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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Qatarwww.carnegieendowment.org/arabpoliticalsystemswww.fride.org/eng/Publications/Publication.aspx?Item=787

QATAR

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3

STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4

STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................4

!"#$I%&'()"*...............................................................................................................................+,-I,($I%&'()"*.............................................................................................................................0#1I"I('2...............................................................................................................................................3,4"(,-4%')5)$.............................................................................................................................7

RIGHTS .....................................................................................................................................................8

RIGHTS .....................................................................................................................................................8P'4)(,,I&'$I...............................................................................................................................8,-I,($I4)'-#,($I)-$*!'"I46'I-*$............................................................................'")$-4%')5)$I)I$I($I%(66"$I)-'I-*$.....................................................................9

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................11

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................11

P4,I$I"(,P('$I..............................................................................................................................."I%I,4"I$2.......................................................................................................................................

ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................12

ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................12

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:1779 Massachusetts Ave. NWWashington .C. !""#$%!1"#www.carnegieendowment.org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,terior-C &eli(e I/- 9 % 10 dcha. !"12 Madrid.www.fride.org

At A Glance

Population: 0uly ;993 est. 88: arenonciti@ens>

-1P Per "apita PPP>: ;993 est. A;:+99

*uman 1eBelopment Index 'anC: #)1P: ;993 +3 out of 77 countries>6reedom *ouse 'ating: ;993 )ot 6ree

Political 'igDts 3

"iBil ,iberties

6reedom of tDe Press 'anC: 6reedom *ouse: ;993 ;8 out of + countries>

"orruption Index 'anC: $ransparency International: ;997
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Qatar

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................13

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................13

CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................14

CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................14

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................15

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................15

Carnegie Endowment for International Peacewww.carnegieendowment.org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,teriorwww.fride.org

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Updates and Forthcoming Events

QatarEs first legislatiBe elections were postponed until ;998: $De constitution:

approBed in an (pril ;99< popular referendum: creates a legislatiBe body witDtDirty members elected by uniBersal suffrage and fifteen appointed by tDe emir."urrently Qatar only Das an appointed council witD a limited adBisory role.(ccording to tDe constitution: tDe legislature will DaBe tDree main powersF toapproBe but not prepare> tDe national budgetG to monitor tDe performance ofministers tDrougD interpellations and noconfidence BotesG and to draft: discuss:and Bote on proposed legislation: wDicD becomes law only witD tDe Bote of a twotDirds maHority and tDe mirs endorsement.

Upco!"# Po$!%!c&$ E'("%)

Parliamentary elections: 0une ;998 tentatiBe>



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State Institutions/ Separation of Poers

$De tate of Qatar is a monarcDy.

Qatar promulgated its first written constitution in 0une ;99+: after it Dad been

approBed by 7J of Boters in an (pril : ;99< referendum. $De Permanent"onstitution of tDe tate of Qatar entered into force in 0une ;99 nglisD $ext:(rabic $ext>. $De process of approBing legislation and introducing institutionalcDanges to conform to tDe constitution is ongoing.

E!ecutive "ranch

$De(!*is tDe Dead of state. *eF

(ppoints tDe prime minister and ministers. (ppointed tDe current (dBisory "ouncil. In tDe future: under tDe new

constitution: De may only appoint out of tDe + members of tDe "ouncil. erBes as defense minister and commanderincDief of tDe armed forces. *e

also exercises control oBer tDe police and internal security serBices. 1eBelops goBernment policy in consultation witD tDe "ouncil of 5inisters. "an establisD ministries and consultatiBe bodies. 'atifies and promulgates laws: but no longer Das direct legislatiBe power. $De

new constitution places sucD power in tDe (dBisory "ouncil: wDicD will tDusbecome tDe legislature once elections are Deld.

"an issue decrees witD tDe force of law wDen tDe (dBisory "ouncil is not insession. ucD decrees must be ratified by tDe (dBisory "ouncil and can beoBerturned or returned for reBision by a twotDirds maHority of tDe "ouncil.

5ay declare martial law by decree in exceptional cases to be defined by law.ucD a decree must be presented to tDe (dBisory "ouncil witDin days or atits first meeting after tDe decree. $De duration of martial law must be limitedand can only be extended witD tDe approBal of tDe (dBisory "ouncil.

5ay call for a referendum on important issues: tDe results of wDicD are binding. 5ay declare defensiBe but not offensiBe war. (ppoints an Deir after consulting witD tDe royal family.

S+(!,+ H&&- !" +&$!0& &$T+&"! became emir on 0une ;7: afterdeposing Dis fatDer.

