“I call on Qatar to uphold the rights of the Baha'i community and to ensure that Baha'is are no longer expelled from the country or forced to leave” said Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Bert-Jan Ruissen in light of an event on the human rights situation of Baha'is and Christians in Qatar he co-hosted with the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance. The event titled Qatar: Addressing the limitations of religious freedom for Baha'is and Christians took place at the European Parliament and gathered representatives from the European Parliament, civil society organisations, the media and academics.

The event took place a few days after the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the “Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA football world cup in Qatar”, which calls on the Qatari authorities to “ensure respect for the human rights of all [...] including for their freedom of religion and belief”.

“Baha'is have lived in Qatar for almost 80 years,” said Rachel Bayani, Representative of the Baha'i International Community, “but face discrimination in their personal and public life. The cumulative effect of these acts threatens the very existence of this religious community in Qatar.”

Among the panelists was Bill Lawson, a Baha'i who, on account of his faith, is forced to live apart from his family after having seen his resident permit discontinued and being subsequently expelled from Qatar in 2015. “My wife remained in Qatar with our children to take care of her own elderly parents,” Lawson explained. Since then, he has systematically been denied entry. Mr. Lawson stressed that his story is not an isolated case. “When I lived in Qatar, other Baha'is were expelled from the country and many of our youth were denied employment opportunities. These young people, many of whom were born and raised in Qatar and knew no other home, had no other choice but to leave. Some, who subsequently attempted to return, were denied entry and were blacklisted.”

In his closing remarks, MEP Ruissen stressed the importance of shedding light on the “difficult situation for religious minorities in Qatar,” adding that effort would continue to be made in that regard.