Madame Chairperson,

Since our last statement at the 46th session of the Council, the situation of the Baha'is in Qatar has not improved and in fact, it has worsened.

In a slow, yet systematic process, the authorities are pursuing a number of actions which will ultimately lead to the eradication of the entire Baha'i community from that country, many of whom were born in Qatar and whose families have been there for generations. Baha'is can no longer obtain certificates of good conduct in order to secure employment and their residency permits are not being renewed, even if they have employment. These moves imply that they have committed some legal offence, however, no proof is ever presented. In fact, their only crime is their belief in the Baha'i Faith.

Even Qatari Baha'is who are married to foreigners are being forced to reside outside their own country. And now the authorities have raised a completely unsubstantiated criminal case against a very prominent Qatari Baha'i and condemned him to imprisonment without due process.

Qatar’s voluntary pledges for candidature of the Human Rights Council include supporting coexistence between different religions and playing a positive role in advancing human rights. One must therefore ask why Qatar is implementing such a systematic campaign aimed at suffocating its Baha'i community, through policies and practices that mirror some of those we see in neighbouring Iran?

We call on the international community to impress upon the Qatari authorities that they cannot claim a seat on the Council until they guarantee the rights of all those living in Qatar to freely practice the religion of their choice, both alone and in community with others.