07 July 2010

Qatar: UK citizen held without charge despite court order for his release

Alkarama calls for the release of Mohamed Farouk Al-Mahdi, a UK citizen held without charge or trial by the Doha's Public Prosecution since 15 October 2009. Mohamed Al-Mahdi is a former employee at a bank in Doha.

Alkarama is currently preparing his case for submission to the United National Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Following his arrest in October 2009, Mohamed Al-Mahdi's family assets were frozen, leaving his wife and children in serious financial difficulties. "Our baby was born only a few weeks before Mohamed's arrest, he has not seen his father for more than nine months. Since then all our assets have been frozen," Mohamed's wife says, "Now I work full-time to provide for my children."

Article 36 of the Qatari Constitution clearly states "Personal freedom is assured. No one shall be arrested or jailed or checked or confined or have his or her movements restricted, unless according to the provisions of the law." On 31 May 2010, the Appeals Court of Doha ordered his release, however Mohamed Al-Mahdi remains in custody at Asima Police Station in Doha.

The Qatari authorities are thus acting in direct violation of the country's domestic laws as well as international human rights law, leaving Mohamed Al-Mahdi helpless, as he has already exhausted every possible legal procedure to challenge the lawfulness of his detention. For nearly 10 months in custody, he has never been charged and remains unlawfully detained despite a court decision ordering his release.

Qatar - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

No

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 11.01.2000
Optional Protocol: No
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): Yes
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

State report: Due on 23.11.2016 (3rd)
Last concluding observations: 25.01.2013

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

No

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 05.2014 (2nd cycle)
Next review: -

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) – Status A

Last review: 10.2010
Next review: 11.2015