional monarchy, in the course of its progress towards democratization.
After the amendments, the Amir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad, gave an address, announcing that municipal elections would be held on May 19 this year, and that a general election to commence the bicameral parliament would be held on October 24 this year, as steps towards the establishment of a parliament. The Government of Japan has supported the Bahrain's progress towards democratization, which has already been promoted by King Hamad up to the present, and therefore welcomes these amendments to the constitution that result in determining the concrete process towards future democratization, granting the suffrage to its women, and promoting further democratization.
The Government of Japan trusts that this process of democratization will be smoothly carried out.

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