Committee against Torture

Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Qatar

Addendum

Information received from Qatar on follow-up to the concluding observations *

[Date received: 10 March 2014]

I.Introduction

1.The State of Qatar hereby submits the information requested by the Committee against Torture, with reference to the discussion of the second periodic report of Qatar with the Committee against Torture at its forty-ninth session, held from 29 October to 23 November 2012, and the Committee’s concluding observations in that regard, adopted on 19 November 2012 (CAT/C/QAT/CO/2). The Committee requested information in response to its recommendations pertaining to (a) ensuring or strengthening legal safeguards for persons detained, (b) conducting, prompt, impartial and effective investigations, (c) prosecuting suspects and sanctioning perpetrators of torture or ill-treatment, and (d) violence against women, as contained in paragraphs 10, 14 and 19 of the concluding observations.

II.Information on follow-up to implementation of the Committee’s recommendations contained in paragraphs 10, 14 and 19 (CAT/C/QAT/CO/2)

A.Ensuring or strengthening legal safeguards for detained persons

2.These safeguards, which members of the police force are required to respect, are set out in the relevant national legislation, as described below:

Registration of detention (pretrial detention) by the competent authority

3.The law entrusts the investigating authority with the registration of detention in a competent, independent and discreet manner. The investigating authority in Qatar is the Office of the Public Prosecutor, in accordance with article 1 of Act No. 10 of 2002.

Identification of cases in which detention is not permitted (pretrial detention)

4.The legislature has identified cases in which detention as an interim precautionary measure is not permitted, with a view to preventing the cases in which the investigating authority may intervene from expanding. These cases are dealt with under article 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides that: “If it appears, after the defendant has been questioned or in the event that he absconds, that there is sufficient evidence of his involvement in a serious or a lesser offence punishable by a minimum of 6 months’ imprisonment, a member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor may issue an order for the defendant to be held in pretrial detention.”

Determination of the duration of detention

5.The need to place a person in pretrial detention should be assessed in terms of the duration of the detention, given that this is a measure that constitutes a restriction of liberty. In other words, if the need no longer obtains then the detention must be brought to an end.

6.On this basis, article 117 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that: “A defendant may be placed in pretrial detention after questioning on the basis of a remand order issued by the Office of the Public Prosecutor, for a period of four days, renewable for a similar period.”

7.The pretrial detention period may be extended by eight further days in respect of offences that would be prejudicial to the national economy, as specified in articles 140–147 and 148–158 of the Criminal Code.

8.If required in the interest of the investigation, a defendant may be held in pretrial detention after the period indicated above expires. In such cases, the Office of the Public Prosecutor is required to refer the matter to the Court of First Instance, which may extend the detention period for up to 30 days, renewable for a similar period or periods, or release the defendant, with or without bail.

9.In all cases, a defendant may not be held in pretrial detention for longer than 6 months unless he has been referred to the Criminal Court prior to the end of this period. If criminal charges have been brought against him, he may not be held in pretrial detention for longer than 6 months unless a prior order is obtained from the competent criminal court extending the detention for a maximum period of 45 days, renewable for a similar period or periods. In the absence of such an order, the defendant must be released.

10.The pretrial detention period must not exceed half of the maximum penalty established for the offence in respect of which the defendant has been placed in pretrial detention. A defendant who has been held in pretrial detention has the right to contact his lawyer and to notify him of the charges against him.

Right of a defendant placed in pretrial detention to contact his lawyer and inform him of the charges against him

11.Article 113 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides as follows: “Any person who has been arrested or placed in pretrial detention shall be informed of the reasons for his arrest or detention and of the charges against him and shall have the right to contact a person of his choosing and to seek assistance from a lawyer.”

Right of a defendant to appeal against a pretrial detention order

12.Under article 157 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a defendant or his representative may appeal an order to place the defendant in pretrial detention.

