Human rights in Qatar

Sharia is a main source of Qatari legislation, according to Qatar's constitution.{{cite web|title=The Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar|url=http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=25754&LawId=2284&language=en|publisher=Government of Qatar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075128/http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=25754&LawId=2284&language=en|archive-date=6 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=Constitution of Qatar|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=9626|quote=According to Article 1: Qatar is an independent Arab country. Islam is its religion and Sharia law is the main source of its legislation.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006153437/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=9626|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} Sharia is applied to statutes pertaining to family law, inheritance, and several criminal acts (including adultery, robbery and murder). In some cases in Sharia-based family courts, a woman's testimony is worth half a man's and in some cases a female and male testimony is not accepted at all if the witness is not deemed reliable.{{cite web|title=Qatar Gender Equality Profile|url=http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Qatar-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf|publisher=UNICEF|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629121154/http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Qatar-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf|archive-date=29 June 2014|df=dmy-all}} In 2002, a National Human Rights Committee, a government-appointed organisation, was established to supposedly investigate abuses. Codified family law was introduced in 2006. In practice, Qatar's legal system is a mixture of civil law and Islamic law.{{cite web|title=The World Factbook|date=16 November 2021|publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/171743.pdf|title=Qatar|publisher=US Department of State|df=dmy-all}}

The Qatar delegation to the UNHCR claimed that flogging sentences are not given in Qatar, though Amnesty International reports unnamed "foreign nationals" being given flogging sentences as a punishment for alcohol consumption or illicit sexual relations.{{cite web|title=Amnesty International Annual Report 2012 – Qatar|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbe391669.html|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=19 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922191234/http://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbe391669.html|archive-date=22 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Qatar|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/research/reports/annual-report-qatar-2010?page=2|publisher=Amnesty International|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925125516/http://www.amnestyusa.org/research/reports/annual-report-qatar-2010?page=2|archive-date=25 September 2015|df=dmy-all}} The US Department of State reported that in 2019 there were 375 cases of flogging as a punishment.{{cite web |title=QATAR 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/QATAR-2020-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf |website=US Department of State}} In April 2013, a Muslim expatriate was sentenced to 40 lashes for alcohol consumption.{{cite magazine|title=Qatar sentences man to 40 lashes for drinking alcohol|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-sentences-man-40-lashes-for-drinking-alcohol-498986.html|magazine=Arabian Business|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120716/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-sentences-man-40-lashes-for-drinking-alcohol-498986.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Qatar sentences man to lashes for drinking alcohol|work=Al Akhbar English |url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/15593|publisher=Al Akhbar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006143325/http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/15593|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Qatar court orders lashing of Muslim barber over drinking alcohol|date=21 April 2013|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/22/Qatar-to-lash-Muslim-barber-over-drinking-alcohol-.html|publisher=Al Arabiya|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029020349/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/22/Qatar-to-lash-Muslim-barber-over-drinking-alcohol-.html|archive-date=29 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} In June 2014, a Muslim expatriate was sentenced to 40 lashes for consuming alcohol and driving under the influence.{{cite magazine|title=Indian expat sentenced to 40 lashes in Qatar for drink-driving|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/indian-expat-sentenced-40-lashes-in-qatar-for-drink-driving-552601.html|magazine=Arabian Business|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115210/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/indian-expat-sentenced-40-lashes-in-qatar-for-drink-driving-552601.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}

Stoning is no longer a legal punishment in Qatar, and has never been used.{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/03/dialogue-qatar-experts-human-rights-committee-commend-legislative-revision-efforts-and#:~:text=Qatar%20had%20never%20used%20flogging,was%20not%20one%20of%20them.|title=In Dialogue with Qatar, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend Legislative Revision Efforts and Ask about Stance on Capital Punishment|date=1 March 2022|work=ohchr.org|publisher=United Nations}}{{cite web|title=Special report: The punishment was death by stoning. The crime? Having a mobile phone|website=Independent.co.uk|date=29 September 2013|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/special-report-the-punishment-was-death-by-stoning-the-crime-having-a-mobile-phone-8846585.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006003044/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/special-report-the-punishment-was-death-by-stoning-the-crime-having-a-mobile-phone-8846585.html|archive-date=6 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |title=2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Qatar |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/47d92c59aa.html |website=Refworld |access-date=19 November 2022}} Apostasy is a crime punishable by the death penalty in Qatar.{{cite news|author=Jenifer Fenton|url=http://iheu.org/religious-law-prison-for-blasphemy-severe-sexual-inequalilty-qatars-human-rights-review/|title=Religious law, prison for "blasphemy", severe sexual inequalilty: Qatar's human rights review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318210908/http://iheu.org/religious-law-prison-for-blasphemy-severe-sexual-inequalilty-qatars-human-rights-review/|archive-date=18 March 2015|df=dmy-all}} Blasphemy is punishable by up to seven years in prison and proselytizing any religion other than Islam can be punished by up to 10 years in prison. Homosexuality is a crime punishable in sharia by the death penalty for Muslims, though in Qatar the penalty for consenting males is up to 5 years in prison.{{cite web|title=What are the worst countries in the world to be gay?|date=20 May 2014 |url=http://unitedexplanations.org/english/2014/05/20/what-are-the-worst-countries-in-the-world-to-be-gay/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110231905/http://unitedexplanations.org/english/2014/05/20/what-are-the-worst-countries-in-the-world-to-be-gay/|archive-date=10 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}

Alcohol consumption is partially legal in Qatar; some five-star luxury hotels are allowed to sell alcohol to their non-Muslim customers.{{cite news |author=Alex Delmar-Morgan |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203686204577115923124889872 |title=Qatar, Unveiling Tensions, Suspends Sale of Alcohol |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119015821/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203686204577115923124889872 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |author=Jenifer Fenton |url=http://www.arabist.net/blog/2012/1/15/qatars-impromptu-alcohol-ban.html |title=Qatar's Impromptu Alcohol Ban |publisher=The Arabist |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117011856/http://www.arabist.net/blog/2012/1/15/qatars-impromptu-alcohol-ban.html |archive-date=17 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }} Muslims are not allowed to consume alcohol in Qatar, and Muslims caught consuming alcohol are liable to flogging or deportation. Non-Muslim expatriates can obtain a permit to purchase alcohol for personal consumption. The Qatar Distribution Company (a subsidiary of Qatar Airways) is permitted to import alcohol and pork; it operates the sole liquor store in the country, which also sells pork to holders of liquor licences.{{cite web |url=http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |title=Purchasing Alcohol in Qatar |publisher=Qatar Visitor |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501044507/http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |archive-date=1 May 2011 }} Qatari officials had also indicated a willingness to allow alcohol in "fan zones" at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |title=Qatar would 'welcome' Israel in 2022 |first=Tamara |last=Walid |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/qatar-would-welcome-israel-in-2022 |newspaper=The National |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=10 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531214338/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/qatar-would-welcome-israel-in-2022 |archive-date=31 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}

Up until December 2011, restaurants on The Pearl Island (a man-made island near Doha) were allowed to serve alcoholic drinks, but they were then told to stop selling alcohol.{{cite news |author = James M. Dorsey |url = http://www.eurasiareview.com/16012012-debate-questions-emir%E2%80%99s-powers-to-shape-qatar%E2%80%99s-positioning-as-sports-hub-and-sponsor-of-revolts-analysis |title = Debate Questions Emir's Powers To Shape Qatar's Positioning As Sports Hub And Sponsor of Revolts – Analysis |publisher = The Eurasia Review |date = 17 January 2012 |access-date = 17 January 2012 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130116235828/http://www.eurasiareview.com/16012012-debate-questions-emir%E2%80%99s-powers-to-shape-qatar%E2%80%99s-positioning-as-sports-hub-and-sponsor-of-revolts-analysis/ |archive-date = 16 January 2013 }} No explanation was given for the ban. Speculation about the reason includes the government's desire to project a more pious image in advance of the country's first election of a royal advisory body, and rumours of a financial dispute between the government and the resort's developers.

