Human Rights Watch (HRW) has strongly condemned Qatar following the sentencing of Remy Rowhani, the 71-year-old leader of the country’s Bahai community, to a five-year prison term. The organization denounced the verdict as a severe blow to religious freedom and an act of targeted persecution.
Key Takeaways
- Remy Rowhani, president of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais in Qatar, received a five-year jail sentence.
- The charges against Rowhani include violating public order and religious and social values, stemming from his promotion of the Bahai faith on social media.
- Human Rights Watch asserts that Rowhani is being targeted solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and religion.
Condemnation of Qatar’s Actions
HRW’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, Michael Page, stated that imprisoning Rowhani based on his religious identity and activities within the Bahai community in Qatar represents a significant human rights violation. "The Qatari authorities should respect fundamental freedoms and immediately release Rowhani," Page urged.
According to HRW, Rowhani was convicted, in part, for "promoting ideas that question the foundations and teachings of Islam." This conviction occurred despite Qatar’s constitution officially prohibiting discrimination based on sex, origin, language, or religion and affirming freedom of worship.
Pattern of Persecution
The sentencing follows a pattern of actions against the Bahai community in Qatar. HRW reported that between 2003 and 2025, Qatari authorities expelled up to 14 members of the community without clear justification, other than their affiliation with the Bahai faith.
Rowhani’s arrest last April was reportedly under Qatar’s cybercrime law, related to posts made from an anonymous account. This incident occurred only months after he had been released from a one-month prison sentence.
Sources
- Human Rights Watch condemns Qatar over jailing of Bahai leader, Middle East Eye.
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