The First Interim Basic Law was promulgated in Qatar in 1970 and on 19 April 1972 the interim amended basic law was issued so as to cope with the massive changes following the abrogation of the Anglo-Qatari treaty and the emergence of new renaissance.
During the period 1995-1996 some Amiri Decisions were issued amending certain provisions in the Basic law that deal with the succession of rule in the State, along with other provisions that deal with the Council of Ministers, Shura Council, and the judiciary.
On July 12, 1999, His Highness The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Amir of Qatar at the time, issued Amiri Decision No. 11 on the formation of a committee for the drafting of the permanent constitution, which was formed of 32 experts academics and thinkers. On July 2002, the committee presented HH The Father Amir with the draft permanent constitution of the State of Qatar.
The referendum on the Draft Permanent Constitution took place on April 29, 2003. The large turnout at the ballot boxes clearly reflected the response of the Qatari people to the appeal of HH The Father Amir to come and vote in a referendum to adopt the constitution. The result, of the referendum was 96.6% of the votes.
On June 8, 2004, the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar was issued, setting out in its preamble the foundations of democratic rule and laying out the basic pillar for the society, embodiment of popular participation, guaranteeing the rights and freedoms for the citizens.
On 15 October 2024, His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his speech at the opening of the 53rd annual session of the Shura Council, called on all citizens, both male and female, to participate in the popular referendum on the draft constitutional amendments to enhance popular participation in public affairs, ensure national unity, and recognize equal citizenship.
On 29 October 2024, HH The Amir issued Decree No. (87) of 2024 calling on all citizens who have completed the age of 18 to participate in a general referendum on the constitutional amendments to the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar. The decree establishes the "General Referendum Committee" at the Ministry of Interior, which shall assume the function of organizing and managing the referendum and announcing its results.
The committee led by Minister of Interior, with the membership of Minister of Justice and the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, a member of the Shura Council to be chosen by the Speaker of the Shura Council, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, a judge to be chosen by the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the Director of the Elections Department at the Ministry of Interior.
On November 5, 2024, a general referendum on the constitutional amendments was held, with broad participation from all members of society. This referendum reflected the Qatari people's response to HH The Amir's noble call and showed their active participation in the country's public affairs, in the hope of fulfilling their aspirations for progress, prosperity, and sustainable development.
The constitutional amendments received an approval rate of 90.6% of the valid votes, which HH The Amir ratified on November 6, 2024, after reviewing the result of the referendum.