Maat Foundation organized a side event on human rights in Qatar on the sidelines of the 49th session of the Human Rights Council.

In his opening remarks, international human rights expert Ayman Aqeel explained that the Qatari authorities continue to impose further restrictions on human rights conditions through arbitrary practices against numerous Qatari and foreign citizens, practices that are inconsistent with international laws and standards.

Aqeel pointed to Qatar's position on international human rights agreements. Despite its accession to a number of these agreements, the most recent of which was the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it expressed reservations regarding the two aforementioned covenants.

Aqeel also mentioned Qatar's interference in the judiciary and the right to freedom of movement, noting that, for example, Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Sheikh Saud bin Khalifa Al Thani, Dr. Najib Al Nuaimi, Abdullah Al Mohannadi, and Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Thani are still banned from travel.

He also pointed to violations of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly, and association, as well as the continued use of torture in Qatari prisons.

Finally, Aqil recommended the establishment of an independent national mechanism to monitor cases of arbitrary arrest and detention.