HRW accuses Qatar of discriminating against Baha'i minority
Human Rights Watch on Sunday (May 25, 2025) accused Qatar of discriminating against the Baha'i religious minority, citing arbitrary detentions and warning of a threat to the community's survival in the Gulf state.
"The Baha'i community of Qatar has endured decades of government discrimination and intimidation, and authorities have consistently ignored community leaders' repeated efforts to engage the government in dialogue and seek redress," said Michael Page, HRW's deputy Middle East director.
"This state-sponsored discrimination poses a threat to the very existence of the Baha'i community of Qatar," he said in a statement.
The Baha'i faith, whose global headquarters is in Israel, claims more than seven million followers worldwide.
It is based on the teachings of Bahaullah, who was born in Iran in 1817 and is considered the prophet and founder of their monotheistic faith.
Between 2003 and 2025, Qatar "deported as many as 14 members of the group for no apparent reason other than individuals belonging to the Baha'i faith", HRW said.
It cited the case of an Iranian Baha'i born in Qatar who was forced to leave in March 2025 under threat of expulsion for "disrupting public order", without a written explanation.
The New York-based rights group also mentioned Remy Rowhani, arrested and detained on April 28 over posts from an X account linked to the Baha'i community, under Qatar's cybercrime law.
Mr. Rowhani, chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Qatar, had already been released in January 2025 after serving a one-month prison sentence, HRW added.
The group said Baha'is had also faced job rejections and denial of official documents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 minutes ago
- Time of India
Social media fuelling 'devastating' kids' mental health crisis: NGO
The report said what it termed "problematic" social media use was on the rise, with a direct link between heavy internet use and suicide blanket bans are not the answer, the group warned. Australia passed a law to ban social media use for under-16s. "Such blanket bans may infringe on children's civil and political rights," including access to information, said the report. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The "unchecked expansion" of social media platforms is driving an unprecedented global mental health crisis in kids and teens, a children's NGO said Wednesday, calling for urgent coordinated action KidsRights report said one in seven children and adolescents aged between 10 and 19 suffered mental health issues, with the global suicide rate at six per 100,000 for those aged these high rates represent "the tip of the iceberg" as suicide is widely under-reported due to stigma, according to the Amsterdam-based group."This year's report is a wake-up call that we cannot ignore any longer" said Marc Dullaert, KidsRights chairman."The mental health... crisis among our children has reached a tipping point, exacerbated by the unchecked expansion of social media platforms that prioritise engagement over child safety," he report said what it termed "problematic" social media use was on the rise, with a direct link between heavy internet use and suicide blanket bans are not the answer, the group passed a law to ban social media use for under-16s."Such blanket bans may infringe on children's civil and political rights," including access to information, said the group urged "comprehensive child rights impact assessments" at a global level for social media platforms, better education for kids, and improved training for mental health report seized on the popularity of Netflix sensation "Adolescence", which highlighted some of the toxic content kids view mini-series "demonstrated global awareness of these issues, but awareness alone is insufficient," said Dullaert."We need concrete action to ensure that the digital revolution serves to enhance, not endanger, the wellbeing of the world's 2.2 billion children," he said. "The time for half-measures is over.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Go after them and their families': Islamist terror leader calls for assassination of Donald Trump, JD Vance in 30-minute rant; watch video
(Photo: X) An Islamist terror group leader has released a disturbing video calling for the assassination of US President Donald Trump , Vice President JD Vance, and several top advisers. He said their strong support for Israel was the reason behind the threat, according to the New York Post. The Yemen-based figure is Sa'ad bin Atef al-Awlaki, who is the leader of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). In a disturbing 34‑minute video titled 'Inciting the Believers', released on Sunday, the terror leader urged American Muslims to 'take revenge' and strike at those he called 'infidel Americans'. He named Trump, Vance, as well as figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio , Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and billionaire Elon Musk . 'Go after them and their families and all those who have any ties or are close to the politicians of the White House,' al‑Awlaki said. He further said, 'There are no red lines after what has been happening to our people in Gaza,' and endorsed recent antisemitic attacks and prior assassination attempts on Trump, according to security sources. The video also includes a broader incitement of violence against Jewish people in the US. 'Do not leave a single safe place for Jews — just as they have not left any homes, shelters, or respite for the Palestinians,' al‑Awlaki said. 'Even hospitals are being bombed … Take revenge.' Al‑Awlaki became head of AQAP in March 2024 and has a $6 million US bounty on his head offered by the State Department. AQAP is officially designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government. The Associated Press reported that al‑Awlaki's video was his first since assuming leadership and also urged lone‑wolf attacks targeting leaders in Egypt, Jordan and Gulf states over the Gaza conflict. According to analysts, AQAP appears to be trying to regain prominence amid growing tensions in Gaza and rising influence of the Iran‑backed Houthi movement in Yemen.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Karnataka's Totapuri Mango Growers In A Squeeze As Andhra Pradesh Ban Cuts Off Key Markets
This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years, resulting in a pile-up In Karnataka's orchards, Totapuri mango growers are facing a crisis—Their prized mangoes might be reduced to pulp before even reaching the processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The fears of these farmers were confirmed when Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajnish, wrote to her Andhra Pradesh counterpart, arguing that the ban imposed by the Chittoor district's Collector should not prevent farmers from Karnataka from accessing these crucial markets. 'This sudden and unilateral decision has caused significant distress among Karnataka's mango farmers, particularly those in border districts. They grow large volumes of Totapuri mangoes and rely heavily on Chittoor-based processing units," Rajnish wrote. 'This disruption in interstate trade threatens their livelihoods and may result in substantial post-harvest losses." She further warned that such a move could undermine cooperative federalism and might lead to retaliatory actions, such as obstructing vegetable inflows from Andhra Pradesh, escalating interstate tensions—a scenario she urged to avoid. Rajnish requested immediate intervention from her counterpart, K. Vijayanand, to revoke the ban. However, Chittoor Collector Sumeet Kumar defended the decision, asserting that it was necessary to protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh's mango growers. Kumar explained to News18 that Chittoor had a bumper crop this year, causing market prices to plummet. Allowing mangoes from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would further depress prices, harming local farmers. Kumar noted that a team from Karnataka's Kolar district was already in Chittoor to assess the situation, and Andhra Pradesh had asked Karnataka for detailed mango production data. The aim, he said, was not to stop trade but to ensure Andhra Pradesh farmers did not suffer losses. With the mango season ending, the Andhra Pradesh government expects a surge in produce hitting processing centres. Speaking to News18, Vijayanand acknowledged receiving the letter and stated that they would monitor the situation and decide on the next steps soon. Around three lakh tonnes of Totapuri mangoes are sent annually from Karnataka to pulp processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This year, processing units in both states are offering only Rs 4 per kilogram for Totapuri mangoes, which is inadequate, according to Nalathur Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar Mango Producers Association. 'Andhra Pradesh has set a minimum support price of Rs 8 per kilogram, subsidised by the government to Rs 4 per kilogram. Our harvest season has just begun, and we need to sell our produce within the next month," he said. Processing units in southern India are primarily based in Chittoor and Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years. Low yields in previous years forced units to pay higher prices, resulting in a pile-up due to low offtake by multinational companies and exports. In response, the Kolar Mango Growers Association has called for a bandh in Srinivasapura on Wednesday, protesting the Karnataka government's failure to open more processing units within the state. Currently, Karnataka has a few units in Kolar, Hoskote, and Tumakuru. First Published: June 11, 2025, 11:03 IST
