Politics of Qatar

The political system of Qatar runs under an authoritarian semi-constitutional monarchy with the emir as head of state and chief executive, and the prime minister as the head of government. Under the Constitution of Qatar, the Consultative Assembly, which is appointed by the emir, has a limited ability to reject legislation and dismiss ministers. The first and last election for the Assembly was held in 2021; though the emir still appointed one third of its members, political parties were banned and all candidates had to run as independents. In 2024 future elections were abolished.
The current hereditary emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, runs the country in an autocratic manner and holds nearly all executive and legislative authority, as well as controlling the judiciary. He appoints the prime minister and cabinet. Political rights are severely limited in Qatar as per Freedom House.

Legal system

According to Qatar's constitution, Sharia is a main source of Qatari legislation. Sharia is believed to constitute a divine revelation conveyed by God to the Prophet Muhammad, the eminent figure in the establishment of Islam, in 570 AD. Consequently, Sharia embodies a religious framework characterized by its origins and regulations. This legal system, seemingly unidirectional, emanates from God to the individual. The Islamic Sharia is regarded as the primary foundation, necessitating the formulation of legislative and judicial frameworks grounded in Islamic legal principles to govern transactions within Qatari law. Sharia is applied to laws pertaining to family law, inheritance, and several criminal acts. In some cases in Sharia-based family courts, a female's testimony is worth half a man's and in some cases a female witness is not accepted at all. Codified family law was introduced in 2006. In practice, Qatar's legal system is a mixture of civil law and Islamic law.
No stonings have ever been carried out in Qatar and it has been repealed as a legal sentence. Apostasy is a crime punishable by the death penalty in Qatar. Blasphemy is punishable by up to seven years in prison and proselytizing can be punished by up to 10 years in prison. Homosexuality is a crime punishable by the death penalty for Muslims.
In 2014, Qatar launched a modesty campaign to remind tourists of the modest dress code. Female tourists are advised not to wear leggings, miniskirts, sleeveless dresses and short or tight clothing in public. Men are advised against wearing only shorts and singlets.
Commercial relationships are governed by Qatar's Civil Code.
Qatar's government has been criticized for arresting and threatening anyone who dissents. A report published by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on 13 September 2020 noted that Article 47 in the Constitution of Qatar stipulates that freedom of expression is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances set forth in law, but stated that Qatari authorities "continue to implement some laws and policies, despite violating the Qatari constitution and its international human rights obligations", and called on them to "accelerate reforms enabling individuals to peacefully exercise their right of expression and opinion as they wish and the right to freedom of publication, assembly, and association".

Alcohol

consumption is partially legal in Qatar, some five-star luxury hotels are allowed to sell alcohol to their non-Muslim customers. Muslims are not allowed to consume alcohol in Qatar and Muslims caught consuming alcohol are liable to flogging or deportation. Non-Muslim expatriates can obtain a permit to purchase alcohol for personal consumption. The Qatar Distribution Company is permitted to import alcohol and pork; it operates the one and only liquor store in the country, which also sells pork to holders of liquor licences. Qatari officials had also indicated a willingness to allow alcohol in "fan zones" at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Until recently, restaurants on The Pearl Island were allowed to serve alcoholic drinks. In December 2011, however, restaurants on The Pearl were told to stop selling alcohol. No explanation was given for the ban. Speculation about the reason includes the government's desire to project a more pious image in advance of the country's first election of a royal advisory body and rumours of a financial dispute between the government and the resort's developers. Despite the economic consequences of the ban, many believe that it has been a necessary measure in order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of fans at the World Cup. Qatar's World Cup chief executive of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Nasser Al Khater, stated that the purpose of the designated sobering-up areas was to ensure the fans' safety.

Workers

On 16 January 2020 Qatar announced that most migrant workers who previously required an exit permit to leave Qatar would no longer require one.
Cases of ill-treatment of immigrant labour have been observed. The Nepalese ambassador to Qatar, Maya Kumari Sharma, described the emirate as an "open jail".
Qatar does not have national occupational health standards or guidelines, and workplace injuries are the third highest cause of accidental deaths. In May 2012, Qatari officials declared their intention to allow the establishment of an independent trade union. Qatar also announced it will scrap its sponsor system for foreign labour, which requires that all foreign workers be sponsored by local employers, who in some cases hold workers' passports and can deny them permission to change jobs.
In August 2022, 60 migrant workers were arrested and deported for protesting against the non-payment by their employer, Al Bandary International Group, a major construction and hospitality firm. Some of the demonstrators were from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Egypt and the Philippines had not been paid for seven months. According to a report published by France 24, those protesters were detained for breaching public security laws and minority of protesters were deported by the order of court who failed to remain peaceful and breached Qatar's public security law. Qatar's labour ministry said it will pay Al Bandary workers and will take further action against the company which was already under investigation for failing to pay wages.

