UN Experts Raise Alarm Over Systematic Persecution of Baha’i Minority in Qatar

United Nations human rights experts have expressed grave concern regarding recent actions by Qatari authorities targeting members of the Baha’i community, underscoring a persistent and troubling pattern of discrimination based on religion and belief.

On 28 April 2025, Remy Rowhani, a respected 71-year-old Qatari citizen and Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Baha’is of Qatar, was detained under Qatar’s controversial Cyber Crime Prevention Law No. 14 of 2014. Authorities cited an account on the social media platform X, which represents Qatar’s Baha’i community, alleging it posed a threat to state security. Despite multiple hearings, most recently on 18 June 2025, Rowhani remains incarcerated awaiting a delayed trial now scheduled for 6 August 2025. Experts assert this case represents the second baseless religiously motivated prosecution against Rowhani.

“We are seriously concerned that Mr. Rowhani’s arrest and prolonged detention appear to be arbitrary and constitute part of a broader, troubling trend of targeting Baha’is solely due to their religious identity,” the UN experts stated. They emphasized that "the existence and peaceful online presence of Baha’is cannot legally constitute a criminal offense under international human rights standards."

In another alarming incident, Wahid Bahji, a lifelong resident and active member of Qatar’s Baha’i community serving on its National Spiritual Assembly, faced sudden deportation earlier this year. In January 2025, Qatari authorities accused Bahji of "disrupting public order," an allegation presented without any substantive evidence or legal precedent. Despite his longstanding, unblemished record, Bahji was expelled from Qatar on 22 March 2025 and subsequently blacklisted, preventing his return.

“This deportation and blacklisting appear solely based on Mr. Bahji’s religious affiliation, highlighting Qatar's disturbing disregard for fundamental human rights and international obligations,” the UN experts remarked. They noted with concern a troubling historical context in which Qatar has systematically deported and blacklisted Baha’is from diverse national backgrounds—including British, Malaysian, American, and others—over two decades.

Since Qatar’s independence, the government has consistently refused formal recognition or even basic engagement with the Baha’i community. This absence of official channels for dialogue exacerbates the community's challenges, significantly undermining their ability to address or challenge the discriminatory practices they face routinely.

“These relentless actions severely restrict freedoms integral to international human rights standards, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly and participation in cultural life,” the experts added. “Such systematic discrimination creates a profoundly intimidating environment for other Baha’is in Qatar, generating a chilling effect on the broader community.”

The UN experts reiterated their calls for Qatar to adhere to international human rights laws, urging authorities to cease immediately their discriminatory practices against the Baha’i minority. They have also indicated previous unsuccessful attempts to engage constructively with the Qatari government to address these serious human rights concerns.