Qatar Inside and Out: A Close Look at the Gulf State's Politics, Human Rights, and Foreign Policy

Thank you for joining Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) for a panel discussion featuring:

Marti Flacks
Deputy Director & Head of North America Office,
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Andrea Prasow
Acting Washington Director,
Human Rights Watch

Kristian Ulrichsen
Fellow for the Middle East,
Baker Institute, Rice University

David Weinberg
Washington Director for International Affairs,
Anti-Defamation League

Moderated by:

Stephen McInerney
Executive Director,
Project on Middle East Democracy

Background

The tiny Gulf state of Qatar, the world’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, is the wealthiest country in the world per capita. A close strategic partner of the United States, Qatar is home to the largest U.S. military base in the region, Al Udeid Airbase, and among the world’s top purchasers of American weapons. Criticism of U.S. policy toward Qatar has largely focused on its foreign policy, with its internal politics and human rights record receiving far less scrutiny. This relative lack of attention is curious, given the well-documented human rights abuses in Qatar, especially toward migrant workers, and the autocratic nature of its political system, an absolute monarchy. Thank you for joining a special Human Rights Watch-POMED event that will examine these domestic issues in the context of Qatar’s regional role and why they matter to the United States.

Tuesday, September 10
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Project on Middle East Democracy
1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 617
Washington, DC 20036