Editing Politics of Qatar (section)

==Legal system==
[[Sharia]] is a main source of Qatari legislation according to Qatar's constitution.<ref name="con">{{cite web|title=The Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar|url=http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=25754&LawId=2284&language=en|publisher=Government of Qatar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075128/http://www.almeezan.qa/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=25754&LawId=2284&language=en|archive-date=2014-10-06}}</ref><ref name=qat1>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Qatar|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=9626|quote=According to Article 1: Qatar is an independent Arab country. Islam is its religion and Sharia law is the main source of its legislation.}}</ref> Sharia, derived from the Arabic term meaning 'the path to follow,' supposedly constitutes a divine revelation conveyed by [[God in Islam|God]] to the [[Prophet Muhammad]], the eminent figure in the establishment of Islam, in 570 AD. Consequently, Sharia embodies a religious framework characterized by its origins and regulations. This legal system, seemingly unidirectional, emanates from God to the individual. The Islamic Sharia is regarded as the primary foundation, necessitating the formulation of legislative and judicial frameworks grounded in Islamic legal principles to govern transactions within Qatari law.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Abdullah |first=Abdullah |date=2020-12-31 |title=The Legal Impact of Islamic Law in the Identity and Provisions of Qatari Legal System: Conceptual Frame and Legislative Directions |url=https://aljamiah.or.id/index.php/AJIS/article/view/58207 |journal=Al-Jami'ah: Journal of Islamic Studies |language=ar |volume=58 |issue=2 |pages=451–482 |doi=10.14421/ajis.2020.582.451-482 |issn=2338-557X|doi-access=free |hdl=10576/21709 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Sharia is applied to laws pertaining to [[family law]], [[inheritance]], and several [[criminal law|criminal acts]] (including adultery, robbery and murder). In some cases in Sharia-based [[family court]]s, a female's testimony is worth half a man's and in some cases a female witness is not accepted at all.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Qatar Gender Equality Profile |url=http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Qatar-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105203037/http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Qatar-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2019 |publisher=UNICEF}}</ref> Codified family law was introduced in 2006. In practice, Qatar's legal system is a mixture of [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] and Islamic law.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World Factbook|date=July 2022 |publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/171743.pdf|title=Qatar|publisher=[[US Department of State]]}}</ref>

No [[stoning]]s have ever been carried out in Qatar and it has been repealed as a legal sentance.<ref>https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/03/dialogue-qatar-experts-human-rights-committee-commend-legislative-revision-efforts-and</ref> [[Apostasy]] is a crime punishable by the [[death penalty]] in Qatar.<ref name="iheu">{{cite news |author=Jenifer Fenton |title=Religious law, prison for "blasphemy", severe sexual inequalilty: Qatar's human rights review |url=http://iheu.org/religious-law-prison-for-blasphemy-severe-sexual-inequalilty-qatars-human-rights-review/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429181228/https://humanists.international/2014/09/religious-law-prison-for-blasphemy-severe-sexual-inequalilty-qatars-human-rights-review/ |archive-date=29 April 2020}}</ref> [[Blasphemy]] is punishable by up to seven years in prison and [[proselytizing]] can be punished by up to 10 years in prison.<ref name=iheu /> [[Homosexuality]] is a crime punishable by the [[death penalty]] for Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|title=What are the worst countries in the world to be gay?|url=http://unitedexplanations.org/english/2014/05/20/what-are-the-worst-countries-in-the-world-to-be-gay/}}</ref>

In 2014, Qatar launched a modesty campaign to remind tourists of the modest dress code.<ref name="Leggings Are Not Pants">{{cite news |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |date=28 May 2014 |title='Leggings Are Not Pants' Qatar's New Modesty Campaign Aimed At Westerners' |newspaper=Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/05/28/qatar-modesty-world-cup_n_5405054.html}}</ref> Female tourists are advised not to wear leggings, miniskirts, sleeveless dresses and short or tight clothing in public. Men are advised against wearing only shorts and [[Sleeveless shirt|singlets]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Aningtias Jatmika |date=29 May 2014 |title=Qatar Bans Tourists from Wearing Leggings in Public |url=http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2014/05/29/240581035/Qatar-Bans-Tourists-from-Wearing-Leggings-in-Public}}</ref>

Commercial relationships are governed by Qatar's Civil Code.<ref>Pinsent Masons, [https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/adapting-fidic-provisions-for-use-in-qatar Adapting FIDIC provisions for use in Qatar], published 14 April 2016, accessed 28 December 2020</ref>

