By Samar Al-Muqren
Al-Jazirah
WHENEVER I read a news item published under the title "Shoura Council approves" or Shoura Council" rejects, I get astonished why some people, including journalists, men of letters and other intellectuals, in the country are still ignorant of the council's powers and its modus operandi.
These people must be aware that the council is just a consultative body that has no right to approve or reject anything.
The rejection of the council of any issue simply means that the council has decided not to discuss it in its general assembly. It does not mean that the council has rejected the issue outright or that its rejection is final and cannot be contested.
In the same manner, the council's approval will only mean that it has agreed to take up particular issue for discussion, but not its endorsement.
The council has no right or powers to issue any law or regulation. Its entire work is to discuss proposals, annual reports of the ministries and government departments and studies submitted by various sub-committees.
With all sincerity, I hope that my colleagues in the media would go through the council's statute, which is available on the Internet. They should carefully read all the articles of this statute but should particularly focus on Article 15, which clearly defines the Shoura Council's role and powers.
We should also note that a number of laws, regulations and decisions that are issued by the government never passed under the council's dome.
What I want to say here is that every body or organ should be aware of its boundaries and limits. We should not dump everything on the council. We should not make it responsible for something that is outside its authority and jurisdiction.
We always tend to put the blame on the council, completely oblivious of the powers vested in it.
The readiness of the council to discuss any law or system does not mean that this law or system has been adopted and become effective.
Sometimes local newspapers publish reports that say the council has approved a certain regulation. This does not mean that this law or system has become effective, which is totally incorrect.
The statute of the council, except Article No. 3, has never been amended since its launch by a royal decree during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. Article No. 3 stipulates the appointment of women members who shall constitute 20 percent of the council's membership.
There are, of course, some minor alterations in the council's internal system but the other items remain intact.
In short, we should not ask the council to do things that are far beyond its power, authority or jurisdiction.
I have a strong conviction that a number of important issues were put under the dome of the council for discussion.
The council's discussions have played a key role in moving the stagnant waters particularly in recent years after the appointment of the women members.
However, it is important for us, the journalists and media personalities, to be aware of the council's real role and limitations.
The new reports and analyses published about the council should be within this framework and boundaries.