Right of a defendant in pretrial detention to request a temporary release, with or without bail

13.Article 119 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that: “The Office of the Public Prosecutor may order the provisional release of a defendant who has been placed in pretrial detention either of its own accord or at the request of the defendant.” This provision ensures that personal freedom is protected from continued restriction and enables defendants to prepare their defence as fully as possible.

Right of a detainee to the prompt referral of investigation documents and a decision

14.Article 43 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that: “A law enforcement officer shall hear the statement of the defendant upon his arrest. If there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against him, he shall be brought within 24 hours to the competent public prosecution office, which shall question him within 24 hours of the time that he is brought before it and shall then order his release or place him in pretrial detention.”

Judicial oversight of conditions in detention and access to grievance procedures

15.Article 395 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that: “Members of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall have the right to enter places of detention situated within the area of their jurisdiction in order to ascertain that no one is being detained illegally. They may inspect and copy arrest and detention warrants and may contact any prisoner to hear any complaint that he may wish to express, and shall be given every assistance in obtaining the information that they require.”

Prompt, transparent and effective investigations

16.Article 36 of the Constitution provides that: “Personal freedom shall be guaranteed. No person may be arrested, detained or searched nor may his freedom of residence and movement be restricted except in accordance with the law.”

17.Article 37 of the Constitution provides that: “Privacy is inviolable. No one shall be subjected to any intrusion in his personal or family affairs, his home or correspondence or any other intrusion that would damage his honour or reputation except in accordance with the law and the procedures established by law.”

18.Articles 40 and 113 of the Code of Criminal Procedure guarantee the right of persons under arrest to contact a lawyer from the moment of their arrest, while article 65 guarantees the defendant’s lawyer the right to attend all investigation procedures. It provides that: “The defendant, his lawyer, the victim and the plaintiff in a civil rights case may attend all investigation procedures and a member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall inform them of the date and place where the investigation procedures will commence. A member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall conduct the investigation in their absence when he considers that to be necessary or in case of urgent need in order to ascertain the truth. As soon as such need or urgency has ended, he shall allow them to review the investigation.”

19.Article 101 provides that: “Except in cases of flagrante delicto and of urgent need arising from the fear of losing evidence, no member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor may question an accused person or have him confront other accused persons or witnesses unless that person’s lawyer has been invited to attend, if a lawyer has been appointed.”

20.Article 72 provides that: “The investigation shall be conducted in Arabic. A member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall hear the statements of parties or witnesses who do not speak Arabic through an interpreter, who shall take an oath that he will perform his duties honestly and faithfully. In cases where documents or papers are submitted in a language other than Arabic, a member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall designate a translator under oath as specified in the previous paragraph.”

21.Article 43 provides that: “A law enforcement officer shall hear the statement of the defendant upon his arrest. If there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against him, he shall be brought within 24 hours to the competent public prosecution office, which shall question him within 24 hours of the time that he is brought before it and shall then order his release or remand him in custody.”

22.Moreover, article 100 of the Code provides that: “When the defendant appears before the investigating authorities for the first time, a member of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall inform him that the Office of the Public Prosecutor is undertaking the investigation and shall verify his identity, register his personal data, inform him of the charges against him and record any statements that he might make in that respect.”

23.With regard to the right of an arrested person to contact his relatives, articles 40 and 113 of the Code of Criminal Procedure guarantee arrested persons the right to contact their family members.

24.Moreover, the Prisons Act No. 3 of 1995 ensures the right of prisoners to communicate with their families and friends and to receive visitors.

25.Under the current procedures in Qatar, an arrested person may not choose a treating physician should it be necessary to refer him to a physician. In such a case, the patient is transferred by the authorities to a public hospital, where the duty doctor performs the required examinations in accordance with his assessment of the patient’s condition. The patient has the right to object to the treating physician and request treatment by another physician, although he may not name a specific physician.

