Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut

Beirut, May 25: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised serious concerns over the treatment of the Baha'i religious minority in Qatar, alleging a pattern of state-backed discrimination, arbitrary detentions, and deportations that threaten the very existence of the community in the Gulf nation.

In a strongly-worded statement issued on Sunday, Michael Page, Deputy Director for the Middle East at HRW, said, “The Baha’i community of Qatar has endured decades of government discrimination and intimidation. Authorities have consistently ignored community leaders' repeated efforts to engage the government in dialogue and seek redress.”

According to HRW, between 2003 and 2025, as many as 14 Baha'is were deported from Qatar, allegedly without clear justification apart from their religious identity. The organization cited the case of an Iranian Baha’i born in Qatar who was forced to leave the country in March 2025, accused of "disrupting public order"—a claim reportedly made without written explanation or due process.

The watchdog also highlighted the recent arrest of Remy Rowhani, chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Qatar, who was detained on April 28 over social media posts attributed to an account associated with the Baha’i community. HRW claims the detention was carried out under Qatar’s controversial cybercrime law, often criticized for curbing free expression. Rowhani had earlier served a one-month prison sentence in January 2025, and was released without further charges at that time.

Beyond arrests and deportations, the Baha'i community in Qatar reportedly faces systemic marginalisation in daily life. HRW’s findings suggest that Baha'is have been denied job opportunities, faced rejection of official documents, and endured institutional exclusion in various state systems.

The Baha'i faith, which has its world headquarters in Israel, is based on the teachings of Baha’u’llah, born in Iran in 1817. The religion is monotheistic and promotes unity and peace, with over seven million followers worldwide.

HRW’s Page warned that the Qatari government’s policies pose an existential threat to the Baha’i population in the country, urging authorities to end discriminatory practices and engage in meaningful dialogue with the community.

The Qatari government has yet to respond publicly to these allegations.

As global attention increases on minority rights in the Gulf, this report is expected to draw the scrutiny of international human rights observers and diplomatic allies of Qatar alike.