I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing concern regarding the inhuman, unethical, and illegal practices conducted by debt collectors  and Commercial Bank of Qatar. The debt collection industry in Qatar is currently rife with abhorrent practices that not only violate the rights of debtors but also exploit their families and children, leading to severe emotional distress and psychological harm.

My Story:

Like many others who have worked in Qatar, I faced a financial crisis due to circumstances beyond my control. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in job loss and the collapse of my business, leaving me unable to meet my financial obligations, including credit card payments. The situation forced me to return to my home country, where I struggled to navigate this difficult period.

Amidst my financial hardship, debt collectors from Azzite Claims & Recovery Services relentlessly pursued me. Despite explaining my financial circumstances and expressing my commitment to repay the debt, they began harassing me through my friends and family. Their actions escalated to the point where they targeted my wife, brothers, friends, and in-laws, exploiting public profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to gather contact information. Furthermore, they reached out to my previous employers and colleagues, causing immense distress and exacerbating my existing mental health issues, leading to hospitalization due to depression, hypertension, and acute stress-related ailments.

I offered to establish a repayment plan and pay what I could monthly, but their aggressive harassment continued unabated.

Desired Qatari Code of Conduct for Debt Collectors:

We propose the establishment of a comprehensive and enforceable code of conduct for debt collectors in Qatar. This code of conduct should include, but not be limited to, the following:

Respect for Privacy:

Debt collectors must respect the privacy of debtors and their families, refraining from approaching friends, family members, employers, or past employers for the purpose of harassment.

No Blackmail or Threats:

Debt collectors should be strictly prohibited from resorting to blackmail, threats, or any form of psychological aggression to extract payments or coerce debtors.

Transparency and Honesty:

Debt collectors must operate transparently and honestly, providing accurate and complete information to debtors regarding their outstanding debts and repayment options.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations:

Debt collectors should adhere to all relevant laws and regulations governing debt collection practices in Qatar.

Proposed Actions:

Ban Unethical Debt Collection Companies:

Call upon the Qatari government to investigate and ban debt collection companies like Azzite Claims & Recovery Services that engage in unethical and illegal practices, ensuring a safer environment for debtors.

Enforce Compliance with Code of Conduct:

Urge Qatari banks to comply with the Debt Collection Code of Conduct, ensuring that they partner only with ethical debt collection agencies that adhere to the established guidelines. Qatari banks partnering with unethical debt collectors like Azzite Claims & Recovery Services is a wall of shame, tarnishing their reputation. It exposes the two-faced ethical claims of these banks.

Formulate Clear Regulations:

Work in collaboration with relevant authorities and organizations to develop clear and stringent regulations based on the proposed code of conduct, ensuring that debt collectors operate ethically and within the bounds of the law.

Implement Awareness Campaigns:

Launch public awareness campaigns to educate both debtors and creditors about their rights and responsibilities under the new code of conduct, promoting a fair and respectful debt collection process.

Establish Reporting Mechanisms:

Create a confidential reporting mechanism where individuals can report incidents of unethical and illegal debt collection practices, ensuring that appropriate action is taken against the violators.

Call to Action:

I urge you all, if you have anyone in your circle facing a similar situation like mine, please ask him or her to join hands by sharing their story in the comments. Together, we can shed light on these injustices and fight for a fair and ethical debt collection system in Qatar.

We, the signatories of this petition, strongly believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. We call upon the relevant authorities within Qatar to take immediate action to address these grave concerns, ban unethical debt collection companies, implement the proposed code of conduct, and create a safer, more just society.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your positive response and proactive steps towards a more compassionate and ethical debt collection industry in Qatar.