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Bahrain nod for quizzing of ministers in the open
Two small nuggets from Arabia today on the incremental march of personal liberty. This is one of them.
MANAMA — In order to maintain transparency of its functioning, the Chamber of Deputies approved a draft law, facilitating the questioning of ministers and officials during its sessions, and not in camera. The Chamber agreed that there was a need to enhance transparency and make the public witness to the interrogation of ministers and officials during open sessions.

The quizzing is carried out by parliamentary committees during their meetings while the rest of the deputies only know about it from a report that is discussed in the Chamber session.

The questioning of ministers in Chamber sessions would help ascertain deputies accusations and the ministers defence, said Deputy Dr Saadi Mohammed. However, Deputy Dr Isa Mutawa, said quizzing by parliamentary committees was more organised and would help prevent the spread of misinformation. Deputy Mohammed Khalid disagreed and alleged that ministers did not take MPs seriously during in-camera sessions.
Posted by: Steve White 2006-03-07
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=144693