World Report 2026: Qatar (Events of 2025)

According to Human Rights Watch's World Report 2026, published on 4 February 2026 and covering events of 2025, Qatar under Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani continues to face systematic criticism across a range of human rights and labor issues. The report alleges that the kafala sponsorship system continues to enable the exploitation of migrant workers, despite reform announcements, with widespread reports of unpaid wages and unexplained deaths among migrant workers that authorities have failed to adequately investigate. HRW further documents the continued operation of a male guardianship system that discriminates against women, restricting their ability to travel, marry, and access services without male permission. According to the report, LGBT people in Qatar face criminalization and discrimination, and religious minorities — including the Baha'i community — report persecution and restrictions. The report also criticizes the lack of justice for abuses committed during the construction of infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, noting that workers and their families have been left without meaningful remedies. HRW argues that the gap between Qatar's international commitments and its domestic practices remains wide, and calls on the government to enforce labor reforms, protect freedom of expression, and end discrimination against women, LGBT people, and religious minorities. The findings are as reported by Human Rights Watch.