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 37Resolution No. 6 of 1980 issuing the Implementing Regulation for the Land Registration Law issued by Legislative Decree No. 15 of 1979.
The aim of this Implementing Regulation is to regulate land registration. This Regulation is composed of 4 Sections divided into 44 articles. Section I deals with land ownership, maps, documents and data including information related to wells, palms and other cultivated plants. Section II refers to the legal procedures and administrative steps necessary for land registration. Section III provides for ownership documents. Section IV pertains to land division and expropriation.
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. 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.
Decree No. 7 of 1970 issuing the Land Development Regulating Law.
The aim of this Law is to regulate land development. This Law is composed of 11 articles and 2 Annexes. Article 1 deals with terms and definitions. Article 2 prohibits carrying out any operation of land development unless a handwritten permit from the Coordination and Planning Council has been obtained. Articles 3-7 pertain to the following: (a) submittal of applications for land development; (b) approval of applications; and (c) validity of the permit. Articles 8 and 9 contain offences and penalties.
Resolution No. 2 of 1979 concerning the taking away and transportation of sand, pebbles and stones necessary for the filling up with of wetlands and lands covered with marine water as well as for construction operations.
This Resolution aims at protecting the soil and the environment. This Resolution is composed of 15 articles. Articles 1 and 2 allow the transportation, removal and taking away of sand, pebbles and stones only from the zones defined in article 3 of this Resolution and only after obtaining a licence from the Temporary Central Municipality Authority. Article 3 defines the zones from which it is allowed to take away or transport the aforementioned materials. Article 5 specifies the zones from which it is allowed to take away or transport agricultural sand.