In 2014, Qatar launched a modesty campaign to remind tourists of the modest dress code.{{cite news|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|title='Leggings Are Not Pants' Qatar's New Modesty Campaign Aimed at Westerners'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/05/28/qatar-modesty-world-cup_n_5405054.html|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=28 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006094853/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/05/28/qatar-modesty-world-cup_n_5405054.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} Female tourists are advised not to wear leggings, miniskirts, sleeveless dresses and short or tight clothing in public. Men are advised against wearing only shorts and singlets.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-27599689| title=Qatar launches tourist modesty scheme on social media| date=28 May 2014 |url-status=live |website=BBC News Online|publisher = BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005171657/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-27599689 | archive-date = 5 October 2022 |df=dmy-all}}

As of 2014, certain provisions of the Qatari Criminal Code allow punishments such as flogging and stoning to be imposed as criminal sanctions. The UN Committee Against Torture found that these practices constituted a breach of the obligations imposed by the UN Convention Against Torture.{{cite journal |last1= Kelly|first1= Tobias|year= 2009|title= The UN Committee against Torture: Human Rights Monitoring and the Legal Recognition of Cruelty |journal= Human Rights Quarterly|volume=313 |issue= 3|pages= 777–800 |doi= 10.1353/hrq.0.0094|hdl= 20.500.11820/3b940ee1-e99f-4ab6-bbb1-37face2fae2c|s2cid= 145632406|url= https://www.pure.ed.ac.uk/ws/files/8478240/KELLY_2009_The_UN_committee_against_torture.pdf}}{{Cite report | date = 25 July 2006 | title = Conclusions and Recommendations: Qatar | url = http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?docid=453776c75 | publisher = UN Committee Against Torture | docket = U.N. Doc. CAT/C/QAT/CO/1 | access-date =9 January 2012 | quote = "Certain provisions of the Criminal Code allow punishments such as flogging and stoning to be imposed as criminal sanctions by judicial and administrative authorities. These practices constitute a breach of the obligations imposed by the Convention. The Committee notes with interest that authorities are presently considering amendments to the Prison Act that would abolish flogging." (Par. 12)}} Qatar retains the death penalty, mainly for threats against national security.

File:Migrant workers in West Bay Doha.jpg area of Doha]]

{{further|Slavery in Qatar|Modern slavery}}

According to the US State Department, expatriate workers from nations throughout Asia and parts of Africa are routinely subjected to forced labour and, in some instances, prostitution. Most of these people voluntarily migrate to Qatar as low-skilled labourers or domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions indicative of involuntary servitude. Some of the more common labour rights violations include beatings, withholding of payment, charging workers for benefits which are nominally the responsibility of the amir, severe restrictions on freedom of movement (such as the confiscation of passports, travel documents, or exit permits), arbitrary detention, threats of legal action, and sexual assault. Many migrant workers arriving for work in Qatar have paid exorbitant fees to recruiters in their home countries – a practice that makes workers highly vulnerable to forced labour once in Qatar.{{cite book|title= Human Trafficking Report 2011|access-date= 2012-01-21|date= June 2011|chapter= Country Narratives|publisher= Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, United States Department of State|url= https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164233.htm|df= dmy-all}} {{PD-notice}}

A 2012 report by Human Rights Watch concluded that hundreds of thousands of mostly South Asian migrant workers in construction in Qatar risk serious exploitation and abuse, sometimes amounting to forced labour.{{cite web | title=Qatar: Migrant Construction Workers Face Abuse | website=Human Rights Watch | date=12 June 2012 | url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/12/qatar-migrant-construction-workers-face-abuse | access-date=10 January 2021}} In 2020, Human Rights Watch drafted out a report that claimed the nation’s initiatives in labor market by allowing migrant workers to change job without employer permission and setting a higher and non-discriminatory minimum wage. Also the report included data regarding enforcement of rudimentary midday summer working hours ban.{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=Qatar: Events of 2020 |date=2021-01-13 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/qatar |work=English |language=en |access-date=2022-05-16}}

Like other Persian Gulf nations, Qatar has sponsorship laws, which have been widely criticised as "modern-day slavery."{{cite web | title=Trafficking in Persons Report 2008 – Qatar (Tier 3) | url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,QAT,4562d8cf2,484f9a3732,0.html | access-date=6 December 2008 | date=4 June 2008 | publisher=Refworld | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426055810/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,QAT,4562d8cf2,484f9a3732,0.html | archive-date=26 April 2011 }} Under the provisions of Qatar's sponsorship law, sponsors have the unilateral power to cancel workers' residency permits, deny workers' ability to change employers, report a worker as "absconded" to police authorities, and deny permission to leave the country. As a result, sponsors may restrict workers' movements and workers may be afraid to report abuses or claim their rights, which contribute to their forced labour situation.

Domestic servants are particularly vulnerable to trafficking since they are isolated inside homes and are not covered under the provisions of the labour law, but some reforms introduced in September 2020 extend to all workers, including those for ending employment contracts and changing jobs.{{cite web | title=Qatar: Significant Labor and Kafala Reforms | website=Human Rights Watch | date=24 September 2020 | url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/24/qatar-significant-labor-and-kafala-reforms | access-date=10 January 2021}} Qatar is also a destination for women who migrate for legitimate purposes and subsequently become involved in prostitution, but the extent to which these women are subjected to forced prostitution is unknown. Some of these victims may be runaway domestic workers who have fallen prey to forced prostitution by individuals who exploit their illegal status.

The Qatari government states that it is doing a good job with regards to human rights{{cite web|url= http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20060503034405|title= Qatar: National Human Rights Committee report|access-date= 2008-03-25|date= 3 May 2006|publisher= Qatar National Human Rights Committee|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080821043954/http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20060503034405|archive-date= 21 August 2008|df= dmy-all}}. According to the source at zawya.com, the web link "...is the unofficial translation by The Peninsula team of the 57-page Arabic text of the report released by the National Human Rights Committee yesterday." and treatment of labourers. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2002 to safeguard and consolidate human rights for everyone subject to the jurisdiction under the state.{{cite web|date=26 January 2012|title=NHRC|url=http://www.nhrc-qa.org/en/nhrc.aspx?page=48|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126144354/http://www.nhrc-qa.org/en/nhrc.aspx?page=48|archive-date=26 January 2012|access-date=26 April 2018|df=dmy-all}} In a bid to combat human trafficking, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned established the Qatar Foundation on Combating Human Trafficking (QFCHT). To promote more awareness in this area, the Ritz-Carlton Doha, created the World's largest Cake for the QFCHT Sculpture.{{cite web |url=http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093382818 |title=Qatar – Biggest cake to find place in Guinness Book |access-date=2011-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320035437/http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093382818 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

File:BarwaAlBaraha1.jpg

Qatari contracting agency Barwa is building a residential area for labourers known as Barwa Al Baraha (also called Workers City). The project was launched after a recent scandal in Dubai's Labor camps, and aims to provide a reasonable standard of living as defined by the new Human Rights Legislation.{{cite web|url=http://www.iloveqatar.net/forum/read.php?28,2540,2540 |title=Qatar: National Human Rights Committee Support Expats |access-date=2008-08-04 |date=18 June 2008 |publisher=The Peninsula via iLoveQatar.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413165227/http://www.iloveqatar.net/forum/read.php?28%2C2540%2C2540 |archive-date=13 April 2009 }} The overall cost of the project is estimated at around $1.1 billion and will be an integrated city in the Industrial area of Doha. Along with 4.25 square metres of living space per person, the residential project will provide recreational areas and services for labourers. Phase one of the project is set to be completed at the end of 2008 while all phases will be complete by mid 2010.{{Update inline|date=December 2024}}{{cite news|first= D|last= Bowman|title= Qatar to build $1.1bn laborer city|url= http://www.arabianbusiness.com/512568-qatar-to-build-11bn-labourer-city|work= ArabianBusiness.com|publisher= ITP Digital Publishing|location= Dubai|date= 2 March 2008|access-date= 2008-03-25|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081103064334/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/512568-qatar-to-build-11bn-labourer-city|archive-date= 3 November 2008|df= dmy-all}}

