US embassy cable - 05DOHA845

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000845 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/ARPI FOR STHORNE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, PINR, QA 
SUBJECT: QATAR: UPDATE ON NATIONALITY ISSUE 
 
REF: A. 04 DOHA 2010 
 
     B. DOHA 723 
     C. DOHA 728 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (A) and (B) 
 
1. (C) Summary. Over the past several months, post has 
received numerous reports from Qatari nationals that the 
government has revoked their nationality (reftel A). 
According to various sources, the group most affected by 
these revocations is the Al-Ghufran branch of the Al-Murra 
tribe. This tribe has strong links to Saudi Arabia and the 
members are of Saudi origin.  The 1996 failed coup attempt 
against the current Emir was broadly supported by the 
Al-Ghufran branch.  The Government of Qatar claims that it 
had been compelled to revoke the nationality of these 
Qataris because they are dual nationals who have refused to 
comply with a long-standing requirement to surrender one of 
their two nationalities. Post has formally expressed 
concern about this practice and has requested a fuller 
explanation of this policy. End Summary. 
 
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The Practice 
------------- 
 
2. (C) Under this practice, heads of families are receiving 
letters from the MOI informing them that their nationality 
has been revoked.  These individuals must then sign a 
document, agreeing to give up all rights to Qatari 
nationality and citizenship.  Upon signing, these 
individuals must either leave the country if they have a 
second nationality or find a Qatari sponsor in order to 
remain in Qatar.  Some of those who have refused to sign 
the document relinquishing their nationality have been 
imprisoned. 
 
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Nationality Law 
---------------- 
 
3. (C) The Nationality Law of 1961 and subsequent 
amendments outline the criteria for nationality.  According 
to the 1963 amendment of the Law of 1961, "original Qataris 
are those who were residing in Qatar before 1930 and 
maintained their normal living under their Qatar 
naturalization" until 1963.   Government officials claim 
those losing their nationality  are dual nationals, a 
status not permissible under Qatari law.  Qatari law does 
not appear to prohibit dual nationality but does state that 
"Qatari nationality can be withdrawn from any of its 
holders" if the individual has "acquired another 
nationality."  According to numerous sources, thousands of 
Qataris possessing dual nationality with the full knowledge 
of the government of Qatar have not been ordered to drop 
their non-Qatari nationality. Sources further claim that 
not all the individuals whose nationality the government 
has revoked had dual nationality. 
 
4. (C) The Nationality Law of 1961 also states that minors 
have the right to choose their original nationality upon 
their 21st birthday.  The children of parents whose 
nationality is withdrawn also lose their Qatari 
nationality.  The children have no ability to keep their 
Qatari nationality, an apparent right under the current 
nationality law. 
 
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The Outcome 
------------- 
 
5. (C) It is alleged that approximately 6,000 to 10,000 
people have lost Qatari nationality through revocation. 
Those holding government employment have lost jobs, and 
their entire families lose government benefits (housing, 
education, employment, health, etc.) for which they were 
eligible as citizens of Qatar.   Many whose nationality has 
been revoked are residing in Qatar as stateless people 
("bidouns") who cannot travel out of the country. 
 
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Effect on Americans 
------------------- 
 
6. (C) Individuals possessing Qatari and American 
nationalities have also been affected by this practice.  A 
Qatari-American man recently lost his Qatari nationality. 
His children, who hold dual Qatari-American citizenship, 
also lost their Qatari nationality as a result. Two 
U.S.-born daughters of a former police officer have also 
had their Qatari nationality revoked.  Their father came to 
the Embassy to report that he gave up his Saudi nationality 
in 1996; yet, Qatari officials proceeded to revoke the 
nationality of their deceased grandfather, which 
automatically resulted in their whole family's losing 
Qatari nationality. 
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Possible Motive 
--------------- 
 
7. (C) Some speculate that the apparent campaign of 
revocation is happening now as part of the government's 
preparation for upcoming elections and concerns about Saudi 
interference in Qatari politics. The Al-Murra is the 
largest tribe in Qatar and it is alleged that there is some 
apprehension that the tribe will form a large voting bloc 
in the new parliament. (Note: Some estimates put the 
Al-Murra tribe number at forty thousand. End Note.) 
Further, given the Saudi influence and links to this tribe, 
there is concern Saudi Arabia will use its influence with 
the Al-Murra tribe to interfere in Qatar's internal affairs 
and politics. 
 
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Regional Implications 
--------------------- 
 
8. (C) The governments of neighboring Gulf countries are 
said to be concerned that these revocations will impact 
domestic and tribal politics in their respective 
countries.  The Al-Murra tribe has branches in Bahrain, 
Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.  Sources speculate 
that should Qatar continue with this policy, there may be 
repercussions affecting regional stability.  Sources also 
allege that Kuwait has offered to mediate between Saudi 
Arabia and Qatar regarding this issue, as tensions are said 
to be high between the two regarding Qatar's treatment of 
tribe members. 
 
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Government's Position 
--------------------- 
 
9. (S) Senior government officials have reported that the 
current campaign of withdrawing nationality comes after 
several years of pressing dual nationals to choose which 
nationality they wish to retain.  Many of these dual 
nationals are members of the Al-Murra tribe. Those still 
holding dual nationality are now being identified and their 
nationality withdrawn.  Government officials further note 
that several thousands have lost their nationality, but 
that approximately 2,000 have subsequently had their 
citizenship restored. 
 
10. (S) On May 1, Mohamed Al-Merri met with Poloff to 
report that Dr. Jabor Al-Merri, former managing director of 
Qatar Petroleum and prominent member of the Al-Murra tribe, 
had met with the Emir regarding this issue.  According to 
Mr. Al-Merri, the Emir was displeased that the Al-Murra had 
taken this issue to the international media and stated that 
he would not be pressured into changing the policy.  Post 
has submitted a diplomatic note expressing USG concerns 
about the practice of withdrawing nationality and seeking 
an explanation from the Qatari government (reftels B & C). 
UNTERMEYER