Qatar’s Shura Council held its weekly session on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Tamim bin Hamad Hall in Doha, chaired by HE Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem. Two significant legislative developments came out of the session: a proposal to legally protect children in digital spaces moved forward, and two long-awaited bills, the Owners’ Association Law and the Measurement Law, were formally approved.
Child Digital Protection: A New Law on the Horizon
Members of the Shura Council tabled a proposal for a dedicated law on the digital protection of children in Qatar. The initiative was referred to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee, which then submitted its report to the full council. After deliberation, the council unanimously agreed to send the proposal to the Health, General Services and Environment Committee for a broader review before a final report is brought back.
The push for this legislation reflects growing concern over how quickly children are accessing digital platforms, and the risks that come with it. The proposal specifically flags:
- Data privacy and protection concerns
- Exposure to harmful content online
- Cyberbullying
- Digital exploitation of minors
This is part of a wider regional conversation about keeping up with the pace of technology through legislative frameworks that actually protect young users. For families raising children in Qatar, this is a development worth watching closely.
Owners’ Association and Measurement Bills Approved
In a significant win for property owners across Qatar, the council unanimously endorsed both the Owners’ Association Bill and the Measurement Bill in their amended forms, referring them to the government for the next steps.
The Owners’ Association Law has been in the works for some time, with earlier readings and committee reviews dating back through 2025. Its approval matters particularly to residents who own apartments in shared residential buildings, as it sets out the legal framework for how shared spaces, maintenance responsibilities, and collective decisions are managed.
International Parliamentary Engagements
The session also covered several recent international engagements. The council reviewed:
- A report by HE Deputy Speaker Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti on Doha hosting the 298th session of the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in January 2026
- Participation by HE Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dosari in the temporary diplomatic committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), held in Cairo in August 2025
- Participation by HE Abdullah bin Nasser bin Turki Al Subaie in the 57th Meeting of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), held in Abu Dhabi in January 2026
These engagements reflect Qatar’s continued presence and voice in regional and international parliamentary forums.
What This Means for Residents in Qatar
The child digital protection proposal, if passed into law, would make Qatar one of the regional leaders in legislating specifically for children’s online safety. For expat families and Qatari households alike, this could mean clearer rights and legal recourse if a child is harmed online.
The Owners’ Association Law approval is equally practical. Thousands of residents in apartment complexes across Doha currently operate in a grey area when it comes to shared building management. A formal legal structure changes that.
FAQs
What did Qatar’s Shura Council discuss on May 18, 2026? The council debated a proposed child digital protection law and approved the Owners’ Association and Measurement bills in their amended forms.
What is the Qatar child digital protection proposal about? It is a draft law aimed at protecting children from online risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, data privacy violations, and digital exploitation.
Was the Owners’ Association Bill approved by the Shura Council? Yes, the council unanimously approved the Owners’ Association Bill and the Measurement Bill on May 18, 2026, referring them to the government.
Where was the Shura Council session held? At Tamim bin Hamad Hall, Doha, chaired by HE Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem.