Qatar Airways, the country's national airline, has long been criticised for its treatment of its lower level employees including flight attendants. Abuses include firing employees without apparent reason, low wages, overworking hours. Employees have been reported to be unlawfully detained by the airline without charge. Deportations by the airline of its employees to their home countries without reason have been reported.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/19/glass-ceiling-in-the-sky-qatar-airways-pregnant-employees?CMP=fb_gu|title=Glass ceiling in the sky: Qatar Airways' problem with pregnant cabin crew|first=Gwyn|last=Topham|date=19 June 2015|access-date=19 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221143118/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/19/glass-ceiling-in-the-sky-qatar-airways-pregnant-employees?CMP=fb_gu|archive-date=21 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}

In 2019, a Qatari diplomat working as a medical attaché since 2007 at the Qatar embassy in London was accused of racially discriminating against a pensioner working at the embassy and treating him like his "personal slave". The diplomat, Abdullah Al Ansari, accepted that Mohamoud Ahmed, the pensioner, would perform tasks such as fetching Al Ansari's shopping, dropping off his dry cleaning and picking up his children from school during the week.{{cite web|url= https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/qatari-diplomat-treated-pensioner-like-his-personal-slave-1.836257|title=Qatari diplomat treated pensioner like his 'personal slave'|date=12 March 2019|access-date=12 March 2019}}

In 2021 the Foreign Ministry issued guidance for citizens travelling abroad with servants, nannies or drivers.{{Cite web|title=Foreign Ministry provides guidance to Qatari citizens wishing to travel abroad|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/06/2021/Foreign-Ministry-provides-guidance-to-Qatari-citizens-wishing-to-travel-abroad|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.thepeninsulaqatar.com|date=10 June 2021}}

{{anchor|2022 World Cup}}

{{Further|2022 FIFA World Cup controversies}}

The construction boom in Qatar began well in advance of Qatar winning the hosting rights to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. When the Emir Sheikh Hamad Al Thani took control of Qatar from his father in 1995 he opened Qatar up to foreign investment. He began the construction of the world's biggest LNG terminals in Ras Laffan with the granting of concessions to ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and Total S.A. Over 100,000 workers were brought into the country to build Ras Laffan. An estimated 1 million workers, with Qatar's total population being 2 million, are currently living in Qatar helping to build the country. In 1995, when Sheikh Hamad took control, the total migrant population was around 370,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.escwa.un.org/popin/members/qatar.pdf |title=The demographic Profile of Qatar |date=2011 |publisher=United Nations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228062411/http://www.escwa.un.org/popin/members/qatar.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2013 |df=dmy-all |access-date=8 September 2015 }}

In 2013, Amnesty International published reports showing that unpaid migrant workers were left to go hungry. According to the report, workers are being "treated like cattle."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/17/qatar-world-cup-worker-amnesty-report|title=Qatar 2022 World Cup workers 'treated like cattle', Amnesty report finds|website=TheGuardian.com|date=17 November 2013|access-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109164119/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/17/qatar-world-cup-worker-amnesty-report |archive-date=9 January 2014|df=dmy-all}} According to a report by the Guardian, based on documents obtained at the Nepalese embassy in Qatar, dozens of Nepalese migrant labourers had died in Qatar within the span of a few weeks around September 2013, and thousands more were enduring appalling labour abuses.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/revealed-qatars-world-cup-slaves|title=Revealed: Qatar's World Cup 'slaves', Exclusive: Abuse and exploitation of migrant workers preparing emirate for 2022|website=TheGuardian.com|date=25 September 2013|access-date=7 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730125054/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/revealed-qatars-world-cup-slaves |archive-date=30 July 2017|df=dmy-all}} According to their analysis, current construction practices will have resulted in over 4,000 deaths by the time of the 2022 event. This figure is denied by the Qatari authorities, who argue that it is misleading since it includes all causes of death in a population of close to one million and over an eight-year period.{{cite web |last1=Greenslade |first1=Roy |title=Qatar outraged by Washington Post 'myth' about World Cup deaths |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jun/03/qatar-outraged-by-washington-post-myth-about-world-cup-deaths |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 July 2020 |date=3 June 2015}} As of December 2013, FIFA has investigated but taken no action to force Qatar to improve worker conditions.

British law firm DLA Piper was instructed in 2012 by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, President of Qatar Foundation, to undertake a review of migrant worker conditions. Following the recommendations made, Qatar Foundation created the Migrant Workers Welfare Charter, which applies minimum requirements with respect to the recruitment, living and working conditions, as well as the general treatment of workers engaged in construction and other projects. The mandatory standards will be incorporated into agreements between Qatar Foundation and all its contractors, who are required to comply with the requirements and rules. Contractors and sub-contractors found to be violating the regulations have been blacklisted from future tenders.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/11/qatar-world-cup-2022-workers-welfare-standards |title=Qatar commits to new welfare standards for World Cup workers |date=12 February 2014 |newspaper=Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225003605/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/11/qatar-world-cup-2022-workers-welfare-standards |archive-date=25 February 2017 |df=dmy-all }}

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the 2022 World Cup organising committee, followed this measure in mid-2014 with its own regulations and blacklisted a number of companies. A BBC reporting crew was jailed for two days without charge, after attempting to meet migrant workers.{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/05/18/workers-group-calls-fifa-sponsors-responsible-for-qatar-abuses/OJ0BTisYs2boaXaWA9SujM/story.html|title=Workers' group calls FIFA sponsors responsible for Qatar abuses|work=Boston Globe|access-date=19 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212235130/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/05/18/workers-group-calls-fifa-sponsors-responsible-for-qatar-abuses/OJ0BTisYs2boaXaWA9SujM/story.html|archive-date=12 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}

In August 2015, the Ministry of Labour announced that all companies in Qatar would be required to pay their employees by electronic transfers. The rule is aimed at contractors who withhold salaries or make late payments.{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/world-cup-2022-host-qatar-to-start-enforcing-wage-protection-system-from-november |title=World Cup 2022 host Qatar to start enforcing Wage Protection System from November |date=2 September 2015 |publisher=The National |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905073158/http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/world-cup-2022-host-qatar-to-start-enforcing-wage-protection-system-from-november |archive-date=5 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}

The Department for Human Rights at the Ministry of Labour, and the National Committee for Human Rights are responsible for the monitoring of abuses in Qatar.

In January 2022, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) launched "Together We Work" campaign to spread the awareness about knowledge of workers' rights and duties. The campaign highlighted legal amendments in Qatar legislation which affirmed the protection of workers' rights.{{Cite web|title=NHRC Launches "Together We Work" Campaign – NHRC|url=https://nhrc-qa.org/en/nhrc-launches-together-we-work-campaign/|access-date=2022-01-03|language=en-US|archive-date=21 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121022132/https://nhrc-qa.org/en/nhrc-launches-together-we-work-campaign/|url-status=dead}}

On 16 March 2022, FIFA and Qatar's Ministry of Labour met in order to discuss the reforms taking place in Qatar's labour market. According to the latest report drafted by ESPN, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “I am pleased to see the strong commitment from the Qatari authorities to ensure the reforms are fully implemented across labor market”.

