Political Systems of Oman & Saudi Arabia (GCC) PDF

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENTS OF GCC: POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF OMAN & SAUDI ARABIA FALL 2024/2025 BACKGROUND - OMAN Oman received independence from the United Kingdom in 1951. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Oman is an absolute monarchy, and the Sultan is the head of state and government. The hereditary Sultan appoin...

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENTS OF GCC: POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF OMAN & SAUDI ARABIA FALL 2024/2025 BACKGROUND - OMAN Oman received independence from the United Kingdom in 1951. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Oman is an absolute monarchy, and the Sultan is the head of state and government. The hereditary Sultan appoints a cabinet to assist him and serves as the: 1. Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces 2. Prime Minister 3. Minister of Defense 4. Foreign Affairs 5. Finance  EXECUTIVE BRANCH Article 42 of the Constitution details the powers which the Sultan has. For example, the Sultan: 1. Maintains the rights and freedoms of its citizens; 2. Guarantees the rule of law; 3. Takes certain measures to counter any threat to the safety of the state or its territorial integrity; 4. Represents the state both internally and externally in all international relations; 5. Presides over the Council of Ministers or appoints a person to serve in that position; 6. Appoints and dismisses the deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and those of their rank; 7. Appoints and dismisses senior judges; 8. Declares peace or war; and 9. Issues and ratifies laws. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS The Council is made up of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and all the Ministers from each ministry. The Council is the body entrusted with implementing general state policies for economic, social and administrative developments. And it submits its recommendations to the Sultan. Upon confirmation of the Sultan, the Council supervises the enforcement of the laws, decisions and treaties. The Council oversees the administrative bodies of the state to ensure the correct performance of their duties and implementation of the law. The Sultan presides over the Council's sessions and has the right to entrust the chairmanship of sessions that he does not attend to one of the deputy Prime Ministers. If the Prime Minister and his Deputies are absent, the Sultan will authorize whoever he sees fit to chair the sessions. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The country has a bicameral assembly consisting of an appointed: 1. The Council of State (Majlis Al-Dawla) 2. The Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura) Bills must be approved and signed by the Sultan to become a law. THE COUNCIL OF STATE MAJLIS AL-DAWLA The Council of State (Majlis Al-Dawla) has 41 appointed members. Members are appointed by the Sultan for 4 years, renewable. Majlis Al-Dawla assists the government in the implementation of the overall development strategy and contributes to ascertaining the principles of the basic law of the state. THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MAJLIS AL-SHURA In November 1991, Sultan Qaboos established the Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura), to structure and broaden public participation in government. The Council has 83 elected members with only consultative tasks. Representatives were chosen in the following manner: 1. Local groups in each of the 59 districts sent forward the names of three nominees, whose credentials were reviewed by a cabinet committee. 2. These names were then forwarded to the Sultan, who made the final selection. Members are elected by majority vote for 4 years, renewable. THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MAJLIS AL-SHURA The Consultative Council serves as a channel of information between the people and the government ministries. It is empowered to review drafts of economic and social legislation prepared by service ministries, such as communications and housing, and to provide recommendations. It has no authority in the areas of foreign affairs, defense, security, and finances. JUDICIAL BRANCH Traditionally, Oman's judicial system has been solely based on the Sharia principles. This is particularly true in case of criminal law and personal laws. However, Oman generally follows commercial laws, drafted on the basis of international laws and principles, for settlement of commercial and business disputes. The judicial system consists of a three-tier hierarchy, with a: 1. Supreme Court in Muscat – The highest court in Oman 2. Six Courts of Appeal at Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar, Ibra, Ibri and Salalah 3. 45 Primary Courts in different provinces JUDICIAL BRANCH Judges are nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council and appointed by the Sultan. Article 70 of the Constitution: ‘All judgements made by the judiciary must be in line with the Constitution. Any law must not be dealt with in a manner that violates the Constitution’ All judgements made by the judicial entities are done in the name of His Majesty the Sultan. Failure or delay in executing these judgments is considered a crime punishable by law. BACKGROUND – SAUDI ARABIA On September 23, 1932, the country gained independence and was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An Islamic state with Arabic as its national language and the Holy Quran as its constitution. