human rights defender

Dr. Hazzaa Al-Marri

Actions and Campaigns

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Lawyer

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

Current Status

In prison (sentenced)

HRD's bio and work

Dr. Hazzaa Al-Marri is a prominent human rights lawyer in Qatar. In August 2021, Al-Marri was arrested after participating in protests regarding a new law governing Shura Council elections, which was seen as discriminatory toward the Al Murra tribe to which he belongs. Dr. Hazzaa bin Ali Al-Marri played a prominent role in leading these protests at their launch and calling for others to participate in them. He appeared in several recordings, in one of which he made an appeal to the Emir of Qatar, saying, “We will demand our rights and dignity in this country and from within the country, even if we are destined to die in prison.” Dr. Hazzaa used his Twitter account to publish his frank words and opinions on what is happening in Qatar.

Detained since

Aug 10, 2021

Charge(s)

  • Creating disturbances
  • Spreading fake news

Sentence

Life sentence (25 years)

Latitude: 25.292881262747834

Longitude: 51.17431640625001

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Western Asia

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Hazzaa Al-Marri was held in solitary confinement until at least the end of March 2022, during which time he was interrogated by the State Security Prosecution without his lawyers. His trial was in closed sessions, lacking minimum standards for fair and legal procedures. Al-Marri's lawyers were only allowed to peruse the case files and were not given copies to prepare their defense.

Recent case update / evolution

On 10 May 2022, the Second Circuit Criminal Court issued a life sentence against lawyer Dr. Hazzaa Al-Marri. On 31 October 2022, the Qatar Criminal Court of Appeal confirmed the life imprisonment sentence handed down against Al-Marri. Al-Marri brothers were charged with: resorting to threats and other illegal means to compel the Emir to perform work within his legal jurisdiction”, “spreading false and malicious rumors and news at home and abroad with the intent of harming national interests”, “promoting, broadcasting and disseminating, through information technology means, incorrect news with the intent of endangering the safety of the state and its public order”, “stirring up public opinion and compromising the state’s social order”, and “organising a public assembly without a license”. On 31 October 2022, the Qatar Criminal Court of Appeal ratified the life imprisonment sentences handed down to Al-Marris.

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