VZCZCXRO3148
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHDO #0360/01 0680602
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 090602Z MAR 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4450
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000360 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/RA, & DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL QA
SUBJECT: NATIONALITY LAW: CITIZENSHIP AND POLITICAL RIGHTS 
 
REF: A. 04 DOHA 2010 
 
     ¶B. 05 DOHA 723 
     ¶C. 05 DOHA 728 
     ¶D. 05 DOHA 845 
 
DOHA 00000360  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Amb. Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary. The recent Amiri decision to restore 
citizenship to approximately 6,000 people who were stripped 
of their Qatari nationality last year came as a welcome 
surprise to thousands of people whose fate has been uncertain 
for over a year. Not coincidentally, the decision comes on 
the heels of a newly enacted nationality law that speaks 
directly to this issue. Elation with the Amiri decision is 
mitigated by concerns with the new nationality law, which 
imposes limits on the political rights of those whose 
citizenship will be restored (REFTELS A & D). End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------ 
The Decision & Origin of the Problem 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (C) In early February, the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin 
Khalifa Al Thani, issued a decision to restore citizenship to 
approximately 6,000 people stripped of Qatari nationality 
last year. Post first reported on this issue fourteen months 
ago when the Qatari government initiated this policy of 
revoking or stripping nationality from members of the 
Al-Ghufran branch of the Al-Murra tribe. The Al-Murra is the 
largest tribe in Qatar with strong links to Saudi Arabia. 
Victims and critics of the policy maintained they were being 
unfairly targeted by the government because of their Saudi 
origin and because of the government's intent on limiting the 
political rights of some citizens. In response to an official 
query from Post, the GOQ asserted that it had been compelled 
to revoke the nationality of these individuals because they 
were holding dual nationality, a status not permissible under 
Qatari law (REFTELS B & C). It is alleged that approximately 
6,000 people lost their Qatari nationality through 
revocation. Those holding government employment lost their 
jobs, and their entire families lost government benefits 
(housing, education, employment, health, etc.) for which they 
were eligible as citizens of Qatar. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Political Implications of the New Nationality Law 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶3. (C) At the close of 2005, a new nationality came into 
effect. Among other things, Law No. 38 of 2005 addresses the 
issue of those whose nationality was revoked. As with the 
constitution, the new nationality law cannot be amended for 
ten years. Many view the new nationality law as the prelude 
to the Amiri decision inasmuch as it established the basis of 
citizenship, the parameters for restoring citizenship, and 
the political implications of being stripped of one's 
nationality. The new nationality law defines four categories 
of citizenship and the bases for withdrawing and restoring 
citizenship. With regard to the Al-Murra tribe, the more 
critical provision is found in Article 15, which affirms the 
right of suffrage for those with restored citizenship, yet 
denies their right to candidacy or nomination in any 
legislative body for a period of ten years from the date of 
restoration of their citizenship. 
 
----------------- 
Initial Reactions 
----------------- 
 
¶4. (C) In the weeks following the Amiri decision, Post 
contacted various individuals who had approached the Embassy 
last year when this matter first emerged. The individuals 
were keen to express their gratitude to the Amir, stating 
that the whole tribe welcomed the decision. While all 
expressed their happiness with the news and their relief that 
this matter could finally be put to rest, they were 
nevertheless concerned with how the procedures for restoring 
citizenship would be implemented and the impact the new 
nationality law would have on their political rights. 
 
--------------------- 
A Hard Lesson Learned 
--------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Contacts described the personal and professional 
hardships endured when they lost their jobs, housing, and 
various government allowances. Many were forced to live on 
the generosity of other families and were deeply ashamed of 
their inability to provide for their family. The suffering 
and indignity of entreating for assistance, being ignored and 
looked down upon were not only demeaning but also appear to 
 
DOHA 00000360  002 OF 002 
 
 
have, at least in the short run, crushed or weakened the 
determination and resistance that these individuals had 
displayed last year. Individuals were so grateful to have 
their citizenship restored that they were not willing to 
press the issue of limits on their political rights. When 
queried how they felt about not being able to run for 
political office for at least ten years, one individual 
stated, "We are just happy to get our jobs and allowances 
back and not be viewed with disgust or as outsiders who did 
something wrong." One legal analyst observed that the Al 
Murras would not fight for their political rights. "The 
members are not looking for trouble, and pushing for full 
political rights would be trouble. They are not willing or 
eager to repeat their experiences of the past year." 
 
------------------------------------- 
Part of a Larger Government Strategy? 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) Since news first emerged of the revocation of people's 
nationality last year, many have speculated that the policy 
represented an attempt by the Qatari government to restrict 
citizenship and limit the political rights of a broad section 
of its populace prior to holding first-ever parliamentary 
elections. urther, many maintained that by targeting the 
AlMurras, the largest tribe in Qatar at estimated foty 
thousand, the GOQ was pre-empting possible Sadi interference 
in Qatari politics in the electios, predicted for 2007. To 
support these assertios, some allude to the outcome of the 
Municipal Cuncil elections of 2003. Seven members of the 
Al-Murra tribe won seats on the Council out of a total of 29. 
While this represents only about twenty-five percent of the 
Council, some assert that it still raised apprehension on the 
part of the government that the tribe could potentially form 
a large voting bloc in the new parliament. An election law, 
which will expound on the legal issues surrounding elections 
and voter rights, is still pending. 
 
¶7. (C) Members of the Al Murra tribe have also disclosed that 
there is a new requirement compelling those whose nationality 
was revoked and who cannot demonstrate proof that they were 
born in Qatar, to claim Saudi Arabia as their place of birth 
on their official documents. They view this new requirement 
with suspicion, especially in light of the ten-year 
stipulations barring changes to the new nationality law and 
those with restored citizenship from running for office. 
According to some, the government can use the place of birth 
as a justification for further derogating the political 
rights of this group in ten years time when it has the 
ability to make amendments to the nationality law. 
 
¶8. (C) To date, very few people have had their citizenship 
restored. Also, it is still unknown whether or not the 
majority of those whose nationality was revoked and who had 
to obtain or declare another nationality will be able to 
recover their Qatari citizenship. Both the chairperson and 
secretary general of the National Human Rights Committee 
 
SIPDIS 
asserted, however, that approximately 200 people would not be 
able to restore their nationality due to security reasons. 
Post will continue to monitor this issue and report on 
developments. 
UNTERMEYER