$De p*!( !"!)%(*F

Is appointed by tDe emir. Presides oBer tDe sessions of tDe "ouncil of 5inisters and superBises

coordination of worC among tDe Barious ministries. Is responsible to tDe emir for tDe implementation of goBernment policy.

S+(!,+ H&&- !" &))! !" &* &$T+&"! became prime minister on (pril

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$De Co"c!$ o0 M!"!)%(*)

Is formed by emiri decree based on a proposal by tDe prime minister. 1rafts laws and decrees wDicD are referred to tDe (dBisory "ouncil for

discussion before being submitted to tDe emir for ratification. ndorses resolutions and regulations prepared by ministries witDin tDeir

indiBidual areas of Hurisdiction. 5onitors tDe implementation of laws: decrees: resolutions: regulations and

court Hudgments. 5onitors state finances and prepares tDe state draft budget.

DeiCDa bint (Dmed al 5aDmud became tDe first woman appointed to tDe cabinet

wDen sDe became 5inister of ducation in (pril ;99

#nder tDe 79 "onstitution: tDe council is made up of

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$De emir may dissolBe tDe council: but is obliged to call new electionswitDin six montDs.

(ll sittings of tDe council will be public unless otDerwise reNuested by tDegoBernment or by onetDird of tDe members of tDe council.

$De current (dBisory "ouncil is Deaded by tDe council speaCer and tDe councilEsoffice and is organi@ed into committees. #nder tDe new constitution: tDe councilwill elect a speaCer and deputy speaCer at tDe beginning of eacD of its fouryearterms. $De speaCer will cDair council meetings and Dead tDe council bureau wDicDwill be composed of tDe speaCer: Dis deputy: and tDe cDairs of committees. $DespeaCer will be empowered to cast a tiebreaCing Bote.

$udiciar%

QatarEs legal system is based on Daria legal principles and is influenced by

gyptian law.

$De constitution proBides for an independent Hudiciary wDose organi@ation and

functioning are to be determined by law articles

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Co*%)o0 App(&$F Include (ppeal "ourt of 0ustice and Daria "ourt of(ppeal. $Dey Dear appeals of decisions from tDe courts of first instance.

Co*% o0 C&))&%!o"F $De court of final appeal. It Das once cDamber forDaria cases and one to serBe as court of appeal for tDe "ourt of 0ustice. It is

presided oBer by a president: one or two deputies: and additional Hurors to formtwoHudge cDambers.

Sp(c!&$ Co*%)

$De law proBides for tDe establisDment of occasional state security courts.*oweBer: no cases DaBe appeared before tDese courts since tDe current emirassumed power.

#ocal Government

Qatar is diBided into 9 administratiBe districtsF al1awDaD: al-DuwayriyaD: al

0umayliyaD: alKDawr: alOaCraD: al'ayyan: alDamal: 0arayan al&atnaD: #mmaid: and #mm alal

$De C("%*&$ M"!c!p&$ Co"c!$ was created in to serBe as a single:

nationwide municipal body.

$De "entral 5unicipal "ouncil is composed of ; members elected from tDe ten

districts. $De first municipal elections were Deld in 5arcD . $De most recentelections tooC place on (pril 7: ;99

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Rights

Personal li"erties

$De new constitution contains a number of Duman rigDts proBisions. $De

implementation of most of tDese will depend on existing or future laws. $Deprocess of lawmaCing to conform to tDe new "onstitution is ongoing.

$De constitution proBides for eNual ciBil rigDts and responsibilities witDout

discrimination on grounds of race: language: religion or gender. "urrent laws stillproBide for some discrimination against womenF women must DaBe permissionfrom tDeir male guardians to obtain driBersE licenses and men may preBent femalerelatiBes from leaBing tDe country.

$De constitution states tDat Lall people are eNual before tDe law.M In practicemembers of tDe ruling family often go unsanctioned by tDe law.

$De constitution guarantees freedom of assembly in accordance witD tDe proBisions

of tDe law articles ++ and +> altDougD legislation imposes significant restrictionson tDis rigDt. ,aw )o.8: enacted in )oBember ;99+: allows indiBiduals toorgani@e demonstrations and public assemblies: yet stipulates tDat organi@ers mustacNuire a permit: for wDicD tDere are a number of restrictions and conditions.Political demonstrations are not allowed: altDougD peaceful demonstrations againstIsraelEs actions in tDe Palestinian $erritories DaBe been permitted.

$De constitution reNuires all tDose liBing in tDe country to obserBe public order andrespect public customs and morals.

