
The Qatar Weekly Update (QWU) – Part Of The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – No. 4, January 28, 2025
"In October, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) raised concerns regarding reports of discrimination of religious minorities in the country, including the Baha'i Faith community, some of whom are citizens. According to CESCR, Baha'is were subjected to administrative deportation and blacklisting, resulting in loss of employment and familial separation." – 2023 US International Religious Freedom Report, https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/qatar/
Op-ed: "End America's unwise alliance with Qatar," by Michael Pregent, a former U.S. intelligence officer who also served as a Defense Department advisor on the Iraqi security forces from 2006 to 2011 – see https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4422149-end-americas-unwise-alliance-with-qatar/
The Continued Arbitrary Detention of Sheikh Talal Al-Thani in Qatar. "The deprivation of liberty of Sheikh Talal bin Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Ali Aal Thani, being in contravention of articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (1), 9, 10 (1), 11, 14, 16 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is arbitrary and falls within categories I, III and V."- see https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3991796/files/A_HRC_WGAD_2021_47-EN.pdf See also Fox News: "Fear grows for jailed Qatari royal amid health decline as wife pleads at UN for release – his wife is waging David vs. Goliath struggle against the wealthy Qatari monarchy" – see https://www.foxnews.com/world/fear-grows-for-jailed-qatari-royal-amid-health-decline-as-wife-pleads-at-un-for-release
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraq Business
3 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq Launches QR Code Platform to Combat Counterfeit Goods
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani reaffirmed his government's continued support for the industrial sector, the modernisation of the banking system, and tighter oversight at border crossings to block the entry of substandard goods. Speaking on Thursday at a ceremony held by the Iraqi Federation of Industries (IFI) to mark National Industry Day , the Prime Minister officially launched a national QR code platform for Iraqi industrial products. This digital initiative is intended to: Safeguard the authenticity of Iraqi goods Prevent the circulation of counterfeit products Strengthen the identity of local brands Prepare Iraqi goods for export through compliance with global supply chain standards Improve international market access Boost confidence in Iraqi manufacturing abroad Support economic growth and digitisation Accelerate digital transformation in production and retail According to a press release, the initiative reflects the government's broader strategy to revitalise local industry, improve trade standards, and align with international best practices in product verification and logistics. (Source: PMO)


Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Following Shafaq Probe, Iraq orders global hunt for "forgotten" billions in state assets
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct ambassadors, consuls, and diplomatic missions abroad to take concrete steps in identifying and reclaiming state-owned assets held overseas. The step came after Shafaq News investigation, citing senior diplomatic sources, revealed that Iraq owns at least 50 properties and investment ventures spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa. These include luxurious palaces, farms, banks, commercial offices, and key industrial facilities, many of which have remained unaccounted for since the fall of the previous regime. Committee member Mokhtar al-Mousawi told Shafaq News that Iraq possesses numerous properties and assets across various countries, all backed by official documentation. However, he stressed that these holdings require serious efforts to be formally registered under the Iraqi state once again. 'These assets include properties that were entrusted to individuals or registered under private names during the former regime. With the right diplomatic engagement, they can be recovered,' al-Mousawi stated. He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to instruct Iraq's ambassadors and consuls to intensify their efforts to restore these properties—some of which are worth millions of dollars. According to al-Mousawi, notable examples include a large mosque in Australia, expansive tea plantations in Sri Lanka, and agricultural lands in Yemen. On domestic assets tied to the former regime, al-Mousawi noted that some seized properties in Baghdad's Green Zone are now being sold to current occupants at a rate of four million Iraqi dinars per square meter—a figure he criticized as undervaluing the strategic importance and location of these properties.


Shafaq News
7 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Defense Minister: Coalition presence in Syria "necessary"
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit al-Abbasi on Friday said the presence of Global Coalition forces in Syria remains necessary, noting that Iraq's security is closely linked to stability in its neighboring country. In an interview with Al Arabiya, al-Abbasi confirmed that coordination with the US-led coalition remains intact, adding, 'Baghdad has not received any official notification regarding changes to the withdrawal schedule of coalition forces from either Syria or Iraq.' The minister stressed that the continued presence of US and coalition forces in Syria remains 'necessary to confront remnants of the terrorist organization, which still poses a cross-border threat.' Currently, around 2,500 US troops remain stationed in Iraq, with approximately 900 deployed in Syria. Discussions on the future of these forces have been ongoing for months.