DEMOCRATIC REFORM MEPI STRATEGY FOR QATAR

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