Qatar: New Efforts to Deport Baha’i Leaders

As reported by Human Rights Watch, Qatari authorities have intensified their efforts to deport members of the Baha’i community, a move that the organization describes as a form of religious discrimination. The report, published in June 2026, details how several Baha’i residents, some of whom have lived in Qatar for decades, have been served with deportation orders or had their residency permits arbitrarily revoked. According to Human Rights Watch, these individuals have not been charged with any crimes, and the authorities have provided little to no justification for these administrative actions. The report alleges that the Qatari government is systematically targeting the Baha’i community to reduce its presence in the country, reflecting a broader intolerance for non-Muslim religious minorities. The organization claims that those targeted are often professionals who have contributed significantly to Qatari society, yet they are being forced to leave their homes and livelihoods with very little notice. Furthermore, the report highlights that the lack of a clear legal process for appealing these decisions leaves the affected individuals in a state of legal limbo and vulnerability. Human Rights Watch argues that these deportations violate international human rights standards regarding the right to residency and freedom of religion. The report calls on the Qatari government to immediately cease these discriminatory practices, reinstate the residency status of those affected, and provide a transparent legal framework that protects the rights of all religious communities within the state.