Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Amnesty International USA Highlights Worker Abuses in Qatar at FIFA Hearing
Amnesty International USA highlighted the exploitation of migrant workers in Qatar and called for reforms today at a hearing held by the Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee. Sunjeev Bery, AIUSA Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, testified before the committee concerning the on-the-ground reality for thousands of foreign migrant workers toiling in preparation for the 2022 World Cup and concrete steps that can be taken to improve their working and living conditions.
July 15, 2015
Press Release
Dropping the Ball: Qatar Failing to Make Progress on Migrant Rights
More than a year after Qatar’s government promised limited reforms to improve migrant labor rights, hopes of true progress are fading fast, says Amnesty International in a new briefing published today.
May 29, 2015
Report
Promising Little, Delivering Less: Qatar and Migrant Labor Abuse Ahead of the 2022 Football World Cup
More than a year after Qatar’s government promised limited reforms to improve migrant labor rights, hopes of true progress are fading fast, says Amnesty International in a new briefing published today.
May 20, 2015
Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
February 25, 2015
Report
No Extra Time: How Qatar is Still Failing on Workers’ Rights Ahead of the World Cup
Qatar’s authorities are lagging severely behind on efforts to address the rampant abuse of migrant workers’ rights, despite the government's announcement of a series of reforms to tackle exploitation ahead of the 2022 World Cup. "No Extra Time: How Qatar is Still Failing on Workers’ Rights Ahead of the World Cup" sets out how the Qatari government has failed to reform the systems that facilitate the abuse of migrant workers and has made only minimal progress on a number of plans it announced in May 2014.
November 10, 2014
Report
‘My Sleep Is My Break’ Exploitation Of Migrant Domestic Workers In Qatar
Qatar's laws do not limit the number of hours a day or the number of days a week that domestic workers can be asked to work. At its worst extreme, the abuse of domestic workers can involve physical and sexual abuse.
April 26, 2014
Press Release
Qatar’s Unpaid Migrant Construction Workers Left To Go Hungry
More than 80 migrant construction workers in Qatar who worked for nearly a year without pay are facing serious food shortages and need urgent government assistance.
December 18, 2013
Report
The Dark Side of Migration: Spotlight on Qatar’s Construction Sector Ahead of the World Cup
The awarding of the 2022 World Cup has brought increased global prominence to Qatar, but also intensified scrutiny. The abuses against migrant workers in the construction sector in Qatar are grim. Amnesty International's research reveals widespread exploitation of migrant workers at the hands of their employers.
November 17, 2013
Report
Annual Report: Qatar 2013
State of Qatar Head of state Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Head of government Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Freedom of expression continued to be curtailed. New cases of torture emerged. Women continued to face discrimination in law and practice, as well as violence. Foreign migrant workers, who comprised the majority of the workforce, were exploited, abused and inadequately protected under the law. At least one death sentence was imposed; no executions were reported. Freedom of expression The authorities maintained strict controls on freedom of expression, and moved to tighten these further with a new draft media law.…
May 23, 2013
Press Release
Qatar: Outrageous life sentence for ‘Jasmine poet’
A life sentence handed today to a Qatari poet has all the hallmarks of an outrageous betrayal of free speech, Amnesty International has said.
November 29, 2012
Report
Annual Report: Qatar 2011
Head of state: Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani Head of government: Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani Death penalty: retentionist Population: 1.5 million Life expectancy: 76 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 10/10 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 93.1 per cent Women continued to face discrimination and violence. Migrant workers were exploited and abused, and inadequately protected under the law. Around 100 people remained arbitrarily deprived of their nationality. Sentences of flogging were passed. Death sentences continued to be upheld, although no executions were carried out. Background In June, a woman was appointed as a judge, for the first time in Qatar,…
July 13, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Condemns Qatar for Deporting Rape Survivor Eman al-Obeidi to Libya
Amnesty International Condemns Qatar for Deporting Rape Survivor Eman al-Obeidi to Libya Calls Deporation “Outrageous," Risk to Woman’s Safety and Violation of International Law Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, [email protected] (New York) – Amnesty International today condemned the Qatari government’s deportation to Libya of Eman al-Obeidi, the woman who publicly accused Libyan soldiers of rape. The organization said Qatar violated international law and compromised the woman’s safety. Eman al-Obeidi was deported by Qatari officials on Thursday to Benghazi in eastern Libya, stronghold of the opposition to Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi. “It is outrageous that Eman al-Obeidi has again been taken away against…
June 6, 2011