POLICY BRIEFS
The following policy briefs are published by the Centre for Law and Development at Qatar University College of Law as part of the Jean Monnet Doha Courses on European Union Law, made possible with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
DISCLAIMER: The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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ECO REVOLUTION: EU STRATEGIES FOR PLASTICS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
By Sana Al-Abdulla
April 2024
The presence of plastics in the Circular Economy poses a multifaced problem that hinders the effective implementation of EU policies that foster circular practices, directly contradicting its objectives to prevent and mitigate such problems. Despite the existence of comprehensive policies, including the EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) which aims to reduce waste and protect the environment by recycling 70% of packaging waste by 2030, the enforcement and effectiveness of these measures remain inconsistent across EU member states. This lack of uniformity in enforcement practices, combined with gaps in monitoring, reporting, and sanctions, creates a pressing problem that requires urgent attention.
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ESTABLISHING AN EU FUND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: ADDRESSING COLONIAL LEGACY
By Fawziya Alkubaisi
April 2024
Historical colonialism left lasting scars on ecosystems and communities across Africa, Asia, and the Americas; while European nations have made strides in environmental protection and sustainability, they have yet to fully acknowledge their historical responsibilities and the need for reparative actions beyond their borders.
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FROM GAP TO EQUALITY: PAVING THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN THE EU
By Maryam Hassan Al-Ali
April 2024
The policy brief will showcase the European Union's initiatives and strategies to achieve gender equality, specifically in terms of equal pay and equal opportunities in the labor market. It also focuses on the Lisbon Treaty's legal framework for promoting gender equality and targets the continuing wage gap and underrepresentation of women in the workforce. The brief suggests options such as government supervision, educational programs, and business encouragement to ensure gender equality. It underlines the socioeconomic significance of gender equality in the EU, calling for a strategy that will build a more equitable and resilient European Union.
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TRANSITIONING TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACTION PLAN
By Dana Al Shurafa, Rokaya Abass, Gharam Al Mohannadi, Amna Al Jehani, and Shaikha Al Fehani
April 2024
Although the EU has adopted a new CEAP to implement newer measures in the eorts of transitioning to a circular economy, there are still challenges and barriers that pose as an obstacle in transitioning to a circular economy, this advocacy policy brief proposes solutions or recommendations to implement the CEAP and help with the transition to a circular economy.
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THE WAR IN PALESTINE: HOW THE EU VALUSE THE RIGHTS OF SOME MORE THAN OTHERS
By Salim Khursheed
April 2024
The European Union (EU) prides itself on its stance as a mediator in global conflict. But is this position of mediation reflective of their policies or is it just a veil meant to cover up any hidden biases? Despite the EU’s commitment to the protection of human rights for all, some EU member states can be seen aiding and funding the Israeli regime. While there have been basic efforts by the EU to sponsor peace in the region, the recurring flouting of the Oslo Accords by Israel proves these efforts have not been as effective as claimed. This warrants EU to take a more stringent approach that could disincentivise Israel and help protect the rights of the oppressed Palestinian citizens.
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GCC MASTER COHESION POLICY
By Dr. Reem Al-Ansari, Amna Nasser Al-Malki, Mumen Elshafe, and Abdulaziz Junaid Tahir
August 2023
The scope of the cohesion policy can vastly assist in elevating the GCC countries in expanding post oil, gas and World Cup era, which will enhance their economic position and is a major factor in achieving self-sufficiency. Creating a "cohesive" system means creating a benefit for the GCC, which aspires to be a favorable FDI destination. Most importantly, it will conserve the region’s identity.
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OBESITY CONTROL IN QATAR INFLUENCED BY EU REGULATIONS
By Turim Elhaj and Hana Muneer
August 2023
To more effectively combat its obesity pandemic, Qatar needs to examine its present policies on obesity and incorporate lessons learned from EU health legislation.
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GUARDIANS OF THE PAW: PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC PETS NEEDED
By Rokaya Adil Abbas, Kholoud Mohammed AlKaabi, Dana Ahmed Al Shurafa and Nouf Mohammed A Abutalaf
August 2023
The issue of animal abuse and neglect in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been a prevalent and ongoing issue. The GCC must take action in order to keep up with the European Union's (EU) resolutions and what it had amended in the European Convention for Protection of Pet Animals (ECPPA). Pets are weak creatures and need our protection, action is required.
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ENHANCING TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN EU-QATAR RELATIONS
By Mahla Jaber Al-Haram, Baraah Abdalla, Noor Al-Hathal, Mashael Khaled and Noof Mohammed Akhtar
August 2023
There are still opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between Qatar and the EU in other sectors. Qatar has been investing in areas such as infrastructure, real estate, finance, and tourism, which can attract foreign investment from EU countries.