6reedom of worsDip is proBided for in tDe constitution. In practice religious

freedom for non5uslims Das not been extended beyond tDe "Dristian community.*indus and &uddDists are not allowed to practice openly.

$De constitution protects indiBiduals from arbitrary arrest and detention and bans

torture. 1efendants are entitled to legal representation. *oweBer: tDere are noproBisions for maCing legal counsel aBailable at state expense to people wDo areindigent.

6oreign worCers witD temporary residence status maCe up about four fiftDs of tDe

population and 8J of tDe worCforce. $Dey face seBere disadBantages in laborcontract cases and generally enHoy few of tDe political and ciBil rigDts tDat pertainto Qataris.

6oreign worCers DaBe limited legal rigDts to appear before tDe same courts as

Qatari citi@ens: but fear of Hob loss and deportation preBents many worCers fromexercising eBen tDese limited rigDts.

$De )ew 2orCbased organi@ation *uman 'igDts OatcD proBides a compreDensiBeoBerBiewof Duman rigDts deBelopments in Qatar.



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R(0o*) U"-(* D!)c))!o"

$De draft of a new naturali@ation law is under discussion. $De law is expected to

clarify tDe issue of wDo Das tDe rigDt to apply for citi@ensDip and to outlawdifferential treatment of Qatari nationals by birtD and naturali@ed citi@ens.

#egislation regulating the e!ercise of rights

Po$!%!c&$ P&*% L&6)

Political parties are illegal.

E$(c%o*&$ L&6

#niBersal adult suffrage oBer tDe age of 8.

5embers of tDe armed forces and police cannot Bote or run for office.

L&6 o" A))oc!&%!o")

$De constitution proBides for tDe rigDt to form organi@ations: but tDis rigDt islimited in practice.

,aw ;: issued in 5ay ;99+ to replace ,aw 8 of 8: grants citi@ens tDe rigDtto establisD priBate societies and professional associations. $De goBernmentseBerely limits tDis rigDt in practice. It imposes strict conditions on tDeestablisDment: management and functioning of tDese associations: proDibitingtDem from engaging in political matters and reNuiring approBal from tDe5inistry of "iBil erBice (ffairs and *ousing.

In 5ay ;99 tDe 5inistry of "iBil erBice (ffairs and *ousing promulgatednew regulations tDat streamline tDe operating reNuirements for associations butforbid affiliation witD groups outside Qatar and restrict membersDip of

associations to Qatari nationals oBer 8 years of age.

M(-!& L&6)

$De 7 press and publications law is being amended.

6reedom of tDe press and publication is guaranteed by tDe constitution altDougDtDere are criminal penalties for libel.

(fter ascending to power in : tDe new emir introduced reforms to expandpress freedoms. *e dissolBed tDe 5inistry of Information and lifted tDe officialcensorsDip of tDe domestic press.


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(ltDougD tDere is no formal censorsDip of tDe media: self censorsDip isgenerally practiced

$De fiBe daily newspapers are independently owned but owners or board

members are eitDer DigDleBel goBernment officials or DaBe ties to goBernmentofficials.

5ost broadcast media are owned by tDe goBernment and present tDegoBernmentEs position. $De satellite $% cDannel al-Jazeera: wDicD Das becomeone of tDe most popular (rabic language satellite teleBision cDannels since itslauncD in 7: is priBately owned but DeaBily reliant on goBernment subsidies.(ltDougD outspoCen about sensitiBe regional issues: tDe station does notgenerally coBer Qatari politics.

(ccording to tDe annual Oorldwide Press 6reedom Indexby 'eporters witDout

&orders: Qatar ranCs 7 of 3 countries. $De index runs from most pressfreedom> to 3 least press freedom>.

P(*)o"&$ S%&%) L&6

$De personal status of women is determined by Islamic ,aw. Oomen receiBe less inDeritance tDan tDeir male relatiBes. Oomen must DaBe permission from tDeir male guardian to receiBe a driBerEs

license. In cases of diBorce: tDe motDer is giBen custody of younger cDildren wDile

older cDildren are tDe legal responsibility of tDe fatDer. ducation and most worCplaces remain segregated by sex.

R(0o*) U"-(* D!)c))!o"

$De draft of a personal status law wDicD would regulate marital issues: diBorceand cDild custody is being debated. ( committee at tDe upreme "ouncil for6amily affairs: a goBernment department concerned witD women: cDildren andfamily issues: Das been worCing on tDe draft legislation for seBen years.6ollowing tDe publication of tDe draft: a public debate on tDe legislation Das

been launcDed: inBolBing Hudges: legal experts and society.

