Qatar

Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup left a legacy of widespread migrant labor abuses, including thousands of unexplained deaths, rampant wage theft, and exorbitant recruitment fees. Qatari authorities and FIFA have failed to compensate abused workers who made the tournament possible. Migrant workers also faced new forms of exploitation after the tournament ended and are at risk of government backtracking on existing reforms. Qatari laws discriminate against women due to abusive male guardianship policies and against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Authorities restrict free expression and have strengthened their surveillance capabilities.

Labor Rights

November 4, 2025
Commentary
Human Rights Watch Remarks to European Parliament Trade Committee on EU-Gulf relations

Joey Shea

Researcher, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
Religious Freedom

October 14, 2025
News Release
Qatar: Baha’i Dignitary Acquitted
Religious Freedom

September 16, 2025
News Release
Qatar: Quash Baseless Conviction against Baha’i Dignitary

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July 18, 2023 News Release

Middle East and North Africa: End Curbs on Women’s Mobility

Male Guardianship Rules Hamper Travel, Other Movement
October 20, 2022 Report

Qatar/FIFA: Reimburse Migrant Workers’ Recruitment Fees

Exorbitant Illegal Charges for People Hired to Build World Cup Infrastructure
August 12, 2022 Report

FIFA/Qatar: Commit to Compensate Abused Migrant Workers

Existing Compensation Mechanisms Critical Starting Point to Fix Longstanding Wrongs
March 29, 2021 Report

“Everything I Have to Do is Tied to a Man”

Women and Qatar’s Male Guardianship Rules