2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia: Agreeing to repeat human rights violations

On the 31st of October, FIFA announced that Saudi Arabia had become the sole bidder of the 2034 World Cup. The decision certainly does not come as a surprise. FIFA has regularly been criticized for bribery scandals and its nonchalance in sponsoring World Cups in states with poor human rights standards (Russia, China, Qatar). Nonetheless,[…]

At HRC 43, Violations of Privacy Rights in the UAE

Today, an oral intervention was delivered at the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, under Item 3 in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy. The intervention focused on the negative impact of cyber surveillance on privacy rights in the United Arab Emirates. Please continue reading for[…]

UN Special Procedures Publish Allegation Letter to Qatar on Discriminatory Treatment of the Bahá’í Religious Minority

On 16 August 2019, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief sent an to the Government of Qatar. The letter brought forth allegations concerning the discriminatory treatment of the Bahá’í religious minority in Qatar, specifically involving deportations, blacklisting, the inability to build a cemetery,[…]

UN Special Procedures Publishes Allegation Letter to Saudi Arabia on Arbitrary Detention of Qatari Exchange Student

On 17 April 2019, the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education published an allegation letter addressed to Saudi Arabia regarding the alleged arrest and continued detention of Qatari Exchange student Adbulaziz Saeed Saad Halwan Abdullah. Abdullah is a Qatari exchange student from the Ministry[…]

Qatar Co-Hosts DC Party to Celebrate Media Freedom Just Ten Days After Closing Doha Centre for Media Freedom

On 26 April 2019, Qatar co-hosted a party in Washington DC to “celebrate the importance of media freedom and integrity,” despite its own lack of such freedoms. Jassim Bin Mansour al-Thani, a media attaché for the Qatari embassy, commented that “Qatar treats media in Qatar and around the world with respect” and “believes firmly in[…]