US embassy cable - 05DOHA881

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DOHA 000881 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ABU DHABI FOR MEPI OFFICE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KMPI, KDEM, XF, QA 
SUBJECT: DEMOCRATIC REFORM MEPI STRATEGY FOR QATAR 
 
1. Post has developed a three-pronged approach to advance 
the GOQ's democratic reform agenda. Our planning revolves 
around Qatar's first national legislative elections, 
expected to take place in 2006. Post sees the following as 
primary objectives of the MEPI partnership: promoting open 
political competition; developing civic awareness; and 
furthering the rule of law. 
 
2. Qatar has proceeded at a steady if not rapid pace toward 
building democratic institutions since the current Emir, 
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, took power in 1996. At 
that time, the establishment of democratic governance was 
among his top national objectives.  Since then, Qatar has 
held two municipal elections with full women's 
participation, and has promulgated a new constitution that 
establishes a two-thirds elected legislative body. These 
steps, in the Qatari view, place Qatar in the vanguard of 
Arab political reform. It is important for MEPI to bolster 
this reform effort as much as possible, respecting Qatar's 
vision and being careful not to dominate the reform 
discourse. Thus, our strategy is based on mirroring Qatari 
"milestones" wherever possible, filling in with U.S. 
technical and programmatic assistance to strengthen the 
reform foundation. 
 
3. Open Political Competition. 
 
Desired Outcomes: Increased government responsiveness to 
citizens. Development of an elections law. Increased level 
of awareness about voter rights and responsibilities. 
Candidates trained to promoting issues tied to constituents' 
interests. Qatar has technical expertise to undertake a 
successful election. 
 
2005 Baseline: The appointed Advisory Council holds its 
final session in June. The new constitution comes into force 
in June. Elections forecast for first quarter 2006. No 
elections law. GOQ drafting regulations on who is a citizen 
and eligibility for voting. MEPI has completed campaign 
training session for Gulf women. Qatari election official 
undertook study tour of U.S. during presidential election. 
Elections Committee prepares and begin various training 
programs. 
 
Milestones: 
- GOQ agrees to work with IRI on election issues and 
authorizes its presence in Doha. 
- Central Municipal Council (CMC) consolidates elections 
"lessons learned" for use in legislative election planning. 
- Qatar adopts a transparent elections law. 
- Qataris with differing political views and women announce 
their candidacies for the National Assembly. 
 
Tactics: 
- Post suggests NGOs for organizing training to the 
Elections Committee; Elections Committee to select and 
engage a contractor on its own. (No cost) 
 
- Post and MEPI request GOQ to make a decision on working 
with IRI. If IRI is not acceptable, MEPI proposes an 
alternative.  (No cost) 
 
- IRI performs constituent survey for CMC. (Already 
budgeted) 
 
- Two members of National Assembly participate in study 
mission to the U.S. (Already budgeted) 
 
- Experts on elections law visit Qatar to discuss 
assistance. ($30,000) 
 
- MEPI sponsors skills-building training seminar for NGOs. 
($30,000) 
 
- NGO directors attend skills- building workshop designed by 
the Embassy. ($1,000) 
 
- "Building Effective Organizations" workshops by IRI. 
(budgeted) 
 
- Workshops for NGOs in engaging citizens and government 
(One trainer, one translator, three days - $15,000) 
 
- Study Mission to the U.S. for members of the Central 
Municipal Council. (Budgeted) 
 
-Campaign management training in cooperation with the 
Permanent Elections Committee. (Budgeted) 
 
4. Civic Education. Educated citizens are crucial to the 
functioning of a democracy. If a trajectory of programs in 
civic education is pursued over three to four years, a 
foundation for democratic reform will be laid. After four 
years, the educational institutions and NGOs should be able 
to continue with these programs on their own. If the 
training programs for journalists, NGOs, and teachers are 
implemented before the next elections, it may be possible to 
see a direct impact on citizen participation and coverage of 
the elections. 
 
Outcome: Active participation of citizens in democratic 
processes: running for public office, voting in elections, 
serving on volunteer or elected bodies, abiding by local 
laws, respect and tolerance for others. 
 
Baseline: No civic education in schools. Poor turnout for 
last municipal election. Few independent NGOs. Few articles 
in local media regarding citizen responsibility and 
participation in democratic system. 
 
