Wed Nov 13 05:36:56 UTC 2024: ## Qatar Praised for Labour Reforms, but Urged to Go Further at UN Human Rights Review
**Geneva, November 13, 2024:** Qatar has been acknowledged by the UN Human Rights Council for significant improvements in labour laws, implemented ahead of the 2022 World Cup. However, the country faced calls for complete abolition of its employment system for migrant workers.
During Qatar’s review, the country highlighted its progress in implementing a minimum wage, allowing workers to change employers, and tackling forced labour and trafficking. Hend Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, expressed appreciation for the contribution of migrant workers, calling them “true partners.”
Despite the progress, several countries, including France, Sierra Leone, and the Netherlands, urged Qatar to continue implementing the labor laws and consider abolishing the kafala system entirely.
Beyond labor concerns, Qatar also faced calls to abolish the death penalty and decriminalize same-sex relations. Additionally, several countries raised concerns about women’s rights, urging the country to review laws related to divorce, child custody, inheritance, and the male guardianship system.
In response to the criticism regarding women’s rights, Qatar emphasized the growing number of women in diplomatic roles, with the figure rising from just three to 120 in recent years.
Qatar concluded its presentation by highlighting its commitment to sports as a platform for international cooperation, referencing the success of the 2022 World Cup. The country is expected to bid for the 2036 Olympics and is positioned to be a strong contender.
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