C.Prosecution of persons suspected of having committed acts of torture or ill-treatment and punishment of perpetrators

26.Article 159 of the Criminal Code provides that: “Any public servant who uses or orders the use of torture, force or threats against an accused person, a witness or an expert for the purpose of obtaining a confession to an offence, coercing the person into making a statement or providing information about an offence or covering up an offence shall be liable to a penalty of up to 5 years’ imprisonment. If, as the result of an act committed by a public official, the victim sustains an injury which causes permanent disability, the perpetrator shall be liable to a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. If the victim dies as a result of the act, the perpetrator faces a penalty of death or life imprisonment.”

27.The law ensures that victims can report all offences, including torture, by filing a complaint with the police station in the district where the incident occurred or in the victim’s home district. Law enforcement officers are required by law to receive the reports and complaints submitted to them and transmit them to the Office of the Public Prosecutor in accordance with article 31 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Act No. 23 of 2004). Moreover, the law ensures that victims can file communications directly with the Office of the Public Prosecutor and that the latter will investigate them and deal with them in accordance with the outcome of the investigations.

28.With regard to violations of the provisions of the Code as they relate to legal safeguards for detainees, the abuse of power and authority by members of the police force in places of detention (pretrial detention) in the Ministry of the Interior departments concerned is prohibited under article 72, paragraph 16 of the Military Service Code (Act No. 31 of 2006). Members of the police force who perpetrate such abuse are liable and face disciplinary action without prejudice to criminal and civil proceedings, as appropriate, in accordance with article 73.

29.In that legal framework:

One resident made a complaint to the Office of the Public Prosecutor on 17 March 2009, in which she accused a warrant officer and a lance corporal in the Search and Follow-Up Department of using force. The Office of the Public Prosecutor launched an investigation the same day, registered the complaint and referred the case to court. The defendants were given a suspended sentence of 2 months’ imprisonment with 500 riyals surety. The defendants appealed the decision; the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in form and substance and rejected it, supporting the decision against which the defendants had appealed;

Two Qatari citizens submitted a complaint to the Office of the Public Prosecutor on 13 January 2013 in which they accused officials in the Narcotics Department of searching their home unlawfully and of arresting them without a warrant from the Office of the Public Prosecutor. The Office of the Public Prosecutor launched investigation procedures and registered the complaint with the Capital Security Department on the day on which the complaint was submitted. During the course of the investigation, it emerged that the allegations contained in the communication were groundless. The Office of the Public Prosecutor had issued an arrest and search warrant for the complainants prior to their arrest. Moreover, both complainants had previously been charged in a similar case and sentenced to imprisonment. During the arrest in respect of which they submitted a complaint, they had made threats, on the basis of which they submitted their complaint. The Office of the Public Prosecutor ultimately filed the complaint;

A case was registered in the court records for 2012 under the title “Use of cruelty”, in which the prosecution brought the defendant before the court for the use of cruelty in his capacity as a public servant against the victim during the course of his work. After some research and investigation, the defendant was acquitted.

D.Violence against women

30.Since its inception, the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children has monitored cases of abuse and violence against children and women. The Foundation registers and records data on such cases in its database, taking the confidentiality of such information into account, and uses it to monitor patterns and forms of violence. In addition, it uses the information to target the services provided to this category, to help in its decision-making process and in the formulation of its policies and procedures and to conduct the necessary studies and research. Thus, the Foundation is able to play a restorative role, by providing counselling, shelter, treatment, rehabilitation and legal assistance in order to protect victims of abuse and violence, as well as a preventive role, by means of prevention, education and raising awareness of abuse and violence against women and children.