Qatar's government has been criticized for arresting and threatening anyone who dares to speak out.<ref>{{cite news |title=To silence dissidents, Gulf states are revoking their citizenship |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2016/11/26/to-silence-dissidents-gulf-states-are-revoking-their-citizenship}}</ref> In the report published by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on 13 September 2020, it was declared that Article 19 in the International Declaration of Human Rights stipulates that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference." Similarly, Article 47 in the Constitution of Qatar stipulates that freedom of expression is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances set forth in law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monitor |first=Euro-Med Human Rights |title=Qatar: Reforms must include the right to assembly and association |url=https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/3852/Qatar:-Reforms-must-include-the-right-to-assembly-and-association |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Alcohol===
[[Alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]] consumption is partially legal in Qatar, some five-star luxury hotels are allowed to sell alcohol to their non-Muslim customers.<ref name=wsj20120107>{{cite news |author= Alex Delmar-Morgan|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203686204577115923124889872 |title=Qatar, Unveiling Tensions, Suspends Sale of Alcohol |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=arabist20120115>{{cite news|author= Jenifer Fenton|url=http://www.arabist.net/blog/2012/1/15/qatars-impromptu-alcohol-ban.html |title=Qatar's Impromptu Alcohol Ban |publisher=The Arabist|date=16 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref> Muslims are not allowed to consume alcohol in Qatar and Muslims caught consuming alcohol are liable to [[flogging]] or deportation. Non-Muslim expatriates can obtain a permit to purchase alcohol for personal consumption. The Qatar Distribution Company (a subsidiary of [[Qatar Airways]]) is permitted to import alcohol and pork; it operates the one and only liquor store in the country, which also sells pork to holders of liquor licences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |title=Purchasing Alcohol in Qatar |publisher=Qatar Visitor |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501044507/http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |archive-date=1 May 2011 }}</ref> Qatari officials had also indicated a willingness to allow alcohol in "fan zones" at the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Qatar would 'welcome' Israel in 2022 |first=Tamara |last=Walid |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/qatar-would-welcome-israel-in-2022 |newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=10 August 2013}}</ref>

Until recently, restaurants on [[The Pearl Island]] (a human-made island near Doha) were allowed to serve alcoholic drinks.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name=arabist20120115 /> In December 2011, however, restaurants on The Pearl were told to stop selling alcohol.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name="er6012012">{{cite news|author = James M. Dorsey |url = http://www.eurasiareview.com/16012012-debate-questions-emir%E2%80%99s-powers-to-shape-qatar%E2%80%99s-positioning-as-sports-hub-and-sponsor-of-revolts-analysis |title = Debate Questions Emir's Powers To Shape Qatar's Positioning As Sports Hub And Sponsor of Revolts – Analysis |publisher = The Eurasia Review|date = 17 January 2012 |access-date = 17 January 2012}}</ref> No explanation was given for the ban.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name=arabist20120115 /> Speculation about the reason includes the government's desire to project a more pious image in advance of the country's first election of a royal advisory body and rumours of a financial dispute between the government and the resort's developers.<ref name=er6012012 /> Despite the economic consequences of the ban, many believe that it has been a necessary measure in order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of fans at the World Cup. Qatar's World Cup chief executive of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Nasser Al Khater, stated that the purpose of the designated sobering-up areas was to ensure the fans' safety.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drunk fans will be sent to special zones to sober up, says Qatar World Cup boss |url=https://news.sky.com/story/turning-world-cup-into-platform-of-political-statements-is-not-right-for-football-qatar-boss-says-12719115 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

===Workers===
On 16 January 2020 Qatar announced that most migrant workers who previously required an exit permit to leave Qatar would no longer require one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-20 |title=Qatar: End of Abusive Exit Permits for Most Migrant Workers {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/01/20/qatar-end-abusive-exit-permits-most-migrant-workers |access-date=2025-04-12 |language=en}}</ref>

Cases of ill-treatment of immigrant labour have been observed. The Nepalese ambassador to Qatar, Maya Kumari Sharma, described the emirate as an "open jail".<ref name=Guardian20130925>{{cite news|last=Pattisson|first=Pete|title=Revealed: Qatar's World Cup 'slaves'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/revealed-qatars-world-cup-slaves|access-date=26 September 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 September 2013|quote=So entrenched is this exploitation that the Nepalese ambassador to Qatar, Maya Kumari Sharma, recently described the emirate as an "open jail".}}</ref>
Qatar does not have national occupational health standards or guidelines, and workplace injuries are the third highest cause of accidental deaths.<ref>{{cite web|title=Occupational health |url=http://www.nhsq.info/strategy-goals-and-projects/preventive-healthcare/occupational-health |publisher=National Health Strategy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216021558/http://www.nhsq.info/strategy-goals-and-projects/preventive-healthcare/occupational-health |archive-date=December 16, 2012 }}</ref> In May 2012, Qatari officials declared their intention to allow the establishment of an independent trade union.<ref name="unions">{{cite web|title=Qatar to allow trade union, scrap 'sponsor' system|date=May 2012 |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/05/01/211482.html|publisher=Al Arabiya}}</ref> Qatar also announced it will scrap its sponsor system for foreign labour, which requires that all foreign workers be sponsored by local employers, who in some cases hold workers' passports and can deny them permission to change jobs.<ref name="unions"/>

In August 2022, 60 migrant workers were arrested and deported for protesting against the non-payment by their employer, Al Bandary International Group, a major construction and hospitality firm. Some of the demonstrators were from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Egypt and the Philippines had not been paid for seven months.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Qatar deports migrant workers protesting alleged abuse before World Cup |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/23/qatar-2022-fifa-world-cup-migrant-protest/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> According to a report published by [[France 24]], those protesters were detained for breaching public security laws and minority of protesters were deported by the order of court who failed to remain peaceful and breached Qatar's public security law. Qatar's [[Ministry of Labour (Qatar)|labour ministry]] said it will pay Al Bandary workers and will take further action against the company which was already under investigation for failing to pay wages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-23 |title=Qatar deports migrants after wage protest, rights group says |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220823-qatar-deports-migrants-after-wage-protest-rights-group-says |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>