Qatari authorities have been accused of discriminating against the Baha’i community, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization highlighted cases of unlawful detentions and deportations based solely on religious identity.
Remy Rowhani, chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Qatar, was detained on April 28, 2025. Previously released in January after a one-month sentence, his detention raises concerns about state-sponsored discrimination. “The Baha’i community of Qatar has endured decades of government discrimination and intimidation,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch reports that Qatari authorities have deported as many as 14 Baha’is since 2003 without clear reasons other than their faith. Employment terminations and denial of good conduct certificates are among the documented discriminatory practices.
Efforts to engage Qatari officials for dialogue have reportedly been ignored. Many fear reprisals if they raise public alarm over these issues.
Islam is Qatar’s official religion; however, despite constitutional guarantees for religious freedom, legal and administrative discrimination persists against Baha’is. A high-ranking Qatari religious figure allegedly suggested conversion to Sunni Islam could prevent deportation.
The Baha’i faith originated in Iran in the 19th century and emphasizes unity across religions. In addition to facing deportations, the community has struggled with delayed cemetery reestablishment efforts and non-recognition of marriage certificates by elected institutions.
Rowhani faced charges under Law No. (15) of 2014 regarding charitable activities for collecting funds without permission before this law took effect—a move that contradicts both Qatar’s constitution and international covenants. Despite assurances from immigration authorities that he was free to travel, Rowhani was arrested again in December 2024 at Hamad International Airport.
He was later charged under the Cybercrime Prevention Law for operating an account representing the Qatari Baha’i community which shared content limited to celebrating holidays and values. Dr. Saba Haddad from the Baha’i International Community described these charges as an attack on both Rowhani and the broader community.
Another individual faced a deportation order in January 2025 after being told he disrupted public order—a claim attributed to “immense pressure from above.” His departure followed unsuccessful attempts to overturn or delay the decision.
The United Nations special rapporteurs have documented over two decades of similar incidents affecting families’ cohesion and economic stability within Qatar’s Baha’i population. “Qatar should immediately stop deporting and blacklisting Baha’is,” urged Page.
