By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
DOHA, Qatar – Compared to its neighbors in the Middle East, Qatar considers itself to be “a center for media freedom.” Nevertheless, the last draft of Qatar’s media law, which was approved by the Shura Council in June 2012, does not meet international standards for freedom of expression, as it does not permit the right to criticize rulers or government policies. In response to this law, Human Rights Watch has censured Qatar.
The new draft would signify the first change to Qatar’s media laws since ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, created the Doha Center for Media Freedom. The Doha Center has been promoting press freedom and quality journalism in the country since its inception in 2008. This desire to protect the press is clear, as the new law abolishes criminal penalties for media law violations. The same act, however, in article 53 also prohibits the transmission of any information that would “abuse the regime or offend the ruling family or cause serious harm to the national or higher interests of the state” or “throw relations between the state and the Arab and friendly states into confusion.”
If a person were to be sanctioned under the article 53 provision, one could face some pretty harsh penalties. A violation of the act faces a fine of up to 1 million Qatari Riyals ($275,000). Additionally, the media act serves as a cognate to article 134 of Qatar’s penal code, which makes criticism of the emir illegal. That code carries with it a five-year prison sentence.
Qatar’s constitution guarantees the freedom of expression and opinion. The country is also bound by article 32 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which grants the right to free expression. Despite these pledges, Qatar has refused to ratify the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which under article 19 stipulates that the criticism of a public figure does not warrant penalties. Allowing criticism of public officials is crucial to permitting debate about governance which is essential to true freedom of expression.
“’Qatar’s commitment to freedom of expression is only as good as its laws, which in this case do not meet the international standards it professes to support,’ said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. ‘Instead of supporting press freedom, this draft media law is a commitment to censorship.’”
While the Shura Council, Qatar’s legislative body, has already approved the law, it must still be ratified by Sheikh Hamad before it becomes official.
For further information, please see:
Alunaniya – Qatar: new Draft on Media law Restricts Exercise of Free Speech – 31 October 2012
Hamsayeh – Human Rights Watch Slams Hamad, Raps Qatar’s Media law – 31 October 2012
Guardian – Qatari Sheikh Must not Approve Media law, Says Human Rights Group – 30 October 2012
Human Rights Watch – Qatar: Revise Draft Media Law to Allow Criticism of Rulers – 30 October 2012