Qatar becoming the destination for the 2022 World Cup escalated the issue of human rights for migrant workers.{{Cite journal |last=Ganji |first=Sarath K. |date=December 2016 |title=Leveraging the World Cup: Mega Sporting Events, Human Rights Risk, and Worker Welfare Reform in Qatar |journal=Journal on Migration and Human Security |language=en |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=221–259 |doi=10.1177/233150241600400403 |s2cid=219950252 |issn=2331-5024|doi-access=free }} Between 500,000 and 1.5 million migrant workers were employed to build the stadium. About 1,200 migrants died during the project between 2010 and 2013. The Qatar government did not take ownership of these deaths. Migrant workers involved in the world cup were forced into labor, some human trafficked, and kept against their will. Conditions of labor and number of wages was exaggerated to attract laborers; this requirement practice was not regulated by any organization.{{Cite journal |last=Millward |first=Peter |date=September 2017 |title=World Cup 2022 and Qatar's construction projects: Relational power in networks and relational responsibilities to migrant workers |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0011392116645382 |journal=Current Sociology |language=en |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=756–776 |doi=10.1177/0011392116645382 |s2cid=148380028 |issn=0011-3921}}

Contractors advertise the work and rates. Qatar uses the kafala system. This system gives the network (in this case the contractor) the power to decide the treatment of the migrant workers and how they operate. The government does not get involved in the treatment. Workers were given dirty living conditions with 12 to one room and were often left with no food or pay.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-25 |title=Revealed: Qatar's World Cup 'slaves' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/revealed-qatars-world-cup-slaves |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} FIFA has changed executive members and added more people to their committee because of what has happened in Qatar.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-10 |title=Fifa faces legal challenge over Qatar migrant workers |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/10/fifa-faces-legal-challenge-over-qatar-migrant-workers-world-cup-2022 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

Amid constant human rights criticisms, Qatar introduced migrant reforms that are applied to workers of all sections, including domestic workers, regardless of their nationality. These new reforms came into effect from March 2021. In August 2020 Qatar abolished the kafala system and introduced labor reforms. Under these reforms workers can change jobs without employer’s permission and are now paid a basic minimum wage regardless of their nationality. The basic minimum wage is set at 1,000 QAR. Allowances for food and accommodation must be provided by employers, which are 300 QAR and 500 QAR respectively.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-24 |title=Qatar: Significant Labor and Kafala Reforms |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/24/qatar-significant-labor-and-kafala-reforms |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}

Qatar introduced a wage protection system to ensure the employers are complying with the reforms. The wage protection system monitors the workers in the private sector. This new system has reduced wage abuses and disputes among migrant labours.

According to Amnesty International, in two different investigations on the working conditions of migrant workers, it was found that 94% of workers in Qatar are foreign nationals. Journalists found their conditions far below human standards.{{Cite web |title=Qatar: 'Treat us like we are human': Migrant workers in Qatar |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde22/011/2013/en/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Amnesty International |date=18 November 2013 |language=en}} The workers were placed in poor communities, often without basic amenities such as running water, sewage or electricity.{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |title=Qatar Accused of Human Rights Violations in Preparation for 2022 World Cup |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1854355-qatar-accused-of-human-rights-violations-in-preparation-for-2022-world-cup |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

Qatar is a destination for men and women from South Asia and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and labourers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation. The most common offence was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited. Other offences include bonded labour, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse.{{cite web

|title = Middle East :: Qatar

|url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/

|publisher = Central Intelligence Agency

|work = CIA World Factbook

|date = 8 February 2012

|access-date = 4 March 2012

|df = dmy-all

}}

According to the "Trafficking in Persons" report by the U.S. State Department, men and women who are lured into Qatar by promises of high wages are often forced into underpaid labour. The report states that Qatari laws against forced labour are rarely enforced, and that labour laws often result in the detention of victims in deportation centers, pending the completion of legal proceedings. The report places Qatar at tier 3, as one of the countries that neither satisfies the minimum standards, nor demonstrates significant efforts to come into compliance.{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/82807.htm|title=Country Narratives – Countries Q through Z|access-date=25 March 2008|date=12 June 2007|work=Trafficking in Persons Report|publisher=Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, United States Department of State|df=dmy-all}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite news |author=Labott, Elise |author2=Verjee, Zane |title=India escapes U.S. list of worst human traffickers|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/12/human.trafficking/index.html|work=CNN |date=12 June 2007|access-date=25 March 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406165608/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/12/human.trafficking/index.html|archive-date=6 April 2008|df=dmy-all}}

In a US State Department's report in 2021, Qatar government showcased an increase in its anti-trafficking capacity and was upgraded to a Tier-2 level nation. The strategies included reporting its first forced labour conviction under the anti-trafficking law, identifying victims and referring them to care at the new trafficking shelter.{{Cite web |title=Qatar |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/qatar/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}

The government maintains that it is setting the benchmark when it comes to human rights and treatment of labourers.{{cite web|url=http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20060503034405|title=Qatar: National Human Rights Committee report|access-date=25 March 2008|date=3 May 2006|publisher=Qatar National Human Rights Committee|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821043954/http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20060503034405|archive-date=21 August 2008|df=dmy-all}}. According to zawya.com, the web link "is the unofficial translation by The Peninsula team of the 57-page Arabic text of the report released by the National Human Rights Committee yesterday."

In common with other Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, employment sponsorship laws exist in Qatar. These laws have been widely described as akin to modern-day slavery.{{cite web |author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,QAT,4562d8cf2,484f9a3732,0.html |title=Refworld | Trafficking in Persons Report 2008 – Qatar |publisher=UNHCR |date=4 June 2008 |access-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426055810/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,QAT,4562d8cf2,484f9a3732,0.html |archive-date=26 April 2011 }} The sponsorship system (kafeel or kafala) exists throughout the GCC, apart from Bahrain, and means that a worker (not a tourist) may not enter the country without having a kafeel. They cannot leave without the kafeel{{'s}} permission. An exit permit must first be awarded by the sponsor, or kafeel. The sponsor has the right to ban the employee from entering Qatar within 2–5 years of his first departure. Various governmental sponsors have exercised their right to prevent employees from leaving the country, effectively holding them against their will for no good reason.[https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2014/12/29/qatar-finalising-new-sponsorship-law-for-foreign-workers "Qatar Finalising New Sponsorship Law for Foreign Workers."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220160627/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2014/12/29/qatar-finalising-new-sponsorship-law-for-foreign-workers |date=20 December 2016 }}, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, 2014. Web.

Some individuals after resigning have not been issued with exit permits, denying them the right to leave the country. Many sponsors do not allow the transfer of one employee to another sponsor. This does not apply to special sponsorship of a Qatar Financial Center-sponsored worker, where it is encouraged and regulated that sponsorship should be uninhibited and assistance should be given to allow for such transfers of sponsorship.

In May 2014, Ali bin Samikh al-Marri, Chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), said that Doha had officially announced the end of the current sponsorship system, and had passed a new law replacing it with a new one in which contracts are signed between the workers and their employers. The exit permit was replaced with a new electronic system that will be managed by the Interior Ministry. The consequences of employers violating this system are subject to a fine of nearly $15,000.

Two laws protecting workers' rights, which included clauses on maximum working hours and rights to annual leave, were passed in August 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde22/7002/2017/en/|title=Qatar: Two new laws on migrant workers signal degree of progress but major gaps remain|publisher=Amnesty International|date=25 August 2017|access-date=13 February 2019}} In November 2017, the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) praised Qatar's commitment to workers rights protection.{{cite web |url=http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_592874/lang--en/index.htm |title=ILO Governing Body welcomes Qatar's commitment to bolster migrant worker rights |date=8 November 2017 |publisher=ilo.org |access-date=2017-11-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191449/http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_592874/lang--en/index.htm |archive-date=9 November 2017 |df=dmy-all }}

In 2018, Sheikh Tamim passed Law No. 13 of 2018, abolishing exit visas for roughly 95% of the country's migrant workers. The remaining 5% of workers, which amount to approximately 174,000 people, still require their employer's permission to exit the country. While stating that more needs to be done to protect the rights of Qatar's workers, Stephen Cockburn of Amnesty claimed that the Amir had taken an "important first step towards meeting the authorities' promise to fundamentally reform the exploitative sponsorship system".{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/09/qatar-exit-system-reform-first-step/|title=Qatar: Partial abolition of 'exit permit' lifts travel restrictions for most migrant workers|publisher=Amnesty International|date=5 September 2018|access-date=13 February 2019}}

