Geneva – The Qatari authorities’ referral of seven citizens to the Public Prosecution Office on charges of “inciting racial and tribal strife” due to their criticism of the terms related to the Qatari Advisory Council elections scheduled for next October raises great concern about the seriousness of the country’s claims of democratic openness, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Thursday.
The Qatari Ministry of Interior referred seven people, including the lawyer, Hazza bin Ali Al-Marri to the Public Prosecution for investigation after they expressed through social media platforms their rejection of the Consultative Assembly of Qatar elections law, which prohibits naturalized Qataris of non-Qatari origin from running for elections.
Qatar’s holding the Consultative Assembly elections for the first time is a positive step and paves the way for the start of a new phase of change, pluralism and democratic openness, but it should ensure equal opportunities for all Qataris.
Last Sunday, the Ministry of Interior announced through its Twitter account that the seven people had been referred to the appropriate authorities and that it “will not tolerate taking legal measures against anyone who adopts a racist discourse aimed at threatening the security, stability and peace of society.”
It also called on users of social media platforms not to “offend any component of society on tribal or racial grounds.”
Qatar’s holding the Consultative Assembly elections for the first time is a positive step and paves the way for the start of a new phase of change, pluralism and democratic openness, but it should ensure equal opportunities for all Qataris.
Lawyer “A-Marri” – one of the detainees – appeared in a video he posted on Twitter, talking about his rejection of the election law because it prevents him and his tribe from running for elections. He directed his and his tribe’s message to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of their rejection of the new election law, and any decisions related to it, even if this led to their imprisonment.
Euro-Med Monitor viewed a video showing the arrest of Al-Marri on August 10, two days after the video was published. In it, Qatari security forces belonging to the Criminal Investigation Department appeared in civilian clothes taking Al-Marri in a white vehicle, while a crowd of Al-Murra tribe tried to prevent the arrest.