UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 23) … Similarly, there was a decline in the number of cases of domestic violence in 2015 with respect to the preceding year, after the phenomenon had taken an upward trend in the years since 2008.
Para 30) With regard to recommendations related to combating domestic violence and in addition to the legislative measures in that regard already adopted by the State, Qatar has continued its policy of combating all forms of domestic violence against women and children, including violence against domestic workers. The Hamad Medical Corporation has adopted policies to address the problem of violence against women and imposes an obligation on medical staff to report suspected cases of violence.
Para 31) The protective role of the Ministry of the Interior towards victims of domestic violence is exercised by the community police. This consists in providing support and assistance through the Ministry’s Social Support Department and, in coordination with the competent judicial authorities, empowering victims to gain access to justice in order to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. The Ministry provides a hotline service to ensure the authorities can intervene early to block and prevent violence against women and, in coordination with the Family Court, it has established a unit within the Social Support Department for the implementation of judicial rulings in cases of domestic violence.
Para 32) Since members of regional communities are more likely to be familiar with cases in which families are exposed to domestic violence, the Community Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior, in coordination with the security services, has implemented a police council regional service programme.
Para 33) The Community Police Department has organized a number of awareness-raising activities to prevent violence in schools. These include participation in events and in research projects aimed at addressing the general situation of women.
Para 34) The Community Police Department takes various measures to protect women. These include: enforcement of Family Court rulings; providing social services for cases as they arise; coordinating action by citizens, civil society institutions and specialized centres; facilitating the provision of advisory services; organizing awareness-raising campaigns; encouraging the peaceful resolution of family disputes; bolstering oversight, policing and community patrols in residential areas; supporting studies and programmes on the protection of women; and monitoring cases submitted by security departments and other bodies.
Para 35) In June 2015, Qatar amended the statutes of the Social Protection and Rehabilitation Centre (formerly the Qatari Institution for Social Protection and Rehabilitation), thereby strengthening the system of social protection and rehabilitation for vulnerable categories in Qatar, such as victims of violence and family breakdown, especially women and children. It should be noted that the Centre is a private establishment of public utility and is subject to the provisions of Decree-Law No. 21 of 2006 on private establishments of public utility, as amended.
Para 36) The Social Protection and Rehabilitation Centre acts to achieve its objectives and fulfil its functions, which include providing temporary shelter to vulnerable categories, running a hotline to receive communications relating to such categories and offering social, psychological and legal advice, as well as legal assistance to those who cannot otherwise afford it. In addition, the Centre implements special programmes aimed at empowering and rehabilitating victims of violence and family breakdown, especially women and children, and reintegrating them into the community. It also seeks to raise women’s awareness of their rights and duties and strengthen their self-confidence and capacities. To that end, it holds seminars and training courses and publishes guidance booklets and periodicals relevant to the objectives and mandate of the Centre.
Para 37) The Social Protection and Rehabilitation Centre is open to all women and children who are victims of violence. The Centre offers them support of many kinds in the form of integrated protection, reintegration and care, irrespective of the nationality of the victim, whether Qatari or non-Qatari.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 50) Despite promises in recent years by the government, AI noted that there was still no law criminalizing domestic violence. Victims instead have to make general complaints of physical or sexual abuse under the Penal Code, which does not provide sufficient protection for domestic violence.