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Saudi Arabia is a monarchy based on Islam. The government is headed by the King, who is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. The King appoints a Crown Prince to help him with his duties. The Crown Prince is second in line to the throne. The King governs with the help of the Council of Ministers, also called the Cabinet. EXECUTIVE BRANCH The executive authority is vested in the king. He is responsible for the administration of the country and is advised by the Council of Ministers, which is responsible for implementing government policies and overseeing the various departments of the government. The council's headquarters is in Riyadh. It comprises the President of the Council of Ministers (the King), his deputies, active ministers, and the King's counselors appointed by royal decree. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS All ministers are appointed and dismissed by royal decree. The ministers are appointed every four years and may continue for more until relieved by the King. It may also include many members of the royal family. There are currently 22 government ministers. The duties of the ministers are stipulated in Articles 57 and 58 of the Basic Law of Governance. Resolutions of the Council of Ministers become final after the King’s approval. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Article 24 of the Law of the Council of Ministers identifies the Council as the ultimate executive authority, with full jurisdiction over all executive and management matters, including: 1. Monitoring the implementation of regulations, by-laws, and resolutions 2. Creating and organizing public institutions 3. Following up on the implementation of the general development plan THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MAJLIS AL-SHURA The Consultative Council has 150 members and a chairman, all appointed by the King for four-year terms, half of them at least have to be new members. The King has the power to restructure and dissolve the Majlis as he deems appropriate. Twelve women members served as part-time advisors in the council, but, in 2011, King Abdullah allowed women to be appointed full members in the next term, in 2013. THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MAJLIS AL-SHURA The primary function of the Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura) is to advise the King on policy matters, whether domestic or international and on treaties. A council resolution is made official by a majority and is then forwarded to the Prime Minister for consideration by the Council of Ministers. If both councils (the Consultative Council and the Council of Ministers) agree on a decision, the resolution will be sent to the King for his approval. In the event of a disagreement, the King decides what is appropriate. It takes at least ten members of the Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura) to propose a law, a policy, or a draft amendment. THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MAJLIS AL-SHURA There are twelve committees in the Majlis Al- Shura, which deals with: 1. Human rights 7. Foreign affairs 2. Education 8. Security 3. Culture 9. Administration 4. Information 10. Islamic affairs 5. Health, and social affairs 11. Economy and industry 6. Services and public utilities 12. Finance JUDICIAL BRANCH The judicial system in Saudi Arabia is based on Islamic law (Sharia). Article 46 of the Basic Law of Governance identifies the judiciary as an independent authority. Meaning that the decisions of the judges are not subject to any authority other than Islamic jurisdiction. In reality, however, the King has the power to intervene and affect any judicial proceedings through royal decrees. JUDICIAL BRANCH The Supreme Council of Justice represents the judiciary branch of the government. It consists of twelve judges, all of whom are appointed by the King, according to recommendations from the council members. The King acts as the last resort of appeal and has the power to pardon. The Supreme Council is empowered to appoint, promote, and transfer judges. JUDICIAL BRANCH The Saudi court system consists of: 1. Sharia Courts ◦ Which hear most cases in the Islamic legal system. 2. General Courts ◦ Ruling on criminal cases and real estate. 3. Court of Appeal ◦ Three or more judges settle, by majority decision, submitted disputes. DEBATE QUESTION “Bahrain and Qatar should’ve been included as a part of the UAE.” GROUP I GROUP C FOR AGAINST 1. Salem Ali Ahmed Binomair Almheiri 1. Mansour Khalfan Ali Saeed Alneyadi 2. Sara Salah Khamis Humaid Al-Ali 2. Mayed Sultan Salim Binkhulaif Alteneiji 3. Alyah Hassan Mohamed Hassan Alzaabi 3. Khalid Ahmed Naser Saeed Alotaiba 4. Ziqi Li DEBATE QUESTION “The GCC should adopt a unified currency.” GROUP J GROUP F FOR AGAINST 1. Ghala Mohamed Salim Ali Almutawa 1. Rouda Abdulla Saif Obaid Al-ali 2. Mouza Arif Ali Binkhalfan Alzaabi 2. Mahra Mohamed Mousa Alraeesi Alblooshi 3. Sheikha Saif Mohammed Hayat Abdulhakim 3. Hessa Abdulla Mohammad Alhelli Alhajeri 4. Hessa Mohamad Mudhfar Mohamad Y. Sultan DEBATE QUESTION “Musandam and Madha should be gifted by Oman to the UAE in exchange for an equal amount of territory in the other direction.” GROUP K GROUP A FOR AGAINST 1. Mohamed Salem Mohamed K. Alzeyoudi 1. Omar Rashid Omar Rashid Alkharji 2. Abdulaziz Ahmed Said Al-saadi 2. Rashid Suhail Said Salem Alameri 3. Abdulla Matar Mohammed Saeed Alketbi 3. Hassan Sultan Hassan Ibrahim Althahab 4. Abdulla Rashid Abdalla Alkhouri Alnaqbi 4. Omar Obaid Saeed Mohamed Alhathboor THE END