In October 2017, Human Rights Watch praised Qatar's commitment to developing laws in line with international labour standards and the guidance of the International Labour Organization. Human Rights Watch said that Qatar had conducted a series of significant labour reforms to institute a minimum wage, to allow independent experts to monitor labour practices, and to reform the kafala system. The ILO said that Qatar is always seeking to be an ideal model for workers' rights. Human Rights Watch called on Gulf countries to follow the example of Qatar and to enhance the situation of migrant labour.{{cite web|url=http://goobjoog.com/english/human-rights-watch-lauds-qatars-new-labour-reforms|title=Human Rights Watch lauds Qatar's new labour reforms|date=28 October 2017|publisher=GoobJoog News|access-date=2 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108103001/http://goobjoog.com/english/human-rights-watch-lauds-qatars-new-labour-reforms/|archive-date=8 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}

In November 2017, Qatar and the International Labour Organization started a technical cooperation programme to improve working conditions and labour rights.{{Cite web|date=2017-11-08|title=ILO Governing Body welcomes Qatar's commitment to bolster migrant worker rights|url=http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_592473/lang--en/index.htm|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.ilo.org|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Technical cooperation between ILO and Qatar on workers rights; threat of Commission of Inquiry eases|url=https://www.business-humanrights.org/es/%C3%BAltimas-noticias/technical-cooperation-between-ilo-and-qatar-on-workers-rights-threat-of-commission-of-inquiry-eases/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Business & Human Rights Resource Centre|language=es}} The ILO opened its first project office in Qatar on 30 April 2018{{Cite web|date=2019-10-17|title=New labour laws in Qatar benefiting migrant workers a 'momentous step forward': ILO|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1049471|access-date=2021-06-17|website=UN News|language=en}} to support the implementation of the programme.{{Cite web|date=2018-04-30|title=ILO inaugurates its first project office in Qatar|url=http://www.ilo.org/beirut/media-centre/news/WCMS_627158/lang--en/index.htm|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.ilo.org|language=en}}

In January 2020, Qatar ended its exit visas requirement under the kafala system for all migrant workers. The ILO welcomed the move and appreciated the Qatari government, saying, "The removal of exit permits is an important milestone in the government's labour reform agenda".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/16/business/ap-ml-qatar-labor.html|title=UN Body Welcomes 'Milestone' in Qatar Labor Reforms|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=16 January 2020}}

Labour reforms were introduced in September 2020, including allowing for migrant workers to change their jobs without first obtaining permission from their employer. The minimum wage was raised, which would apply to workers of all nationalities. The ability to change jobs, which effectively dismantles the kafala system, is regarded as a very significant change{{by whom|date=April 2021}}, as it underpins the system of forced labour. Although domestic servants are not covered by general labour laws, the new rules about changing jobs and terminating contracts apply to them also.

Still{{when|date=April 2021}} awaiting reform is the unfair situation{{POV statement|date=April 2021}} caused by the requirement that it is the employers of migrant workers who enable their entry, residence, and employment permits, but it is the workers who are punished if the employer fails to do the necessary paperwork.

In April 2020, the government of Qatar provided $824 million to pay the wages of migrant workers in quarantine or undergoing treatment for COVID-19.{{Cite web|title=Qatar to pay sick worker's wages amid labour-camp lockdowns - News - GCR|url=http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/qatar-pay-sick-workers-wages-amid-labour-camp-lock/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.globalconstructionreview.com|date=2 April 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Qatar to pay workers in quarantine full salaries|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/1/qatar-to-pay-workers-in-quarantine-full-salaries|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}

In August 2020, the Qatari government announced a monthly minimum wage for all workers of 1,000 riyals (US$275), an increase from the previous temporary minimum wage of 750 riyals a month.{{Cite web|title=GCO highlights various labour reforms introduced by Qatar|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/03/2021/GCO-highlights-various-labour-reforms-introduced-by-Qatar|access-date=2021-06-17|website=thepeninsulaqatar.com|date=20 March 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=Qatar extends minimum wage to all|url=https://arab.news/8nrbk|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Arab News|language=en}} The new laws went into effect in March 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-10|title=Qatar's labour reforms outstanding, tangible|url=https://gulf-times.com/story/688611|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Gulf-Times|language=ar}} The International Labour Organization said "Qatar is the first country in the region to introduce a non-discriminatory minimum wage, which is a part of a series of historical reforms of the country's labour laws,"{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Qatar's new minimum wage enters into force|url=http://www.ilo.org/beirut/projects/qatar-office/WCMS_775981/lang--en/index.htm|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.ilo.org|language=en}}

The campaign group Migrant Rights said the new minimum wage was too low to meet migrant workers' need with Qatar's high cost of living.{{cite news|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/qatar-extends-minimum-wage-to-all-as-world-cup-looms-01616233505|title=Qatar Extends Minimum Wage To All As World Cup Looms|work=Agence France Presse|date=20 March 2021}} Employers are obligated to pay 300 riyals for food and 500 riyals for accommodation, if they do not provide employees with these directly. The No Objection Certificate was removed so that employees can change jobs without consent of the current employer. A Minimum Wage Committee was formed to check on the implementation.{{Cite web|title=Qatar sets minimum wage, removes NOC for changing jobs|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/30/08/2020/Qatar-sets-minimum-wage,-removes-NOC-for-changing-jobs|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.thepeninsulaqatar.com|date=30 August 2020}}

A problem in Qatar is a stigma behind mental health issues and how they are dealt with.{{Cite journal |last=Sharkey |first=Terence |date=February 2017 |title=Mental health strategy and impact evaluation in Qatar |journal=BJPsych International |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=18–21 |doi=10.1192/S2056474000001628 |pmid=29093929 |pmc=5618826 |issn=2056-4740}} Breaking new ground, Qatar joined the WHO's Mental Health Action Plan, which spanned 2013–2020. This plan, "recognizes the essential role of mental health in achieving health for all people" (World Health Organization).{{Cite web |title=Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 |url=https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789240031029 |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.who.int |language=en}} In Qatar, mental health typically has a stigma around it, and this was the first time the Qatar government played an active role in mental health awareness.{{Cite journal |last1=Khaled |first1=Salma M |last2=Gray |first2=Richard |date=August 2019 |title=Depression in migrant workers and nationals of Qatar: An exploratory cross-cultural study |journal=International Journal of Social Psychiatry |language=en |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=354–367 |doi=10.1177/0020764019850589 |pmid=31130042 |pmc=6651615 |issn=0020-7640}}

Studies have been done on the three groups that make up Qatar, which are the labor migrants, white collar migrants, and non-migrants. The odds of depression are significantly increased in the labor migrant and white-collar migrant groups compared to the non-migrant group. One of the explaining factors behind this difference is the quality of life. The thought process is that migrants have to face major life changes and have to adapt to living in Qatar. The 'culture shock' migrants experience is a major contributor to declining mental health.

Qatar is not as current as it could be with mental health services. In 2014, about 0.36% of the healthcare budget was spent on mental health services, which is seven times lower than the median for upper-middle-income nations. Major depressive disorder (20.4%) and generalized anxiety disorder (19.1%) are the most frequent cases seen. In undergraduate schooling for medical professions such as doctors and nurses, only 3% of training is dedicated to psychiatry, mental health, and other things related. There are a projected 13.5 mental health professionals per 100,000 population.

However the International Labour Organization published report in November 2022 that contained multiple reforms by Qatar for its migrant workers. The reforms included the establishment of the minimum wage, wage protection regulations, improved access for workers to justice, etc. It included data from last 4 years of progress in workers conditions of Qatar. The report also revealed that the freedom to change jobs was initiated, implementation of Occupational safety and health & labor inspection, and also the required effort from the nation's side.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title=Four years of labour reforms in Qatar |url=http://www.ilo.org/beirut/countries/qatar/qatar-office/WCMS_859880/lang--en/index.htm |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=www.ilo.org |language=en}}

{{See|Women in Qatar}}

Women in Qatar vote and may run for public office. Qatar enfranchised women at the same time as men in connection with the May 1999 elections for a Central Municipal Council.{{cite journal|first=Jennifer|last=Lambert|date=Spring 2011|title=Political Reform in Qatar: Participation, Legitimacy and Security |journal=Middle East Policy |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=89–101 |doi=10.1111/j.1475-4967.2011.00475.x |df=dmy-all}}{{cite book|first=Hugh|last=Miles|title=Al-Jazeera|newspaper=The New York Times|year=2005|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/books/chapters/0306-1st-miles.html?pagewanted=all&position=}} It was the first Arab country in the Persian Gulf to allow women the right to vote.{{cite book|last1=Beydoun|first1=Nasser|title=The Glass Palace: Illusions of Freedom and Democracy in Qatar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a5jMvsUV5t4C|year=2012|page=35|publisher=Algora |isbn=978-0875869551}} These elections—the first ever in Qatar—were deliberately held on 8 March 1999, International Women's Day.

