Persecution of Baha’is in Qatar: Authorities Order Four to Leave the Country

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The Qatari government has ordered at least four members of the Baha’i community to leave the country without due process, according to Human Rights Watch, which cited information from informed sources. The individuals, who have lived in Qatar for decades, face deportation despite legal protections for religious freedom, raising concerns about violations of international human rights law.

Human Rights Watch reported that the deportations began in March 2026, with at least four Baha’i community leaders and members receiving orders to leave without explanation or legal recourse. The organization stated that the actions violate the right to family life and constitute systemic discrimination against the Baha’i faith, which is not recognized in Qatar.

The affected individuals include a Baha’i couple, a long-term resident, and a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is in Qatar. One couple, who have two children in Qatari schools, was given until June 2026 to depart, with their passports confiscated until they provide flight reservations. A 43-year-old man, who has lived in Qatar his entire life, was ordered to leave by April 21, despite holding valid residency until 2028. A 55-year-old man, Moin Yeganeh, was detained for a week and later given a June 16 deadline to leave.

“Qatari authorities have sought external support and sympathy as the target of Iranian attacks while continuing their repression in Qatar,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Qatar’s deportations of Baha’is will uproot families and tear them apart.”

The Baha’i faith, which emphasizes the unity of all religions, faces persecution in several Middle Eastern countries. In Qatar, Baha’is are excluded from official religious recognition, and their community has been targeted in recent years. Human Rights Watch noted a “significant rise in persecution” since the 2023 conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, though the connection remains unclear.

A Qatari official reportedly told a Baha’i leader in 2025 that deportation orders could be avoided if he converted to Sunni Islam, according to Human Rights Watch. In April 2025, Remy Rowhani, chair of the National Spiritual Assembly, was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “disrupting public order.” His conviction was later overturned in September 2025 after international pressure, including from the United Nations and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms.

Qatar’s Constitution guarantees freedom of worship in Article 50, but the country’s laws do not recognize the Baha’i faith. The United Nations has repeatedly criticized Qatar for discriminatory practices against Baha’is, with experts in May 2026 urging the government to reverse the deportations. “The potential erasure of the Baha’i religious community from Qatar is a grave concern,” the experts stated.

The deportations also raise risks for individuals with Iranian nationality, as returning them to Iran could violate the principle of nonrefoulement, which prohibits sending people to places where they face serious harm. Human Rights Watch called on Qatar to cancel the orders for all four individuals and ensure their right to remain.

The cases highlight a pattern of repression against the Baha’i community in Qatar. In January 2025, a Baha’i leader received a deportation order, and in 2023, the government reportedly restricted the community’s ability to hold public gatherings. Human Rights Watch cited three sources with knowledge of the recent cases, though the Qatari government has not publicly commented on the allegations.

International law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, mandates protection of religious freedom without coercion or discrimination. Qatar’s actions, according to the organization, contravene these obligations.

The Baha’i community in Qatar, estimated to number fewer than 1,000 people, has faced systemic barriers for years. Members are often denied employment, housing, and access to public services. The recent deportations threaten to further isolate the community, which has no formal legal status in the country.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that the deportations “violate both Qatar’s own laws and international law.” The organization urged the Qatari government to halt the orders and allow affected individuals to challenge them through legal channels.

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What legal protections exist for the Baha’i community in Qatar?

Qatar’s Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but the Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legal religion. This lack of recognition means Baha’is cannot establish formal religious institutions or practice openly. The government has historically restricted their activities, including banning public gatherings and limiting access to civic institutions.

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How have international bodies responded to Qatar’s actions?

The United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Baha’is in Qatar. In May 2026, UN experts called on the government to reverse the deportations, citing risks of “erasing the Baha’i community.” The organization also highlighted the potential violation of nonrefoulement for individuals with Iranian ties.

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What are the broader implications for religious freedom in the region?

The cases reflect a broader pattern of religious repression in the Middle East, where minority faiths often face discrimination. In Iran, Baha’is are subjected to the crime against humanity of persecution, while in Egypt and Yemen, they experience systemic barriers. Qatar’s actions align with this trend, raising questions about the region’s commitment to religious pluralism.

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The Qatari government has not issued a public response to the allegations. Human Rights Watch continues to monitor the situation, urging authorities to address the rights of Baha’i residents. The organization emphasized that the deportations “represent a serious escalation in the persecution of a vulnerable religious minority.”

For those affected, the consequences are immediate. The