In 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing successful petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors, and also to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size and central location among Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors.
The Sunni-led government has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Political talks throughout 2014 between the government and opposition and loyalist political groups failed to reach an agreement, prompting opposition political societies to boycott parliamentary and municipal council elections in late 2014. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy.
Source: CIA World Factbook
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Displaying 21 - 25 of 37Legislative Decree No. 1 of 1995 regulating the appropriation of lands and buildings in Bahrain by citizens of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
The purpose of this Legislative Decree is to regulate the appropriation of lands and buildings in Bahrain by citizens of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. This Legislative Decree is composed of 11 articles. Article 1 defines the requirements and conditions for appropriation of lands and buildings in Bahrain by physical persons of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Article 2 allows the appropriation of more than two lands only by obtaining previous authorization by the Government of Bahrain. Article 5 deals with the transfer of property.
Legislative Decree No. 24 of 1975 amending Legislative Decree No. 8 of 1970 concerning the appropriation of land for public benefit.
This Legislative Decree amends Legislative Decree No. 8 of 1970 concerning the appropriation of land for public benefit as follows: (a) the competencies of the Minister of Municipality and Agriculture shall be entrusted to the Minister of Housing; and (b) the Minister of Housing shall select the Valuation Commission as well as define the reporting periods.
Amends: Legislative Decree No. 8 of 1970 concerning the appropriation of land for public purposes. (1970-09-01)
Legislative Decree No. 5 of 1971 concerning the transportation and taking away of sand, pebbles and stones necessary for filling up and construction operations.
This Legislative Decree aims at soil and environment protection. This Legislative Decree is composed of 6 articles. Article 1 defines the zones from which it may be allowed to take away or transport sand, pebbles and stones in accordance with Ancient Law of 1970. Article 2 prohibits transportation or taking away of sand, pebbles and stones unless a previous licence from the Agriculture and Municipalities Department has been obtained. Article 3 defines the requirements and conditions for the transportation of the aforementioned materials. Article 4 contains offences and penalties.
Legislative Decree No. 8 of 1970 concerning the appropriation of land for public purposes.
The aim of this Legislative Decree is to regulate the appropriation of land by the Government or Municipalities for public purposes. This Legislative Decree is composed of 12 articles. Article 1 provides for terms and definitions.
Legislative Decree No. 2 of 1979 amending Legislative Decree No. 5 of 1971 concerning the transportation and taking away of sand, pebbles and stones necessary for filling up of wetlands and lands covered with water as well as for construction operations.
This Legislative Decree amends Legislative Decree No. 5 of 1971 concerning the transportation and taking away of sand, pebbles and stones necessary for filling up of wetlands and for construction operations as follows: (a) all competencies provided for in Legislative Decree No. 5 of 1971 shall be entrusted to the Chief of the Temporary Central Municipality Authority instead of to the Chief of Agriculture and Municipalities; and (b) a new paragraph shall be added concerning procedures for starting legal proceedings against transgressors.