Mechanisms and procedures followed by the Foundation to protect against domestic violence

1.Counselling services

31.The Foundation provides the following main counselling services:

Social services, which consist of providing guidance and direction and communicating with the parties involved in the relationship, in addition to providing shelter for victims, if necessary, dealing with the problem, providing rehabilitation and following up on the case until full access to services is obtained;

Legal and security services, which consist of providing legal advice and assistance and following up with security and other agencies;

Educational services: the Foundation works to protect the fundamental rights of the child, including the right to education. It is committed to the realization of this right through the application of the Compulsory Education Act (Act No. 25 of 2001) as amended by Act No. 25 of 2009, the memorandum of understanding concluded between the Foundation and the Supreme Education Council on 25 April 2010 and the student behaviour modification policy adopted by the Board of Education, through:

Providing support and assistance to ensure that there are no absences among students for whom education is compulsory, namely, primary and secondary students or those under 18 years of age, whichever comes first;

Contributing to the positive modification of delinquent behaviour in students by receiving primary, secondary and high school students with behavioural problems or delinquent behaviours up to the age of majority (18 years) for males and at any stage for females;

Providing comprehensive protection for women and children who are victims of violence and abuse (violence in schools);

Providing lectures and presentations about the services offered by the Foundation and the most salient issues affecting children;

Mental health services, by referring cases to a Foundation psychiatrist, who conducts a clinical examination in abuse cases in order to determine the psychological effects of or the precursors to the abuse;

Psychiatric diagnosis by a psychiatrist and development of a treatment plan in coordination with psychologists, social workers and the family of the person concerned in an attempt to find a solution to the underlying causes of the problem;

Conducting cognitive behavioural support group psychotherapy sessions for the person concerned and family members, if necessary;

Providing pharmacological treatment, if necessary, to deal with psychological disorders resulting from abuse in a person who has been subjected to violence;

Providing psychological counselling through Foundation psychologists;

With regard to sexual assaults: understanding psychological factors, mental illnesses and personality disorders and how they relate to motivation to violence and abuse;

Treating personal and sexual aberrations and delinquent behaviour in school and referring cases involving addiction;

Cooperating with the psychiatric hospital by referring cases requiring treatment not available within the Foundation.

2.Shelter services and integrated care

32.The Dar al-Aman shelter was established on 1 September 2007 to provide shelter for women and children victims of abuse and violence, for a specific period of time until they no longer need it, to set them apart from the source of the violence and to ensure that they are safe and secure. The shelter provides all living, health and psychological rehabilitation services and deals with cases with the utmost respect for privacy and in absolute confidentiality.

Services provided by Dar al-Aman

33.Dar al-Aman provides the following services:

All living services including accommodation, food and water;

Aspects of health care, in cooperation with public health centres and hospitals and monitoring of pathological cases;

Psychological treatment and social rehabilitation services in order to rehabilitate and reintegrate victims into society;

Full social, legal and psychological counselling to victims in cooperation with the Foundation;

Victims are given broad scope to communicate with the world outside, for example through school or work.

3.Support and assistance services

34.The Foundation provides support and assistance services through various of its offices, which were established to help reach victims of abuse and violence. Those offices are:

The Foundation office in the accident and emergency department in Hamad General Hospital, established on 10 July 2007;

The Foundation office in the Capital Security Department, established on 19 July 2009;

Prosecution office for the family and juveniles, established in the Foundation in early March 2012 to follow up on the cases of victims of violence referred to it, with a view to facilitating the provision of comprehensive protection services;

The Foundation office in Al-Wakrah hospital, established in January 2013.

4.Reporting and complaint services (Helpline 919)

35.The reporting and complaint services:

Receive complaints and reports from target groups and anyone who is aware of violent incidents;

Receive reports of cases from police stations;

Receive victims of violence in need of shelter at Dar al-Aman;

Contact and communicate with the victim and the parties concerned;

Provide social, legal and psychological counselling.

Legal procedures followed by the Foundation to protect women against abuse and violence

36.The legal procedures aimed at strengthening protection, from a legal perspective, for target groups against violence, abuse and deviant practices and their impact on the family and society can be summarized as follows:

Legal procedures for women victims of violence received [by the Foundation] (mild or moderate violence);

Legal procedures for women victims of domestic violence.

