Despite Qatar’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2018, the right to freedom of opinion and expression is still not guaranteed. In fact, the Penal Code criminalises criticism of the Emir, and national media outlets cannot report freely. Free expression online is jeopardised by Law on Combating Cybercrime’s, which contains exceedingly broad provisions, allowing room for misinterpretation and abuse by the authorities.
Qatari laws continue to discriminate against women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Throughout 2020, the diplomatic crisis persisted between Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the other, over Qatar’s alleged support of terrorism and ties with Iran, impacting the rights of Qataris and other Gulf and Egyptian nationals too. Although there have been recent announcements that the borders will re-open with a resumption of international relations between these countries in the Gulf Region
Constitution
Cybercrime Law
Penal Code (AR)
Nationality Law (AR)
Counter-Terrorism Law (AR)
Publications and Publishing Law
Qatar Human Rights Commission