Qatar sent female athletes to the 2012 Summer Olympics that began on 27 July in London.

The first female judge in Qatar is Sheikha Maha Mansour Salman Jasim Al Thani. She is a law school graduate from Qatar University and was sworn into the post in 2010.[https://dohanews.co/two-local-newcomers-including-qatars-first-female/ "Two Local Newcomers, including Qatar's First Female Judge, Added to Arab Women Power List."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214072429/https://dohanews.co/two-local-newcomers-including-qatars-first-female/ |date=14 December 2017 }} Doha News, 2013. Web.

Labor force participation for women in Qatar is roughly 51%, which is higher than the world average, and is the highest rate in the Arab world.{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?end=2014&start=1990&view=map|title=Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) - Data|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426173027/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?end=2014&start=1990&view=map|archive-date=26 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}

Both Qatari and non-Qatari women are affected by a widening wage gap. They are paid 25% to 50% less than men, despite the fact that their working hours are comparable. The difference is due in part to the social allowances by government afforded to men as household heads, such as housing and travel allotments, which female employees are less likely to receive.[https://dohanews.co/report-qatars-gender-wage-gap-widens-considerably/ "Report: Qatar's Gender Wage Gap Widens Considerably over 10-year-period."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214726/https://dohanews.co/report-qatars-gender-wage-gap-widens-considerably/ |date=20 December 2016 }}, Doha News, 2013. Web. 2 November 2016.

An April 2022 report by the Federation of American scientists, observed that women in Qatar drive and own property, after reforms made in 2018, enabling women to work in government and the private sector.{{Cite journal |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy |url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/R44533.pdf |journal=Federation of American Scientists}}

In the October 2, 2021, Shura Council elections no women candidates were elected but the Amir included two women among his 15 appointments to the Council for the first time in Shura Council’s history.{{Cite news |date=2021-10-14 |title=Qatar emir appoints two women to advisory council after men sweep polls |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatar-emir-appoints-two-women-advisory-council-after-men-sweep-polls-2021-10-14/ |access-date=2022-06-20}}

{{Further|Abortion in Qatar}}

Qatari women convicted for "illicit relations" (sex outside marriage) may be imprisoned for up to seven years, although usually the courts decide on one year. It is often poor domestic workers from South-east Asian countries who are convicted, even when they have been raped if the judge thinks they are lying.{{cite web | last=Tlozek | first=Eric | title=Human rights groups call on Qatar to stop criminalising sex outside marriage after treatment of women on Sydney-bound flight | website=ABC News|publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=28 October 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-29/human-rights-call-qatar-stop-criminalising-sex-outside-marriage/12824408 | access-date=10 January 2021}}

Many women who get pregnant with an illegitimate child are jailed. Non-citizens who are forced to have sponsors are usually denied the right to leave Qatar and are therefore forced to seek refuge and counsel from their embassy. Despite the effort of embassies, many still land in jail. According to Najeeb al-Nuaimi, a criminal lawyer and former justice minister of Qatar, many women are able to avoid or be released from prison by marrying the father of their baby, at which point the woman is allowed to leave the country with her husband.[https://dohanews.co/facing-jail-unmarried-pregnant-women-in-qatar-left/ "Facing Jail, Unmarried Pregnant Women in Qatar Left with Hard Choices.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214721/https://dohanews.co/facing-jail-unmarried-pregnant-women-in-qatar-left/ |date=20 December 2016 }}" Doha News, 2013. Web. 2 November 2016.

In October 2020, several women who were boarding flights from Doha were taken away to undergo invasive gynaecological examinations, after an abandoned newborn baby had been found in the airport toilets and officials were searching for the mother in order to punish her. This caused a diplomatic incident.{{cite web | last=Bucci | first=Nino | title=Qatar says those behind search of Australian women at Doha airport committed 'illegal actions' | website=The Guardian | date=30 October 2020 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/qatar-says-staff-who-searched-australian-women-at-doha-airport-committed-actions | access-date=10 January 2021}}

A number of women have fled Qatar for the UK because of abuse. For example, Noof Al Maadeed left for the UK because her parents tried to force her to get married against her will.{{Cite web|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-fears-mount-missing-activist-threats-family|title = Fears mount for missing Qatari activist under threat from family}} Another lady, Aisha Al Qahtani fled because her father is a senior military officer who abused her and there is little justice for her.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1641821|title = Qatari woman still feels unsafe despite fleeing violence|date = 15 March 2020}}

The fears concerning Noof Al Maadeed's safety heightened when she spoke of receiving threats on October 13 and mysteriously vanished after returning to Qatar from the UK. Rumours suggested that she had been killed in government custody. The female Qatari activist later appeared in a series of videos and announced her health and safety on Twitter.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-25 |title=Activist Noof al-Maadeed 'confined' by Qatari authorities |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/noof-almaadeed-qatar-twitter-whereisnoof-b1942025.html |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

A source briefed on the situation told AFP that Qatari authorities were providing assistance to Maadeed, who was being cared for at a safe, undisclosed location.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-16 |title=Qatar says activist 'safe' as rights group raises concerns |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211216-qatar-says-activist-safe-as-rights-group-raises-concerns |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=France 24 |language=en}}

Migrant women are typically seen as a "dual minority" because of their gender and foreignness.{{Cite journal |last1=Kemp |first1=Linzi J. |last2=Rickett |first2=Bridgette |date=2017-11-07 |title=The lived experiences of foreign women: Influences on their international working lives |journal=Gender, Work & Organization |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=343–360 |doi=10.1111/gwao.12201 |hdl=11073/16409 |issn=0968-6673|hdl-access=free }} According to a real account from a female migrant worker, "I felt estranged twice, one for not being a man, secondly for not being able to become one of the Arabs".{{Cite journal |last=Plüss |first=Caroline |date=July 2006 |title=Becoming different while becoming the same: Re-territorializing Islamic identities with multi-ethnic practices in Hong Kong |journal=Ethnic and Racial Studies |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=656–675 |doi=10.1080/01419870600665334 |s2cid=144841573 |issn=0141-9870}} These women have created a new classification term, FW-W for "foreign working-woman". The overlap of these identities cause this group of women to slip through the cracks unnoticed.{{Cite journal |last=Crenshaw |first=Kimberle |date=July 1991 |title=Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color |journal=Stanford Law Review |volume=43 |issue=6 |pages=1241–1299 |doi=10.2307/1229039 |jstor=1229039 |issn=0038-9765}} Foreign women make up about 20 per cent of the total population and they outnumber female citizens by a ratio of nearly 1:4.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=National population by emirate and sex, 2010 mid year estimates |url=http://www.uaestatistics.gov.ae/ReportPDF/Population%20Estimates%202006%20‐%202010.pdf |website=UAE National Bureau of Statistics (UAE NBS) (2011)}}

{{See also|Qatari nationality law}}

Out of the population of about 2.7 million, about 2 million are men and the rest are female.{{Cite web |title="Qatar Monthly Statistics." Planning and Statistics Authority Home Page |url=https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/Pages/default.aspx}} Over 90% of the population of Qatar are not actually Qatari. Workers come from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and elsewhere. Out of this migrant population, over half of them have strong depression-like symptoms. With all of these different cultural backgrounds coming together, migrant workers most likely feel lost and have troubling finding a place in their life.

Laws passed in 2021 state that only those who have Qatari nationality since birth and are naturalized citizens with a Qatari grandparent can vote.{{Cite web |title=Protests in Qatar Spark Free Speech Concerns |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/14999-protests-in-qatar-spark-free-speech-concerns |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=www.occrp.org |language=en-GB}} Only those whose nationality is originally Qatari can run in elections. The migrant workers that make up the majority of Qatar are not considered citizens of the country they work in.