37.Once the social worker has completed the procedures and referred the case to a legal specialist, an interview is conducted with the victim, the case is studied from a legal perspective and, in cooperation with the social worker, the problem is given the necessary legal qualification.

38.If the parties (abuser and victim) are prepared to cooperate, the following steps are taken:

(a)Legal counselling is provided to the victim and the parties to the relationship as a matter of course, in order to familiarize them with their rights and duties and the legal consequences of their situation;

(b) The necessary undertakings are made not to repeat the abuse and for the victim to be followed up by a social worker;

(c) If the abuse is repeated and the abuser does not abide by his undertakings, the victim is directed to a police station to submit a formal complaint. The victim has the option to do so or to refer the matter to the prosecutor’s office concerned;

(d) Legal assistance is provided to the victim by the appointment of a pro bono lawyer if the victim is in proven financial need (not in work or working for less than QR 10,000, or more if most of the salary is owed in debts);

(e) A pro bono lawyer is contacted and the circumstances of the case explained in order to establish whether the lawyer is prepared to take on the case; an official letter is sent in that connection;

(f) The case is followed up with the judicial authorities, the lawyer responsible for the case and the victim, in order to determine the circumstances of the case and the anticipated date of the court hearing;

(g) The case is followed up by means of telephone calls and through the organization of meetings and interviews with the victim, the parties to the relationship and the case social worker.

39.If the abuser does not cooperate, the following steps are taken:

(a) The abuser is contacted in person and informed of the consequences of his failure to cooperate; if he responds to the Foundation, the procedures described above are taken;

(b) If the abuser remains uncooperative, the victim is contacted and informed of their legal rights and the complaints and reporting procedures (in the event that no complaint has been made). Alternatively, the police station is contacted in order to verify the information and the complaint received by the Foundation and to request that the abuser is notified of the need to contact the Foundation (in the event that a formal complaint has been made). In addition, the security services are contacted in order to determine the circumstances and status of the complaint;

(c) Communication with the security agencies (Office of the Public Prosecutor, Family Prosecution Office, police stations throughout Qatar and other agencies) is ensured, with a view to determining the circumstances of the complaint and verifying and establishing the security procedures followed;

(d) Legal assistance is provided to victims by the appointment of a pro bono lawyer to represent them in court, if necessary, in accordance with the required conditions;

(e) Cases are prosecuted in cooperation with the competent national courts until a decision is handed down and judgements in the case are enforced;

(f) Communications, correspondence and legal reports are drafted and provided to the department and the authorities concerned;

(g) The case is followed up with the victim, the case social worker and the authorities concerned until the direct access of the victim to service is secured.

40.In the event that a woman is subjected to serious physical violence or sexual abuse (in the family), once the social worker has verified that serious violence or sexual assault has taken place the woman is referred to a legal specialist, who:

(a)Receives the victim, familiarizes himself with the circumstances of the situation and the abuser, verifies the complaint adequately and establishes whether the victim has filed a report at a police station or not;

(b) Advises the victim of the need to make a complaint to her local police station and of the need to refer her to a forensic physician in order to establish that violence has occurred, if she does not have a medical report;

(c) In the event that the victim does not make a complaint against the abuser in respect of a physical assault, she is free to do as she chooses and the case is not referred to the competent authority. The administration is notified of the situation and is required to obtain the necessary undertakings from the abuser that the abuse will not be repeated. The matter is then referred to a social worker;

(d)In the event that a woman is subjected to a sexual assault (harassment, rape) by coercion, deception or threat, the matter is referred to the prosecutor’s office concerned;

(e) A woman who is subjected to serious violence leading to temporary disability in accordance with article 308 of the national Criminal Code (assault leading to illness or inability to carry out personal functions for more than 20 days) is advised of the need to submit a complaint to the authorities concerned. If she waives her right to do so, the abuser is summoned and required to sign an undertaking not to perpetrate further abuse and advised that established procedures will be followed should he fail to cooperate;

(f) A woman who is subjected to serious violence leading to permanent disability (severance, separation, partial amputation, loss of function or loss of a limb, or the partial or total impairment of a sense) is referred directly to the competent prosecutor’s office;

(g) The substance of the complaint is followed up with the security agencies;

(h) Legal assistance is provided to victims of violence in financial need;

(i) The matter is followed up with the judicial authorities and the victim in order to ensure that service is provided.

