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New Qatari law protects people with disabilities
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, issued Law No. 22 of 2025 concerning persons with disabilities, in a legislative step aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of this group and ensuring their full participation in society.
This law represents a milestone in the State of Qatar’s journey to protect and promote human rights, as it not only provides care, but also establishes the principle of empowerment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in various fields of life, considering them as active partners in development and shaping the future.
The law emphasizes the protection of the civil and political rights of persons with disabilities, including freedom of movement, opinion, expression, family formation, and participation in elections, associations, and institutions.
The law also prohibits restricting the freedom of persons with disabilities except to the extent required by their health condition, and it prohibits all forms of violence and exploitation against them.
The law includes deterrent provisions to protect the rights of people with disabilities, punishing anyone who violates its provisions with imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine not exceeding 100,000 Qatari riyals. In some cases, the penalty can reach 500,000 Qatari riyals, especially in cases of neglect, exploitation, or abuse.
This includes prohibiting scientific experiments or research on people with disabilities without their prior and informed consent.
The law requires the competent authorities to establish a unified national database for persons with disabilities, and to issue identification cards that facilitate their access to privileges and services, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 to promote social justice and consolidate the values of inclusion and empowerment.
The Qatar Foundation for Social Work welcomed the issuance of this law, stressing that it embodies the state’s commitment to ensuring a decent life and a high quality of life for people with disabilities, while citizens considered that this Emiri decision reflects the wise leadership’s keenness to preserve the dignity of all segments of society and guarantee their basic rights.
The new law replaces the previous law issued in 2004 concerning people with special needs, and it keeps pace with international standards in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, thus enhancing Qatar’s position as a country committed to applying the highest humanitarian and human rights standards in its national legislation.
