In a path-breaking development which has been hailed as the first in the region, Qatar’s Cabinet has specified the categories of people who are eligible for political asylum in the country. The Cabinet decision follows a law issued by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in September last year regulating political asylum in the country.
Those who can take refuge in the country include human rights activists, journalists, political activists and even government officials who are facing persecution in their countries for their work.
The five categories of people who are eligible to apply for political asylum the country are the following:
- Human rights defenders who are being prosecuted and threatened with arrest, imprisonment or torture because of their positions against human rights violations or those who have fled due to sentences imposed on them.
- Journalists and other representatives of the visual and print media covering war crimes and crimes against humanity etc who are subject to prosecution and threats because of their work.
- Persons belonging to political parties, religious communities or ethnic minorities who are subject to persecution because of such affiliation.
- Writers and researchers who express their opinions in newspapers, magazines or blogs and are subject to prosecution and threats because of this.
- Former or current government officials who oppose their governments or dissidents who fear being prosecuted and threatened.
According to the Cabinet decision, those getting asylum will also be entitled to several privileges and rights, like health and education for his children. The political refugee can bring his wife and first-degree members of his family, including children who should be under 18 years of age.
He will be entitled to a monthly stipend of QR3,000 ($820) and QR800 ($220) each for his spouse and children, until he finds a job. He will be allowed to work in the state except in jobs related to the security of the country.
The law issued last year regulating political asylum was widely welcomed by international agencies. Human Rights Watch said in October the law showed Doha’s commitment to refugee rights and it was a role model for the region and represented a major step forward in a region that has historically been closed to refugees and people seeking asylum.
The European Parliament, too, had welcomed the law, noting it provided real security for political exiles. “This legislation is the first of its kind in the region,” the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar had said.