In terms of basic human rights, people of Qatar face obstacles in communication and connection from language barriers.{{Cite journal |last1=Abdelrahim |first1=Huda |last2=Elnashar |first2=Maha |last3=Khidir |first3=Amal |last4=Killawi |first4=Amal |last5=Hammoud |first5=Maya |last6=Al-Khal |first6=Abdul Latif |last7=Fetters |first7=Michael D. |date=2017-04-03 |title=Patient Perspectives on Language Discordance During Healthcare Visits: Findings From the Extremely High-Density Multicultural State of Qatar |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10810730.2017.1296507 |journal=Journal of Health Communication |language=en |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=355–363 |doi=10.1080/10810730.2017.1296507 |pmid=28339340 |s2cid=22794214 |issn=1081-0730}} Not everyone in Qatar speaks Arabic and there is a heavy population of migrant workers that speak other languages; basic human rights are affected because of this lack of communication. For instance, access to health care is impacted. A patient that does not speak English or Arabic will have difficulty trying to receive treatment.

Qatar is predominantly made up of foreigners who do not speak the national languages, and they will have trouble in receiving treatment since they cannot voice their issues. Because of the language barrier patients might receive incorrect treatment or the wrong treatment for their ailment, which can make their situation even worse. Besides health care, the other interactions with important institutions that are counterproductive due to a lack of communication. According to the journal, "Patient Perspectives on Languages Discordance During Healthcare Visits: Findings From the Extremely High-Density Multicultural State of Qatar", addressing the work force of Qatar, "Qatar, … heavily in the development of its healthcare infrastructure in recent years to keep pace with rapid economic expansion. The expatriate population living and working in the country constitutes 94.14% of the total workforce (Qatar Permanent Population Committee, 2011)".

The majority of workers who control the forward progression of advancements of Qatar do not speak the national language. Migrant labor workers are the backbone of the country and those who are in charge of them probably cannot even communicate with them.{{Cite journal |last=Theodoropoulou |first=Irene |title="Blue-Collar Workplace Communicative Practices: A Case Study in Construction Sites in Qatar." |journal=Language Policy |year=2020 |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=363–387|doi=10.1007/s10993-019-09518-z |s2cid=150962346 |doi-access=free }} The language barriers also create cultural and ethnic divides. About 90% of Qatar's population is made of non-citizens. Qatar has the highest population of migrants in the world and 94% of its economically active population are not Qatari natives.

{{main|Capital punishment in Qatar}}

Qatar has the death penalty, primarily for espionage,{{cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE220012002?open&of=ENG-QAT|title=Qatar: Death Penalty, Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali – Amnesty International|work=amnesty.org|access-date=19 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102145748/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE220012002?open&of=ENG-QAT|archive-date=2 November 2007}} or other threats against national security.{{cite web|url=http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story1331.shtml|title=Crusading journalist wins case against Al-Jazeera|date=6 April 2005|work=journalism.co.uk|access-date=19 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316182837/https://journalism.co.uk/news/story1331.shtml|archive-date=16 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} Apostasy, same-sex intercourse, and blasphemy are considered capital offences, but there have been no recorded applications of the death penalty for this charge.

Others crimes like murder, violent robbery resulting in death, arson, torture, kidnapping, terrorism, rape, drug trafficking, extortion by threat of accusation of a crime of honor, perjury causing wrongful execution, and treason{{cite web |url=https://deathpenaltyworldwide.org/database/#/results/country?id=59 |title=The Death Penalty in Qatar |publisher=Death Penalty Worldwide |access-date=5 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140922/http://www.deathpenaltyworldwide.org/country-search-post.cfm?country=Qatar |archive-date=6 August 2017 |df=dmy-all }} carry a possible death sentence. However, the most recent executions that took place in Qatar were both for murder (in March 2003 and May 2020).

Capital punishment in Qatar is done by a firing squad. Executions are rare. The last execution occurred in May 2020, after a 17-year hiatus. The executee was a murderer from Nepal.{{cite web |url=https://deathpenaltyworldwide.org/database/#/results/country?id=59 |title=The Death Penalty in Qatar |date=24 December 2019 }}

Flogging is used in Qatar as a punishment for alcohol consumption or illicit sexual relations. According to Amnesty International, in 2012 at least six foreign nationals were sentenced to floggings of either 40 or 100 lashes.{{cite web|title=Amnesty International Annual Report 2012 – Qatar|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/qatar/report-2012#section-27-6|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=19 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724102826/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/qatar/report-2012#section-27-6 |archive-date=24 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}

People convicted of sodomy can face imprisonment of up to three years. Muslims convicted of zina (unlawful sexual intercourse such as adultery and bestiality) can be sentenced to flogging. Non-Muslims can face imprisonment in such cases.{{cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/qatar|title=Qatar Events of 2017|work=Human Rights Watch|date=20 December 2017}}

File:Code-pink-Qatari-embassy013.JPG

Freedom of expression is the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas. A life sentence was handed to the Qatari poet Mohammed al-Ajami, also known as Mohammed Ibn al-Dheeb, for criticism of the government during the 2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Qatar. Observers were not allowed to enter the court, and al-Ajami himself was not present at the sentencing.[https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/qatar-outrageous-life-sentence-jasmine-poet-2012-11-29 Qatar: Outrageous life sentence for 'Jasmine poet'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207101831/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/qatar-outrageous-life-sentence-jasmine-poet-2012-11-29 |date=7 December 2014 }} Amnesty International 29 November 2012 All the information available points to Mohammed al-Ajami being a prisoner of conscience who had been placed behind bars solely for his words.[https://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/qatar-outrageous-life-sentence-jasmine-poet-2012-11-29 Qatar: Outrageous life sentence for 'Jasmine poet'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028140636/http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/qatar-outrageous-life-sentence-jasmine-poet-2012-11-29 |date=28 October 2014 }} 29 November 2012 Al-Ajami was released from prison in March 2016 after a royal pardon commuted his sentence.{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/middleeast/qatar-poet-released/index.html |title=Qatari poet accused of insulting emir freed after 4 years, U.N. says |author=Tim Hume and Schams Elwazer |date=17 March 2016 |publisher=CNN |access-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316223917/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/middleeast/qatar-poet-released/index.html |archive-date=16 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}

A cyber law which passed in late September 2014 severely limited freedom of speech and freedom of expression rights, granting the government and authorities the ability to punish "content that may harm the country" with jail time of up to three years, and fines around 500,000 QR. The law states that the authority may in each individual case judge whether the content is suitable or not. No guidelines or references are currently available to say what type of content is allowed.{{cite web |url=http://dohanews.co/qatar-moves-forward-sweeping-cybercrime-law/ |title=Qatar's cybercrime law moves forward despite criticism |date=13 March 2014 |access-date=2014-10-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070917/http://dohanews.co/qatar-moves-forward-sweeping-cybercrime-law/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }} Doha News

In July 2020, Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) board member for International Relations Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani claimed that Qatar’s legislation and laws “highly support sophisticated media activity,” guarantee freedom of opinion and expression, press and media freedom.{{Cite web |title=Qatar's legislations guarantee freedom of opinion and expression, says QICCA official |url=https://qicca.org/6002 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=QICCA |language=en-US}}

The Qatari government is keen to maintain things as they are, and are concerned about a change in its conservative cultural values, so there are few ways to achieve citizenship through naturalisation. One way is through marriage to a Qatari citizen, but this does not guarantee it, especially for non-Muslims. Upon occasion, an employer can reward a good and longstanding worker who has benefited the company in a major way by ensuring a work and residence permit for them, but this is annually renewable until the employee's 60th birthday, and only in exceptional circumstances could this be extended to reside indefinitely in Qatar (although never attaining citizenship). Children of foreigners born in Qatar have to assume their parents' nationality; if one parent is Qatari, there is a path to citizenship, but it is not immediate.{{cite web| title=Citizenship | website=Just Landed | date=21 March 2016 | url=https://www.justlanded.com/english/Qatar/Qatar-Guide/Visas-Permits/Citizenship | access-date=10 January 2021}}

Apart from fear of cultural influences, there are concerns about increased expenditure on new citizens; the government provides free education, healthcare, and housing loans for all of its citizens. Another concern is the maintenance of Qatar's political system, based on dynastic succession.{{cite web | last=Finn | first=Tom | title=Qatar's recruited athletes stir debate on citizenship | website=Reuters | date=25 August 2016 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-qatar-olympics-nationality-idUSKCN11015P | access-date=10 January 2021}}

A few foreign residents, who must be able to speak Arabic and lived in Qatar for a minimum of 25 years consecutively, may win citizenship if approved by the Emir. Elite athletes, recruited by the state in order to compete in the Olympics under the Qatari flag, have been granted citizenship in the past.

