Political parties do not exist, and participation in international professional organizations critical of the government is prohibited, as are political demonstrations. Foreign nationals employed as domestic workers face sexual harassment and physical abuse. Although the authorities have investigated and punished several employers, most women apparently do not report abuse for fear of losing their residence permits. Some 25,000 Egyptian nationals live in Qatar, but hiring Egyptians was banned in 1996 when Egypt was accused by Qatari authorities of involvement in the failed coup that year. Some 500 Egyptians have been fired from government jobs since November 1997, when Egypt boycotted an economic conference attended by Israel in Doha.
Women face social and legal discrimination in divorce and inheritance matters.
A woman needs permission from a male relative to obtain a driver's license. A woman's right to refuse a marriage proposal is becoming widely accepted, whereas just five years ago it was not. Women enjoy greater opportunity in employment and education than they did under the former emir. The Wahabbi branch of Sunni Islam is the state religion. Non-Muslims may not worship publicly and face discrimination in employment.