Milestones: 
- Several candidates running for each position in next 
election 
- More than 50% elector turnout in National Assembly 
elections 
- Constituent-focused articles on Municipal Council appear 
in press 
- Newspapers cover activities and effectiveness of local 
NGOs 
- Schools adopt some auxiliary teaching materials on civic 
education 
- Establishment of student structures (government, clubs) at 
Qatar University 
 
Tactics and costs: 
- Bring trainers from Center for Civic Education in Los 
Angeles, or a similar institution, to train teachers and 
public school administrators in incorporating civic 
education into public school curriculum. (two one-week 
workshops with two trainers, translator, materials, etc., 
$60,000) 
 
- Send teachers and administrators to regional civic 
education forums (10 teachers to one regional forum for 4 
days - $20,000) 
 
- Provide examples of civic education materials (materials 
package for 500 teachers - $50,000) 
 
- Send teachers and administrators to the U.S. to observe 
civic education in action (five teachers for three week 
program - $50,000) 
 
- Workshops for journalists on role of media in covering 
elections, and education public regarding laws and rights 
(one workshop, three days, one trainer, one translator - 
$15,000) 
 
- Training for university teachers in civic education 
(Workshop for three days, two trainers - $30,000) 
 
- Seminar on leadership and community participation at Qatar 
University ($15,000) 
 
- Consultant to work with Ministry or Supreme council for 
Education on civic education (one consultant, for one month 
- $30,000) 
 
5. Promoting the rule of law. Broadening and deepening 
Qatar's democratic reforms and legal institutions will 
reinforce a stable and vibrant economic and regional 
partnership. Greater respect for democratic values, human 
rights, the rule of law will facilitate progress toward 
participatory democracy. 
 
Desired Outcome: An acceptance and culture of rule of law 
and good governance; increasingly free and independent 
judiciaries; greater transparency and accountability of 
legal and regulatory systems; and establishment of programs 
aimed at combating corruption, improving judicial processes, 
and promoting respect for human rights. 
2005 Baseline: Qatar in danger of being downgraded to Tier 3 
on the TIP Watch List; continued use of underage boys as 
camel jockeys; not all rights of expatriate laborers 
guaranteed-no right to strike or form labor unions; domestic 
workers not afforded the same rights as other workers and 
not included under the 2004 labor law; continued corruption 
in government procurement regime; Qatar acknowledges 
deficiencies in legal system but needs tools, expertise, 
assistance for new merged court system; judges need training 
in other areas (commercial, international, etc.) as 
education was based on Sharia; new faculty of law needs 
advice on curriculum; not enough judges to deal with growing 
number of cases; no effective arbitration system (doesn't 
meet international standards); Qatar in process of founding 
law bar association. 
 
Milestones: 
- Increased participation of lawyers and judges in workshops 
on rule of law (CLDP, ISDLS) 
- Prominent Qatari leaders participate in SMU Rule of Law 
Forum 
- MOI officials participate in USDOJ anti-TIP program 
- Lawyers and human rights advocate go to the U.S. on 
International Visitor Program 
- Qatar enacts child camel jockey law banning the use of 
children as camel jockeys 
- GOQ establishes camel jockey shelter 
- Qatar amends its labor law granting expatriate laborers 
the right to strike and join labor unions and extending 
coverage to domestic workers 
 
Tactics: 
- Provide U.S. training to Qatari public defenders, 
prosecutors, and judges on legal reform to include areas 
such as transparency, procurement, customs, intellectual 
property laws and regulations, trade policy regulatory 
procedures and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms 
(Three one-week workshops, $90,000) 
 
- Bring USDOJ officials to provide technical assistance to 
MOI officials regarding anti-TIP ($195,000; post will seek 
cost-sharing) 
 
- Transparency: Workshop for public sector audience 
($15,000) 
 
- Encourage Qatar to adopt laws and practices to combat 
trafficking in persons and promote labor rights, thereby 
strengthening respect and adherence to human rights (no 
cost) 
 
6. Resources: Total cost per year for these programs is 
$626,000. An additional MEPI Locally Employed Staff will 
also be needed to administer the programs. 
 
MCGEHEE