The situation has long been debated, with especially younger Qataris questioning the restrictive laws, but analysts have suggested that as Qatar's economy becomes less dependent on oil, things might change, as "Qatar will need to attract long-term residents who can contribute to the tax base and support what will eventually become an aging population".

{{Main|LGBT rights in Qatar}}

Sodomy between consenting adults (regardless of gender) in Qatar is illegal, and subject to a sentence of up to five years in prison.{{cite web|url=https://adsdatabase.ohchr.org/IssueLibrary/QATAR_%20Penal%20Code.pdf|title=Law No. 11 of 2004 Issuing the Penal Code|work=adsdatabase.ohchr.org}}Ready, Freda. The Cornell Daily Sun, [http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/qatar/qanews05.htm Qatar's Gay Rights Policy Under Scrutiny] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820062524/http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/qatar/qanews05.htm |date=20 August 2008 }} Retrieved on 4 December 2002 The law is silent about sodomy between consenting female adults.{{cite web|url=http://archive.globalgayz.com/middle-east/qatar/gay-qatar-news-and-reports/|title=Gay Qatar News & Reports|work=globalgayz.com|access-date=19 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903204352/http://archive.globalgayz.com/middle-east/qatar/gay-qatar-news-and-reports/ |archive-date=3 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{failed verification|date=December 2016}} Sexual orientation and gender identity are not covered in any civil rights laws and there is no recognition of same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Under Sharia Law, homosexuality in Qatar is punishable by death penalty for Muslims.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} The Amnesty International Report 2008 stated there were no executions for convictions of sexual offences in recent years in Qatar. According to the 2016 ILGA report, the death penalty for same-sex sexual behaviour has not been implemented in Qatar.{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=Refworld {{!}} Qatar: Situation of sexual minorities, including social attitudes and treatment by authorities (2014-July 2016) |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/598c69d94.html |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=Refworld |language=en}}

The New York Times{{`}} gay and transgender rights coverage published from April to July 2018 were censored in Qatar. The Doha edition of The New York Times International Edition had large empty areas in the newspaper with a note that the offending articles had been "exceptionally removed". Eight out of nine articles that were censored were on issues affecting the LGBT communities.{{cite web|url= https://abcnews.go.com/International/exclusive-world-cup-spotlight-qataris-cracks-lgbt-news/story?id=56668874|title=EXCLUSIVE: Under World Cup spotlight, Qataris crack down on LGBT news coverage|access-date=20 July 2018|publisher=ABC news}}

In 2016, Polish Instagram star and model King Luxy was arrested and held for two months in Qatar for numerous charges, including extortion, blackmail, and cyber assault. Luxy claimed he was arrested for "wearing makeup on Snapchat and Instagram".{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/gay-teen-instagram-jailed-qatar/|title=Teen Instagram Star Jailed in Qatar for Two Months, Claims it was for 'Being Gay'|date=2016-08-29|website=The Daily Dot|language=en|access-date=2019-06-14}}

{{main|Freedom of religion in Qatar}}

File:Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Doha, Qatar.jpg

Qatar is a Muslim-majority nation, with 76% of its population adhering to Islam.[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/ 2004 Census – CIA World Factbook – Qatar] . The government uses Sunni law as the basis of its criminal and civil regulations. However, some measure of religious toleration is granted. Foreign workers, and tourists, are free to affiliate with other faiths, i.e. Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Bahá'ís, as long as they are discreet and do not offend public order or morality.

For example, in March 2008 the Roman Catholic church Our Lady of the Rosary was consecrated in Doha. However, in keeping with the need to be discreet, no missionaries are allowed and the church will not have any bells, crosses or other overtly Christian signs on its exterior.

Although abandoning Islam is considered apostasy, which is an offence subject to the death penalty, Qatar has not imposed any penalty for this offence since its independence in 1971.U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. [https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/208620.pdf International Religious Freedom Report for 2012: Qatar 2]. 20 May 2013.

Until 2005, children as young as four years old were used as jockeys in camel racing, which is a popular sport in the Gulf region. Children were also being trafficked from other countries, and often starved to keep their body weight down. The sport is a dangerous one, with the danger of hurt in a fall or being trampled underfoot. Robot jockeys created by a Swiss company were introduced to use instead of children{{cite web | title=Qatar Bans Use of Children as Jockeys for Camels | website=The New York Times | date=30 December 2004 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/30/world/middleeast/qatar-bans-use-of-children-as-jockeys-for-camels.html | access-date=10 January 2021}}{{cite magazine | last=Lewis | first=Jim | title=Robots of Arabia |date=11 Jan 2005| magazine=Wired | url=https://www.wired.com/2005/11/camel/ | access-date=10 January 2021}} when the then Emir of Qatar, Hamad Al Thani, introduced the ban.{{cite web | last=Sample | first=Ian | title=Can robots ride camels? | website=the Guardian | date=14 April 2005 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/apr/14/thisweekssciencequestions.robots | access-date=10 January 2021}}

Law 39, issued in 2005, stipulated the formation of a "bureau for human rights" in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of its main missions is to prepare answers on the claims or reports of foreign countries and organisations on the situation of human rights inside the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawTreeSectionID=2266&LawID=280&language=ar|title=Law No. 39 of 2005 Organising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Assigning its Competencies (Repealed)|website=almeezan.qa|access-date=8 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054850/http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawTreeSectionID=2266&LawID=280&language=ar|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}

The National Human Rights Committee was founded in 2002 with the responsibility of overseeing and carrying out investigations on human rights abuses in the country.{{cite web|url=http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/directory/agency/nationalhumanrightscommittee|title=اللجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان|publisher=Qatar e-Gov|language=ar|access-date=8 August 2015}} Their methods of advancing the country's standards of human rights include contributing to research programs related to human rights, conducting studies, and providing advice and recommendations to legislative bodies.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhrc-qa.org/en/about-nhrc/vision-and-mission/|title=Vision and mission|publisher=National Human Rights Committee|access-date=8 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827043203/http://www.nhrc-qa.org/en/about-nhrc/vision-and-mission/|archive-date=27 August 2015|df=dmy-all}}

The following chart shows Qatar's ratings since 1972 in the Freedom in the World reports, published annually by Freedom House. A rating of 1 is "free"; 7, "not free".{{cite web | url = http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW%20All%20Scores%2C%20Countries%2C%201973-2012%20%28FINAL%29.xls | title = Country ratings and status, FIW 1973–2012 | access-date = 2012-08-22 | author = Freedom House | year = 2012 | format = XLS | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120424223549/http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW%20All%20Scores%2C%20Countries%2C%201973-2012%20%28FINAL%29.xls | archive-date = 24 April 2012 | df = dmy-all }}

• Human rights in the Middle East

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/26/qatar-foreign-workers-slave-conditions Qatar's foreign domestic workers subjected to slave-like conditions]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/broken-promises-qatar-migrant-workers Broken promises: Qatar's migrant workers caught in the kafala system]
• [https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar/report-qatar/ Amnesty International 2016/17 report on Qatari Human Rights]

{{Qatar topics}}

{{Asia topic|Human rights in}}

{{Human rights in the Middle East}}