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REPLICATING THE SUCCESS OF THE EUROZONE IN THE GCC: A COMMON CURRENCY AREA
By Advaita Nair Manikandan Nair, Lama Matalqa, Maha Al Faridi, Maryam Al Muhanndi, and Sharouq Saeed
August 2022
The aims of this policy brief are (1) to highlight the importance of a common currency for the GCC, (2) to discuss the potential of a common currency area for the GCC, and (3) to provide recommendations for further economic integration through a monetary union akin to the Eurozone.
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Human trafficking in the European Union: The case of Hungary
By Salsabeel Elsayed Abdelrahman Mahmoud, Muneera Almuhannadi, and Ismael Alkeilani
January 2022
Human trafficking is not only a crime, but also a gross violation of human rights. Human traffickers consider their victims a commodity and violate their basic rights, in a way that restricts their freedom to decide where to move or where to work. Hence, there is an urgent need for an approach to be done by the government and the concerned authorities, to preserve the dignity and the well-being of people who were victims of trafficking.
The U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights has encouraged all nations—and by extension, all service providers—to place human rights "at the center of all efforts to prevent and combat trafficking, and to protect, help and support trafficked people".
Despite its significant efforts, the office to monitor and combat trafficking in person report of 2021 lists Hungary as a Tier 2 country when it comes to humantrafficking cases.
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Waste Management in the EU: The Deceptively Easy Solutions
By Haya Al-Borshaid and Aisha Al-Mansouri
November 2021
The EU faces significant challenges in ensuring proper compliance across the entire scope of its legislative activity, but waste poses threats to the health and well-being of Europeans. Nevertheless, the waste generated in the EU per capita is still high and it did not decrease significantly in the last few years, despite the waste management policies. It is estimated that the average European citizen generates around 5 tons of waste per year. However, only a small portion of the total waste generated in the EU is recycled.
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Policy Brief: Tourism Between the EU and GCC
By Safaa Sadi Jaber and Noora Fahad Aldosari
May 2021
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will make the Gulf region the world’s destination in the upcoming year, as Qatar is hosting one of the biggest global events. The GCC countries have no harmonized strategies or treaties with each other to develop Gulf tourism as a whole. Tourism made Europe the world’s first destination, due to the Schengen agreement that helps increasing tourism and economics. We recommend that the GCC countries sign an agreement to abolish internal borders to make travelling easier for tourists. Also, to promote their efforts to sign a Visawaiver agreement with the EU. Moreover, create a common visa (Batota Visa) for visitors coming to GCC.
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Policy Brief: Environmental Protection Practices in the EU and GCC
By Aisha Jamal Al-Mansouri, Latifa Abdulla Al-Marri, and Noora Hassan Al-Qahtani
May 2021
The GCC has contributed to many international agreements regarding environmental protection but has not implemented a specific GCC institute relating to environmental contributions like the EU’s EEA, which governs environmental practices of the EU member states and their integrated initiatives of the EU region towards environmental protection and sustainability. The GCC faces many environmental issues that impact global concerns like global warming. Therefore, it is necessary for GCC countries to develop a unified environmental institution that governs environmental practic es of member states and ensures they abide by environmental laws for the prosperity of the region.
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Dual Goal of Environmental Protection and Economic Diversification: Collaboration Between Qatar and EU
By Adhrika Nair M, Amal Al-Abdulla, and Najlaa N Alkhulaifi
May 2021
Tackling marine pollution and developing a sustainable blue economy as a means of economic diversification are areas of common strategic interest for both Qatar and the EU. Qatar faces an increasing issue of ocean pollution due to littering and microplastic contamination. Economic diversification is one of the major goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 to ensure the reduction of over-dependence of the Qatari economy on hydrocarbons. On the other hand, the EU's blue economy has created jobs and has contributed significantly to its GDP.
Various research has indicated that marine pollution in Qatar has adverse consequences on marine biodiversity and the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this problem due to the increased usage of face masks. Additionally, statistics have revealed that there is great potential for Qatar in developing its blue economy as a means to diversify its economy and achieve self-sufficiency in fish stocks.
This policy brief recommends the signing of an MoU between Qatar and the EU to achieve the twin objective of protecting the marine ecosystem and achieve economic diversification. By exchanging technology and know-hows, jointly increasing investments to develop the blue economy, and engaging in bilateral trade of the output from the blue economy, Qatar and the EU can fulfill their common interests.
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Policy Brief: Air Pollution in the State of Qatar
By Muneera Ebrahim Almuhannadi, Al-Anood Ahmed Al-Kuwari, and Latifa Mubarak Al-Sulaiti
May 2021
As a party to the Paris Agreement, Qatar must also set a specific GHG emission reduction target and strategy by 2030, rather than limit its contribution to economic diversification. The UN has urgently stated the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees celcius and reducing global GHG emissions to 45% by 2030. In order to fulfill those obligations, however, drastic measures shoudl be taken, including regulations to limit the amount of air pollution. Regulatory compliance is another vital strategy, where Qatar should encourage consumers to change their behavior and use green energy.
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