human rights defender
Dr. Hazzaa Al-Marri
Actions and Campaigns
Dr. Hazzaa Al-Marri
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
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.
Attachments
Documented by
- Country(ies) of nationality
- HRD's Gender
- Man
- Type of HRD
- Lawyer
- HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
- HRD's Picture
- 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.
- Country or area of detention
- Region of detention
- Asia: Western Asia
- Geolocation of detention
Latitude: 25.292881262747834
Longitude: 51.17431640625001
- Geolocation of detention
- Detained since
- Aug 10, 2021
- Current Status
- In prison (sentenced)
- Charge(s)
- Creating disturbances
- Spreading fake news
- Sentence
Life sentence (25 years)
- 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.
- 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.
- Protection actions and campaigns
- Documented by
- Consent status
- Consent to register, store and publish the information
Supporting files
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Date added
5 relationships, 4 entities