41.In the event that a woman is subjected to mild physical violence (leading to temporary or permanent disability) or sexual assault and the abuser is from outside the family, the following steps are taken:

(a) The victim is received and the circumstances of the complaint and data pertaining to the abuser are determined and the substance of the complaint is verified;

(b) Legal advice is provided to the victim to ensure that she is aware of her rights and of the procedures necessary in order for her to obtain them and for the security agencies concerned to consider the complaint;

(c) In the event that a victim of violence submits a formal complaint to a security agency, communication between the victim and the agency is maintained in order to facilitate her access to her rights;

(d) In the event that a victim of mild violence or of an assault leading to temporary disability refrains from submitting a complaint, the abuser is summoned and makes the necessary undertakings. If he does not cooperate, the victim is advised of the need to submit a complaint to the authorities concerned;

(e) Victims in financial need are provided with legal assistance (by the appointment of a pro bono lawyer), as necessary;

(f) Judicial monitoring of pending hearings is ensured in cooperation with the victim and the lawyer in the case, if any, or with the judicial authorities.

5. Awareness-raising and preventive programmes

42.The principal objectives of the Foundation include raising social and legal awareness in the family and the community about the rights of target groups as integral to human rights, in an attempt to avoid or reduce violence. It endeavours to achieve these objectives through the organization of different activities and programmes in accordance with the continuing and occasional annual programme plan, the most prominent of which are set out below.

Education and awareness campaigns

Launch of the “You are precious” campaign

43.The Foundation organized the launch of the campaign on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November 2009, when the campaign was announced under the banner “Hand in hand to stop violence against women” displayed on 60 buses from the Karwah bus company that were deployed throughout Doha over a two-week period.

“End the silence” campaign

44.This campaign was implemented in three phases, as follows:

Phase 1: Organization of a march in Aspire Park on 17 April 2010 against sexual violence against children, in which a broad range of individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations and the media participated;

Phase 2: Organization of a marathon on Doha Corniche for women from various sectors (health, education (independent and foreign schools), civil society institutions, educational institutions affiliated to the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development) and target groups on 27 November 2010. A marathon is an effective form of sports therapy that can be used in the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of violence and abuse;

Phase 2 of the “End the silence” campaign of the psychosocial treatment and rehabilitation programme concluded with the organization of a closing ceremony on 7 January 2011 at Sharq Village Hotel at which more than 40 authorities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector institutions, activists and individuals concerned with women’s and children’s issues were honoured;

Phase 3: A sports competition for persons with disabilities was held on 17 March 2012 at a venue in Sports City (Aspire Zone) with a view to combating violence against persons with disabilities. A wide range of individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations participated in the event, which was effective in raising awareness through recreational (sporting) education;

Phase 3 concluded with a training course held for people working with persons with disabilities on the detection and reporting of abuse and violence on 28–29 March 2012. Some 39 trainees and a trainer participated in the course.

Media campaign to publicize the 919 helpline

45.A media campaign was conducted to publicize the 919 helpline, as follows:

Display location	Date	Number	Advertising medium
Radio Sawt al-Khalij Radio Qatar Radio Qur’an	9 March–15 May 2011	9	Radio flash
Qatar TV	8–31 March 2011	5	Television flash
Various locations in Doha	7–31 March 2011	3	Street posters
Screens in all shopping malls (Villagio, Landmark City Centre)	March 2011	3	Shopping mall announcements

“Be gentle with women” campaign

46.The “Be gentle with women” campaign was launched on 18 November 2012, for a period of five months. The campaign involved the organization of a series of awareness-raising activities, competitions, seminars and workshops targeting the media and different groups in the community which the campaign addressed in commercial centres, religious platforms and public places.

