THE ROLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS IN IMPROVING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS OF THE STATE OF QATAR

Abstract

This study provides a theoretically informed analysis of the human rights situation in the State of Qatar by using both secondary and interview data as main sources of evidence. Moreover, two different theories were used to understand the progress that Qatar has made in advancing the human rights agenda: the theory of diffusion and adoption of international human rights norms, and the theory of cultural relativism. By integrating these two theories in the research, this study has provided a novel interpretation of the human rights situation in Qatar, which the current academic literature is lacking. By applying the theory of cultural relativism, the research found that many of the tensions that exist between Qatar and the UN human rights mechanisms and international human rights organizations arise from the reading of human rights, that seek to both respect the international obligation of the state and commit to the cultural and religious norms that define the Qatari society. In this regard, the Western human rights organizations have failed to consider that human rights in Qatar are to be interpreted through Sharia lenses, thus such organizations are not paying adequate attention to the local culture and norms. In seeking to critically explore the role of UN human rights mechanisms and international NGOs in the context of promoting human rights in Qatar, the research uncovered that both the UN mechanisms and the international NGOs have a crucial role to play in the promotion of human rights in the state of Qatar. The cooperation with the different UN human rights mechanisms provided the much-needed technical and legal expertise to support Qatar in promoting and enhancing the human rights situation. In assessing the challenges that Qatar has faced in adopting the recommendations from the human rights mechanism, the research uncovered that there had been substantial resistance among Qatari policymakers to implement the recommendations conflicting with the Sharia law principles and cultural norms and values. Societal attitudes were also found to be a barrier preventing the state of Qatar from embracing a progressive human rights agenda, while the NGOs are burning their bridges with the Qatari government by overly criticizing the country.