- You are here:
- Home
- › Travel & living abroad
- › Travel advice by country
- › Country profiles
- › Middle East and North Africa
- › Qatar
Middle East and North Africa
Qatar |
|
|
Last reviewed: 02 November 2009 |
Country information
POLITICS
Recent Political Developments
The Emir has begun a programme of reform aimed at increasing modernisation, openness and freedom. Qatar's first elections, to the Central Municipal Council, were in March 1999; subsequent elections were held in 2003 and 2007. The Council consists of 29 seats divided into constituencies across the country. All Qatari citizens (men and women) over the age of 18, with at least 15 years' citizenship, excluding members of the police and armed forces, are eligible to vote. In 1999, 21,992 people registered to vote, 44% of whom were women. 227 candidates stood, including six women. In 2003 88 candidates competed and one woman was elected. She retained her seat in 2007 with the highest majority of any candidate.
In 2003, some 97% of Qataris supported a new constitution in a referendum. This new constitution, which came into force in June 2005, provides for elections to a 45-member Legislative Council (Majlis al-Shura). Two-thirds of the Council will be elected, with the Emir appointing the remainder. He will also have the authority to dissolve the Council at any time. All Qataris over the age of 18 will be able to vote and stand as candidates. No date has yet been set for elections to the Majlis al-Shura.
The constitution also contains provisions for the establishment of an independent judiciary, equal rights for men and women and freedom of expression for the press, freedom of assembly and freedom of worship. Some elements of the constitution have yet to be fully implemented.
The Emir’s sister Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Thani became the first woman to hold Ministerial rank in Qatar in 1999. Sheikh Two further female Ministers have since held the Education and Health portfolios.
The Qatari Government owns Al Jazeera, the satellite television station, which broadcasts in both Arabic and English from Qatar. Al Jazeera offers a popular platform for opinion in the region, despite attracting criticism from some other Governments. In 2006 Al Jazeera launched an English language TV channel with one of its four broadcast centres in London.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Qatar ratified the human rights conventions on racial discrimination (ICERD) in 1976 and child rights (CRD) in 1995. In 2009 Qatar became the 186th State Party to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).Qatar released its last political prisoner in 2001.
The National Human Rights Committee was set up by Emiri Decree in 2002 with the aim of protecting human rights and freedoms. Representatives from a number of Ministries sit on the committee. The Committee produces an annual report that documents its activities and the support it has offered, and makes recommendations.
In 2009 the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) officially opened the UN Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha.In 2008 the Doha Media Freedom Centre was opened with the aim of securing and defending media persons and the freedom of the press.
Established in 2008, the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking aims to combating human trafficking in all its forms.
