Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Qatar
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2001 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Qatar, 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/498805d528.html [accessed 1 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
STATE OF QATAR
Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.
- Population:
– total: 589,000
– under-18s: 182,000 - Government armed forces:
– active: 12,330 - Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
- Voluntary recruitment age: 18
- Voting age (government elections): unknown
- Child soldiers: none indicated
- CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
- Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC; ILO 182
- There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.
GOVERNMENT
National Recruitment Legislation and Practice
Qatar has never had conscription law.1579 The government stated in 1992 that "Enlistment in the armed forces and the police in the State of Qatar is optional and voluntary. Accordingly, the question of conscientious objection to military service does not arise in view of the non-compulsory nature of military service in the State." The minimum age for joining the armed forces in Qatar is 18.1580 Qataris only form 30 per cent of the armed forces with the remainder coming from Pakistan, Somalia and other Arab countries.1581
DEVELOPMENTS
International Standards
At the second preparatory meeting for the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children in January 2001, the representative of Qatar said "The government supports international efforts aiming at the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols (including on the involvement of children in armed conflict) ... accordingly, we strongly condemn any illegal exploitation of children as something totally contrary to our tolerant and enlightened Islamic teachings. We encourage efforts by the international community to put an end to such outrageous practices."1582
1579 UN Commission on Human Rights, Report of the Secretary General Prepared Pursuant to Commission Resolution 1991/65 (and 3 Addendums). United Nations, Geneva, 1992.
1580 Ibid.
1581 State Department, Persian Gulf States-Area Handbook,Washington DC, Library of Congress, 1993.
1582 Qatar government statement at the second preparatory committee meeting of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children, 1/01.
