Qatar
In early 2026, Qatar’s human rights landscape is defined by the "legacy period" following the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While the country introduced landmark reforms during the tournament build-up, international observers like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International report significant "reform fatigue" and backtracking in several key areas.
The following are the primary human rights issues currently associated with Qatar:
1. Migrant Labor and the "Kafala" System
Despite the official "abolition" of the kafala (sponsorship) system in 2020, its restrictive elements remain largely in place through administrative hurdles.
Barriers to Job Mobility: In practice, many workers still report being required to obtain a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from their current employer to change jobs. Those who leave without permission are often charged with "absconding," which can lead to arrest and deportation.+1
Wage Theft: The Wage Protection System remains under-enforced. In 2025 and early 2026, several strikes occurred—most notably among security and construction contractors—over months of unpaid salaries and the government’s failure to use the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund to compensate them.
Unexplained Deaths: There is still no transparent mechanism for investigating the "natural causes" deaths of thousands of migrant workers. Families of those who died during the World Cup projects continue to advocate for a compensation fund, which both Qatar and FIFA have largely ignored.
2. Women’s Rights and Male Guardianship
Women in Qatar continue to face deep-seated legal and social discrimination under the Male Guardianship System.
Restricted Autonomy: Qatari women require a male guardian’s permission (usually a father, brother, or husband) to marry, study abroad on government scholarships, and often to work in certain government positions.
Mobility Laws: Under the current system, women under 25 require permission to travel outside the country. Even for those over 25, guardians can file "disobedience" cases to prevent them from living alone or traveling.
Reproductive Rights: Access to many forms of reproductive healthcare, including some OB-GYN services, remains tied to a woman’s marital status or requires guardian notification.
3. LGBTQI+ Rights and Personal Freedoms
Qatar remains one of the most restrictive environments for LGBTQI+ individuals in the Middle East.
Criminalization: Same-sex relations remain illegal, carrying a penalty of up to seven years in prison. In 2025, reports surfaced of "preventative arrests" where individuals were detained based on their appearance or gender expression.
Conversion Practices: NGOs have documented instances of security forces detaining LGBTQI+ individuals and forcing them to attend state-sponsored "behavioral healthcare" (conversion therapy) centers as a condition for their release.
4. Freedom of Expression and Political Rights
The space for dissent in Qatar is extremely narrow and has tightened following the World Cup.
Constitutional Backsliding: In late 2024, a constitutional referendum was held that rescinded the right to elect members of the Shura Council (Consultative Council), returning the body to a fully appointed system by the Emir. This was viewed as a major blow to the country’s brief experiment with limited legislative democracy.
Muzzling of Dissent: Laws against "spreading fake news" or "insulting the state" are used to silence online critics. High-profile cases, such as the life sentences handed to lawyers Hazza and Rashed bin Ali Abu Shurayda al-Marri for peaceful assembly, continue to cast a shadow over the legal system.
5. Religious Freedom and Minority Rights
While Qatar allows non-Muslims to worship in the "Church Complex" in Mesaimeer, these rights are strictly regulated.
Discrimination Against Baha'is: In 2025, the Baha'i community faced increased pressure, with reports of members being blacklisted from employment or facing "administrative deportation" without clear legal justification.
Blasphemy Laws: Proselytizing for any religion other than Islam remains a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and blasphemy laws are strictly enforced to protect religious sensitivities.
6. Environmental and Climate Rights
As one of the world's largest exporters of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Qatar's climate policy is under scrutiny.
Expansion Plans: Despite commitments to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030, Qatar’s massive expansion of the North Field gas project is viewed by environmental groups as contradictory to international climate goals.
Heat Protection: While Qatar has a midday outdoor work ban during summer, enforcement is inconsistent. With record-breaking temperatures in 2025, labor groups argue the ban is insufficient to protect workers from chronic kidney disease and heatstroke.