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Autocracy - No Political Parties - Judges at Government's Pleasure
No Freedom of Speech - No Workers’ Rights - Women Discrimination

Compare Freedom Score of Qatar (Not Free) and Israel (Free)
Source: Freedom House (PDF, 187 KB)

Compare Human Development Index of Qatar (0.826) and Israel (0.905) (PDF, 670 KB)
Source: United Nations Human Development Report 2003

Compare Corruption Index of Qatar (4.7), Israel (7.3), Germany (7.3) and USA (7.7)
Source: Transparency International (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Report on Human Rights Practices 2001 (U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor): "Qatar, an Arab state on the Persian Gulf, is a monarchy with no constitution or political arties. It is governed by the ruling Al-Thani family through its head, the Amir. The judiciary is ominally independent, but judges hold their positions at the Government's pleasure. The law does not provide for freedom of speech and of the press, and the Government imposes some estrictions on these rights in practice.

The right of association is limited strictly. The law prohibits all workers, including foreigners, from forming labor unions. Workers are prohibited from engaging in collective bargaining. Wages are set unilaterally by employers without government involvement.

The activities of women are restricted closely both by law and tradition. For example, a woman is prohibited from applying for a driver's license unless she has permission from a male guardian. This restriction does not apply to noncitizen women. The Government adheres to Shari'a as practiced in the country in matters of inheritance and child custody. Muslim wives have the right to inherit from their husbands. However, they inherit only one-half as much as male relatives. Non-Muslim wives inherit nothing, unless a special exception is arranged. Women may attend court proceedings but generally are represented by a male relative; however, women may represent themselves. According to Shari'a, the testimony of two women equals that of one man, but the courts routinely interpret this on a case-by-case basis."

International Religious Freedom Report (U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor): "There is no constitutional protection for freedom of religion, and the Government officially prohibits public worship by non-Muslims … Shari'a law and local tradition impose significant restrictions on Muslim women. These restrictions do not apply to noncitizen women. For example, a woman is prohibited from applying for a driver's license unless she has permission from a male guardian. The Government adheres to Shari'a as practiced in the country in matters of inheritance and child custody. Muslim wives have the right to inherit from their husbands. However, they inherit only one-half as much as male relatives. Non-Muslim wives inherit nothing, unless a special exception is arranged. In cases of divorce, Shari’a is followed; younger children remain with the mother and older children with the father. Both parents retain permanent rights of visitation. However, local authorities do not allow a noncitizen parent to take his or her child out of the country without permission of the citizen parent. Women may attend court proceedings but generally are represented by a male relative; however, women may represent themselves. According to Shari’a, the testimony of two women equals that of one man ..."

Trafficking in Persons Report 2002 (U.S. Department of State) (PDF, 630 KB) - Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Qatar - 2001 (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of U.S. Department of State)
Library of Congress's Country Studies (Qatar)
CIA World Factbook (Qatar)