Events and celebrations

47.Events and celebrations included the following:

Celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women over a period of four days, from 21 to 24 November 2011;

Celebration of International Women’s Day under the banner “Our daughters are a blessing” on 8 March 2012.

Booklets and other materials

48.Activities in this area include the following:

Preparation and issuance and distribution of booklets, pamphlets, fliers and other materials on the promotion of a culture of protection of women’s and children’s rights in all governmental and non-governmental bodies;

Issuance of a quarterly bulletin entitled “Himayah(Protection)” and preparation of five issues of Aman(Safety), a magazine distributed to various official governmental and non-governmental bodies, civil society institutions and other entities and individuals concerned with women’s and children’s issues.

Media

49.Media coverage has included the following:

Communication with the media through participation in print and broadcast media programmes and activities to discuss issues relating to the situation of women and children;

Allocation of a weekly local page entitled “Safe haven” in national daily Al- Rayah in order to build social and legal awareness of the areas of protection for women and children in the family and the community. The page includes advice on social, legal, health and psychological issues in addition to questions, suggestions and observations from readers in order to create the lively interaction required.

Periodic reports

50.Periodic reports on the achievements of the Foundation, covering topics, issues and statistics relating to children, have been published and distributed.

6.Training, skills upgrading and development of the labour force

51.People working in various sectors are being given training and their skills are being upgraded and developed in order to protect women and children from abuse and violence. It is anticipated that these measures will increase the capacity of the relevant institutions to provide excellent and effective top-quality professional services.

Training courses (2008–2012)

Target group	Number of sessions	Number of beneficiaries
Course for people working in the education sector (licence holders, school principals and social workers) on how to detect cases of abuse and violence and deviant practices against children	9	400
Course for people working in the health sector (doctors and nurses) on how to deal with women and children who are victims of abuse and violence	7	295
Course for people working in the security sector on skills for dealing with women and children who are victims of abuse and violence	5	190
Course for people working in the Department of Da`wa (Proselytism) and Religious Guidance on the protection of women and children from abuse and violence from the perspective of Islamic law	1	38
Course for people working with persons with disabilities about techniques for dealing with cases of abuse and neglect of women and children	1	47
Training sessions for people working in cooperating institutions on family counselling and the art of listening	2	52
The Fourth Consultation Conference for Child Helplines in the Middle East and North Africa	1	90

Annex

Statistics on domestic violence against women, 2012

Cases by economic status, 2012

Total	High	Average	Low	Case type
5	0	5	0	Neglect
16	4	9	3	Family break - up
389	42	291	56	Physical violence
7	0	7	0	Sexual violence
6	0	5	1	Psychological violence
68	4	24	10	Marital problems
461	50	341	70	Total

Cases by social status, 2012

Total	Other	Separated	Widowed	Divorced	Single	Married	Case type
5						5	Neglect
16		1		3	7	5	Family break - up
389	43	12	2	9	30	293	Physical violence
7				2	5		Sexual violence
6				3		3	Psychological violence
38		1		1		36	Marital problems
461	43	14	2	18	42	342	Total

Cases by educational status, 2012

Case type	Illiterate	Reads, writes	Elementary	Preparatory	Secondary	Diploma	Graduate	Postgraduate	Not specified	Total
Neglect	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	1	5
Family break - up	0	1	1	2	5	1	2	1	3	16
Physical violence	3	5	16	19	105	10	78	2	100	389
Sexual violence	0	0	0	2	5	0	0	0	0	7
Psychological violence	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0	0	6
Marital problems	1	0	3	2	16	0	12	0	4	38
Total	4	6	20	26	136	11	96	3	107	461