QATAR: UPDATE ON NATIONALITY ISSUE

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.

--------------
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has been revoked.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.

--------------
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"Qatari nationality can be withdrawn from any of its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.

--------------
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.

--------------
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.
--------------
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.

--------------
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.

--------------
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