Enter.
E
(2182/5)
BRITISH RESIDENCY,
BAHRAIN.
RESTRICTED
29th December, 1951.
Thank you for your letter No.EA 2181/3 of the
18th December on the subject of slavery in Qatar. Sir
Rupert Hay has asked me to tell you that in a recent
conversation with the Ruler of Qatar, the latter said
that he intended to make an announcement of the abolition
of slavery in the new year. His idea was to allow a
six week period for abolition to become effective after
this announcement, though he did not wish to issue an
elaborate 'Alan.
He was not clear on the subject of compensation
but he did promise to pay one quarter of it from his
private purse.
3.
Sir Rupert urged the Ruler to issue a brief
Alan after the expiry of the six week period to the
effect that the ownership of human beings was thenceforth
prohibited in Qatar.
(J.A.N. Graham)
W.P. Cranston, Esq.,
Eastern Department,
Foreign Office,
S.W.1.
