Press Release
The human rights record of the State of Qatar was reviewed by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council on November 12, 2024. This marks the fourth review of Qatar’s record since the inception of this mechanism.
The session, held in Geneva and broadcast live online, featured Qatar as one of 14 countries whose records were reviewed during the session held from November 4 to 15, 2024.
Qatar’s delegation was led by Hind bint Abdul Rahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. The delegation included representatives from the National Standing Committee for the Preparation of Reports related to the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, and ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Interior, Social Development and Family, Labor, Public Health, Justice, Culture, Sports and Youth, Education and Higher Education, Environment and Climate Change, Municipality, Transport, and Communications and Information Technology. Additionally, representatives from the Supreme Judiciary Council, the Public Prosecution, and the National Committee on Women, Children, the Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities were also part of the delegation.
During the session, Qatar presented progress made in the field of human rights since the previous review, highlighting legislative and institutional reforms, including advancements in labor rights, women’s empowerment, and improvements in health and education services. The delegation also addressed ongoing challenges and efforts to overcome them.
A total of 118 countries participated in the discussion, offering comments and recommendations. Most countries commended Qatar’s efforts to fulfill its human rights obligations during the review period. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review is expected to adopt the recommendations for Qatar on November 15, 2024.
The Universal Periodic Review is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council, under which all UN member states undergo periodic reviews of their human rights records. This process provides an opportunity to share best practices, address challenges, and strengthen international cooperation in the field of human rights.