Recent Government Initiatives Affecting Rights

In 0anuary ;99 a new labor law came into force: expanding and protectingworCersE rigDts in some areas. 6or tDe first time Qatari worCers are granted tDerigDt to striCe and establisD unions: altDougD tDe new law also imposes seBeralrestrictions wDicD maCe it difficult to conduct a striCe and form a union.6urtDermore: tDese rigDts are not extended to nonciti@en worCers.

Qatar Das taCen steps in recent years to demonstrate outward signs of openness toreform by Dosting seBeral regional conferences. $De conferences include training

for women interested in politics: educational reform: and Duman rigDts.



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Political Forces

Political parties

Political parties are illegal.

&ivil societ%

$De goBernment does not allow independent Duman rigDts organi@ations.

OomenEs groups and Duman rigDts groups DaBe been refused licenses.

In ;99; tDe emir announced tDe establisDment of a )ational *uman 'igDts

"ommission composed of < representatiBes from Barious ministries and fiBe ciBilsociety representatiBes. $De commissionEs tasC is to act as an adBisory body to tDegoBernment on tDe promotion of Duman rigDts and to respond to indiBidualcomplaints concerning Duman rigDts. Its first actiBity was to organi@e a conferenceon Duman rigDts in 0anuary ;99+. It Das also publisDed its first compreDensiBereport on tDe status of Duman rigDts in tDe country.

,abor unions are banned. $Dere are Hoint consultatiBe committees of employers

and worCers to deal witD disputes.

In 0une ;99+: Qatar Dosted a gatDering of more tDan 99 ciBil society actiBists:

professors: Hournalists: and political party members from across tDe region tDatproduced L$De 1oDa 1eclaration for 1emocracy and 'eform.M $De declarationdemands tDat all (rab countries adopt modern: democratic constitutions: Dold free:fair and regular elections: place limits on executiBe power: guarantee freedom ofassociation and freedom of expression: permit tDe full participation of women in

political life: and end extraHudicial procedures: emergency laws: and torture.


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Election Results

lections for tDe 5unicipal "ouncil on (pril : ;997F

; candidates: including < women: contested ; seats ; candidates ran unopposed < female candidates ran for positions. DeiCDa 2ousef *assan al

0ufairi was tDe only female winner: reelected by J of tDe Botes. %oter $urnoutF J of eligible Boters and +J of tDose registered.

lections for tDe 5unicipal "ouncil on (pril 7: ;99

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&onstitutional Revision

$Dere is no constitutional court or mecDanism for constitutional reBiew eBen

tDougD tDe constitution calls for sucD a Hudicial agency to be establisDed.

$De emir or onetDird of tDe members of tDe (dBisory "ouncil can call for an

amendment to tDe constitution. (mendments are passed by a twotDirds maHorityof tDe council and must be approBed by tDe emir. (n amendment tDat is reHectedcannot be proposed again until one year Das passed. $De constitution cannot beamended until ten years DaBe passed from tDe time of its entry into force.

$De constitution cannot be amended regarding tDe rule of tDe state and its

inDeritance: tDe functions of tDe emir during Dis deputation: and tDe rigDts andliberties granted by tDe constitution.



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&orruption

Petty corruption in Qatar is uncommon but seniorleBel corruption appears to be

more widespread.

Qatar Das no special commissions or institutions cDarged witD eliminating

corruption. It also lacCs an independent auditing body outside tDe executiBe. )oregional or local watcDdog organi@ation operates in tDe country.

In ;99< tDe goBernment launcDed a maHor initiatiBe to combat corruption in

goBernment procurement. eBeral cases of alleged corruption in a Bariety ofgoBernment entities are currently under inBestigation or adHudication. tateownedentities are increasingly sensitiBe to appearances of corruption and are worCing toestablisD more open and transparent processes.

$ransparency InternationalEs "orruption Perception Index ;997ranCs Qatar first

among (rab countries and

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Ratification of International &onventions

International "oBenant on "iBil and Political 'igDts ""P'>F not ratified.

International "oBenant on conomic: ocial and "ultural

'igDts ""'>F not ratified.

$De "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 6orms of $orture and 4tDer "ruel:InDuman or 1egrading $reatment or PunisDment "($> on 0anuary : ;999.

$De International "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 6orms of 'acial

1iscrimination "'1> on 0uly ;;: 73.

$De "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 6orms of 1iscrimination against Oomen

"1(O>F not ratified.

$De "onBention on tDe 'igDts of tDe "Dild "'"> on (pril