By FAZEENA SALEEM
DOHA: The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has appreciated the steps being taken by Qatar to amend its sponsorship law but urged the Qatari leadership to disclose details of the proposed reforms and set a time frame for their implementation.
The human rights watchdog hoped that the reforms would start with some basic things like changes in the exit permit system.
“We hope Qatar would take the lead for reforms…. We are optimistic because of our working relationship. We hope ultimately the reform is going to be visible. Some basic reforms will lay the foundation for substantial reforms,” HRW’s Middle East Consultant Nicholas McGheehan told The Peninsula yesterday.
McGheehan is part of a three- member delegation from HRW which is on a four-day visit here to meet Qatari officials and discuss issues related to migrant workers. This is the third visit of an HRW delegation to Qatar.
McGheehan argued that a change in sponsorship and exit permit system would ultimately benefit Qatar although it cannot be done overnight. “We can’t say abolish Kafala (sponsorship) system overnight, it’s impossible. It’s a deeply rooted system. What we need is the state to take a step forward.”
He also called for setting a time frame for the proposed reforms. “We would like to see a time frame for what ever reforms are put in place. We understand the reform will be an incremental process. We want things to move step by step, start with the easy things, like the exit permit system, which is doable, practical. And there is no reason why it would impact the commercial community,” said McGheehan.
“What we always press is for a specific reform. We need to know how they (Qatar) are going to reform,” he added. He appreciated Qatar’s ‘openness’ for dialogue and said HRW expects the country to move forward in making positive changes in the Kafala system.
“If there is abuse (against migrant workers) there should be a simple, quick mechanism that allows a migrant worker to change the employer. That will protect the worker, and will oblige the employers to treat their workers (with fairness). If Qatar can host the World Cup, Qatar can protect workers’ rights,” he said.
Asked about appointment of international law firm DLA Piper by Qatar to investigate international media reports about exploitation of migrant workers in the country, McGheehan said: “Qatar is totally entitled to get an opinion to get it investigated, and they have chosen a reputed law firm. We also had a meeting with them. We are encouraged about that, but we can’t comment more until (we know) what they will say.”
The HWR delegation is expected to meet with Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi.
It has also scheduled meetings with officials at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, and National Human Rights Committee and embassies of various countries. “We believe that all these groups (officials) have a role to play in pushing for the reforms which are needed. We don’t have to agree, that’s not necessary, but we should have a positive dialogue,” said McGheehan.
The Peninsula