Executive branch

Qatar is ruled by the House of Thani as a semi-constitutional hereditary monarchy. The head of state and chief executive is the emir. There is a prime minister and a cabinet appointed by the emir. Under the Constitution, the partially-elected Consultative Assembly can block legislation with a simple majority vote, and can dismiss ministers with a two-thirds vote. Two-thirds of the members are popularly elected, and the remainder are appointed by the emir.
Politically, Qatar is evolving from a traditional society into a modern welfare state. Government departments have been established to meet the requirements of social and economic progress. The Basic Law of Qatar 1970 institutionalized local customs rooted in Qatar's conservative Islamic heritage, granting the Emir preeminent power. The Emir's role is influenced by continuing traditions of consultation, rule by consensus, and the citizen's right to appeal personally to the Emir. The Emir, while directly accountable to no one, cannot violate the Sharia and, in practice, must consider the opinions of leading notables and the religious establishment. Their position was institutionalized in the Advisory Council, an appointed body that assists the Emir in formulating policy.
In February 1972, the heir apparent and Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, deposed his cousin, Emir Ahmad, and assumed power. This move was supported by the key members of Al Thani and took place without violence or signs of political unrest,
On 27 June 1995, the heir apparent, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, deposed his father, Emir Khalifa, in another bloodless coup. Emir Hamad and his father reconciled in 1996. Increased freedom of the press followed, and the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television channel is widely regarded as an example of an uncensored source of news in Arab countries. However, the network has been met with negative responses by the governments of many Arab states. However in May 2022, Al Jazeera network won the award for the best human rights journalism of the year in the eighth annual Amnesty Media Awards. The network was also claimed to be non-biased network by The Week in November 2022.
On 25 June 2013, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became the Emir of Qatar after his father Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani handed over power in a televised speech.

Office	Name	Since
Emir	Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani	25 June 2013
Prime Minister	Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani	7 March 2023

Ministries

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar is responsible for overseeing and directing commercial and industrial activities in line with national development goals. Its mandate includes promoting business development to attract investments, supporting exports, regulating trade professions, registering commercial and investment establishments, issuing licenses, and overseeing market regulation in its jurisdiction.
The Ministry of Justice in Qatar oversees the country's judicial system, emphasizing the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. It has introduced the SAK online portal for efficient processing of e-services, prioritizing user privacy. The ministry provides a variety of services to individuals, businesses, investors, and government bodies.
The Ministry of Interior in Qatar is responsible for ensuring internal security, maintaining law and order, and safeguarding national interests. It actively promotes peace, organizes police forces, and takes measures to prevent crimes. The ministry also oversees nationality-related affairs, issues travel documents, and regulates corporate immigration matters, requiring companies to hold an Establishment Card. Additionally, it manages the entry and residence of expatriates while regulating official documents for expatriate employees.
The Ministry of Labour in Qatar is responsible for regulating employment matters, including the formulation and execution of public policies and systems for the workforce. It oversees recruitment policies, promotes Qatarization of jobs, and ensures the social and legal protection of migrant workers while enforcing the Labour Law.
The Ministry of Finance in Qatar oversees financial affairs, promotes economic growth, and manages policies related to taxation, budgeting, and public debt. It plays a crucial role in ensuring financial stability and sustainability. The ministry is responsible for the General Tax Authority and provides the Dhareeba online portal for company registration, annual audits, and handling tax-related matters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar manages the country's foreign relations and diplomacy, providing attestation services for both local documents for international use and foreign documents within Qatar. Fusion, affiliated with the ministry, offers full attestation services and official translation between English and Arabic for foreign documents.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar is dedicated to promoting and developing the country's education system. It oversees initiatives and policies related to school curriculums, teacher training, and educational programs. The ministry also regulates private schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, with Fusion providing assistance in obtaining necessary approvals such as the School's Education license. This includes managing curriculum approval, school premises inspection, and coordinating processes in preparation for the start of each new school year.
The Ministry of Public Health oversees the quality of services provided by public and private health service providers in Qatar. It manages public health programs, including disease prevention, occupational health, and national immunization. The ministry is responsible for formulating and monitoring national health strategies. Healthcare practitioners must be registered and licensed by The Department of Healthcare Professions. Setting up private medical facilities requires approval from MOPH and relevant licensing, a process Fusion can assist with, including setup, licensing, and renewals.
The Ministry of Municipality in Qatar is responsible for promoting and regulating sustainable development. It oversees initiatives related to urban planning, environmental conservation, and public health, playing a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future for the country. The ministry includes bodies such as the Qatar General Authority for Standardization and Metrology and the Engineering Committee, which regulates engineering licenses for companies and individuals. Fusion can assist international engineering consultancies in setting up in Qatar by facilitating the required licensing processes.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Qatar is tasked with the promotion and regulation of environmental policies and initiatives. The ministry is dedicated to fostering sustainability and mitigating carbon emissions within the country.
The Ministry of Transport in Qatar oversees and regulates the transportation sector. It provides special approvals for certain transport-related commercial activities and facilitates the process of obtaining approvals for temporary road regulation, machinery transport, and the establishment of various facilities.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar oversees and regulates the communication and information technology sectors. It works in conjunction with the Communications Regulatory Authority to manage approvals for importing specific equipment to the Qatari market. The ministry also grants special approvals for commercial activities related to communication and information technology.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth in Qatar promotes and regulates sports and youth-related activities, overseeing the Olympic movement and fostering community participation in sports. With a notable record of hosting major events, including the historic FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar has positioned itself as a leading host for international sports events such as the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix in October 2023, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup from January 12 to February 10, 2024, and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
The Ministry of Culture in Qatar acts as the regulatory authority for a variety of licenses, covering areas such as advertising, public relations, artistic production, cinema theaters, educational book imports, photography, film shooting, music education, concerts, and creative events. With a primary goal of promoting cultural diversity and the arts, the ministry plays a crucial role in overseeing diverse cultural activities in Qatar.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family offers services to Qatari nationals and families with the goal of promoting social welfare and development in Qatar.
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Qatar promotes and regulates Islamic affairs, overseeing initiatives in Islamic education, charity, and community development. It also encourages interfaith dialogue and cooperation among various religious communities in the country.