Human right observers criticize Qatar’s discrimination against Women

CAIRO – 23 May 2019: During a Seminar organized by Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights on the sidelines of the universal periodic review process in Qatar, international human rights observers criticized Doha’s policies of discrimination against Women.

Melih Sufo, a member of an international peacemakers' human rights group, said that Qatari women are still facing discrimination despite the existence of laws that give them a lot of rights.

He added that, for example, the children of Qatari women who are married to foreigners legally have the right to get residence; however, this law is still not applicable on the ground. These children accordingly suffer to get proper education, health care and job opportunities.

He added that there are several reports that expose that Qatari women are facing several violent practices that could be described as "systematic humiliation protected by unfair legislation". He further revealed that women are facing discrimination before the judiciary due to their gender as females.

Sufo explained that women face severe social and institutional pressures due to being deprived of their most basic rights, pointing out that the Qatari laws allow men to beat and humiliate their wives.

Regarding domestic workers' situation in Qatar, Sufo described it as “tragic”. He said that domestic workers are deprived of all the basic forms of protection and that they are left vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including forced labor and human trafficking.