DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday cleared a draft law which, once enforced, would punish those found insulting the Qatari flag and those of other GCC and friendly countries. The draft also seeks to declare quackery, whereby people claim to have spiritual and healing powers, a serious offence with jail terms and fines.
Collecting donations in an unauthorised way is also being made a serious offence proposed to be punished with a year in jail and a fine of up to QR500,000 or either.
The draft law seeks to amend some provisions of the criminal law No. 11 of 2004 after examining recommendations of the Advisory Council on the draft law. The draft was discussed by the council earlier this month and approved unanimously.
The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired the Cabinet’s meeting, QNA reported.
The amendment stipulates that it would be a punishable offence to publicly insult Qatar’s flag and those of non-hostile countries, international organisation or institutions, other GCC states and other regional organisations or institutions, whether by taking it down, damaging it or through any other action that expresses hatred and contempt.
According to the amendment, it’s a punishable offence for a public servant to use their power to block implementation of a ruling or order issued by a court or the attorney-general 30 days after the date of being officially notified about implementation, as long as the execution of the ruling or order is part of the public servant’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, the amendment stipulates that collecting donations personally or via individuals, newspapers, companies or any other means in a non-authorised capacity is a punishable offence.
The practice of quackery, whether for free or for a fee, is also a punishable offence. Doing, saying or using means to deceive people into believing that the person practising quackery is capable of witchcraft, knowing the unseen, achieving a need or desire, preventing damage or inflicting harm are all examples of quackery. The same punishment will apply to a mediator and any person who prepares, opens or runs a place to practise quackery or promote or cover it.
The Cabinet also approved a draft law on the regulation of works within the scope of streets and referred it to the council. It touches on provisions pertaining to the prohibition of carrying out excavation or extending service lines or repairing them unless a permit is obtained from the competent department, except for emergency cases.
It also explains procedures of applying for a licence, conditions of granting it and obligations of the licensee. The relevant department at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has the power to stop or cancel the licence according to the requirements of public interest, provided the decision is substantiated. If obligations of the licensee are not met, Ashghal has the right to fix the road and restore it at the licensee’s expense.
The Cabinet ratified its decision on the formation of a tenders committee at the Ministry of Justice. The Cabinet also ratified its decision on the amendment of some provisions of Order No. 17 of 1998 on the establishment of the standing committee for emergency. According to the amendment, a representative shall be added to the committee from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Transport, National Command Center, the General Department of Coast and Border Security, and the Ministry of Interior’s Public Relations Department.
The Cabinet reviewed a draft law on the amendment of some provisions of Law No. 24 of 2008 on supporting and regulating scientific research.
It also discussed a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs on reviewing a draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce on setting requirements for the licensing of recreational facilities, and a draft decision of the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning on technical requirements for children’s playgrounds at parks.
The Peninsula
