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Human Rights Organizations Condemn the Sentencing of Bahá'í Rami Rouhani to Prison in Qatar
The "World Bahá'í Community" and "Human Rights Watch" announced today that a court in Doha sentenced Rami Rouhani (71), the head of the "Central Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís" in Qatar, to five years in prison on August 13, 2025, based on his exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and religion. This represents a serious violation of human rights, which the Qatari authorities must immediately annul and release him.
Qatari authorities accused Rouhani under Article 259 of the Penal Code of promoting doctrines or ideas that cast doubt on Islamic principles or teachings, as well as violating information technology laws under Article 8 of the Cybercrime Law, and publishing materials that promote subversive principles under Article 47(b) of the Press Law, based on court documents reviewed by the organizations.
Sabba Haddad, representing the World Bahá'í Community in Geneva, stated: "The prison sentence based on false charges solely rooted in his religious identity and activities constitutes a serious attack on the right to freedom of religion or belief. This attack on Rami Rouhani is aimed at all Bahá'ís in Qatar and threatens the principle of freedom of conscience."
The Bahá'í faith believes that all religions are from God and emphasizes equality and dignity. However, its followers are frequently subjected to persecution and discrimination in the region, especially in Iran.
Court documents indicate that the charges were based on posts on "X" and Instagram that expressed Bahá'í values such as justice, gender equality, respect for parents, and community service. Human rights organizations have rejected these charges as legitimate exercises of religious and human principles.
Qatar’s authorities accused Rouhani of violating public order and religious and social values by promoting Bahá'í principles on social media platforms. Since his arrest on April 28, 2025, he has been held in pretrial detention, with the court refusing his lawyer access to evidence or to defend his case during initial hearings, and his legal rights have been restricted.
In addition, Rouhani was accused of collecting donations and transferring money without a license, which is considered part of his religious activities—an act protected under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Reports indicate that Qatar’s record of persecuting Bahá'ís is extensive, including government policies of deporting individuals, obstructing efforts by individuals and communities to rebuild religious cemeteries, and refusing to recognize marriage certificates issued by Bahá'í institutions.
UN human rights experts have expressed deep concern, calling on Qatar to respect the right to religious freedom and to cease violations against religious minorities, especially amid ongoing arbitrary detention and systematic targeting of Bahá'ís.
Michael Page, Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, stated: "The arbitrary five-year imprisonment of Rami Rouhani, based on political and religious charges, is a severe violation of human rights. Qatari authorities must free him immediately and review their discriminatory policies against Bahá'ís."
