JPTi, IPLSA Urge Qatar’s NHRC to Act on UN Findings in the Case of Tayeb Benabderrahmane

Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) and the International Pro Bono Legal Services Association (IPLSA) have today issued a joint press release announcing the formal submission to Her Excellency Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) of the State of Qatar, of an urgent complaint detailing grave human rights violations against Mr. Tayeb Benabderrahmane, a French-Algerian national and former General Advisor to the NHRC.

The submission, made on 14 August 2025, follows Opinion No. 28/2025 of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), which found Mr. Benabderrahmane’s detention to be arbitrary under Categories I, II, and III, in breach of Qatar’s obligations under international human rights law. The materials provided to the NHRC include the WGAD Opinion, a forensic report confirming forgery of judicial documents, and a legal expert report detailing violations of Qatari and international law.

The complaint calls on the NHRC to use its “A” status mandate to take necessary steps to secure the immediate annulment of all unlawful judicial decisions against Mr. Benabderrahmane, to launch an independent investigation based on the WGAD’s findings and the evidence submitted, to guarantee the safety of Mr. Benabderrahmane and his family from reprisals, including transnational repression, and to ensure full compensation and reparations in accordance with international standards.

JPTi and IPLSA have underscored that this case is a decisive test of the NHRC’s independence and effectiveness, and have called on the international community to monitor Qatar’s compliance with the WGAD’s recommendations ahead of the 11th Session of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of States Parties in December 2025.

This action builds upon JPTi’s earlier advocacy, detailed in its March 2025 briefing: Alleged Abuse of State Security Laws, Weaponization of Judiciary, and Imposition of Death Penalty in Qatar.