Ms. Maryam Bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Committee, renewed the invitation of the Committee to all affected Qatari citizens wishing to travel to the UAE to be reunited with their families, complete their education, obtain their educational records or access their properties or resort to the UAE courts, not to hesitate to contact the committee if they face any obstacles or difficulties imposed by the UAE authorities, on the following hotlines: +974 33297777 / +974 33296666, In accordance with the decision of the International Court of Justice.

Al-Attiyah noted that the National Human Rights Committee has allocated hot numbers and specialized legal researchers in anticipation of any harassment that Qataris may be subjected to before the UAE authorities. The hotline numbers are only for monitoring and documenting cases that may result from violations or attempts to circumvent the decision and denial of the rights of Qataris. Al-Attiyah pointed out that there are three other hot lines to receive complaints of violations from other countries of the blockade, other than the United Arab Emirates, namely: 0097466626663/0097450006008/0097450800006 / and called on all media to contribute to clarify the nature of these numbers to prevent any confusion for those wishing to communicate with the National Human Rights Committee.

Al-Attiyah stressed that the Committee will continue to monitor closely any attempt to put obstacles by the UAE authorities to the victims of the citizens of Qatar, stressing at the same time that the decision of the International Court of Justice was a first step in the path of justice for all victims affected by the measures and actions imposed by the rest of the countries of the blockade.

(Text of the Statement)

The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice on 23 July 2018 on the indication of provisional measures in accordance with the case brought before the ICJ by the State of Qatar against the United Arab Emirates in accordance with article 22 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in favor of the citizens and residents of the State of Qatar affected by the discriminatory decisions and actions taken by UAE authorities.

The court indicates that the UAE must respect its international obligations, stop violations immediately, give the opportunity to students affected by the measures adopted by the UAE to complete their education or obtain their educational records if they wish to complete their studies elsewhere, and allow the access of the Qataris affected by the said measures to tribunals and other judicial organs of the UAE.

The court considers as evidenced by the arguments advanced and the documents placed, in particular the report of the technical mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and reports of Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Committee in addition to the reported violations raised by The State of Qatar that the measures adopted by the UAE violate the International Convention against All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The National Human Rights Committee considers this decision an important and decisive step towards the final decision of the International Court of Justice for the purpose of redressing and compensating the victims for the damages caused to them. The NHRC also considers the decision as a form of an international condemnation by the United Nations system of the gross violations committed by the United Arab Emirates. Accordingly, The NHRC calls on the authorities of the United Arab Emirates to expeditiously implement and comply with the provisions of the decision.

The National Human Rights Committee draws the attention of all affected Qatari citizens wishing to travel to the UAE to be reunited with their families, complete their education, obtain their educational records or access their properties or resort to the UAE courts, not to hesitate to contact the committee If they face any obstacles or difficulties imposed by the UAE authorities, on the following hotlines: +974 33297777 / +974 33296666.

The decision comes to invalidate the allegations of the UAE and the countries of the blockade, and proves unequivocally that the measures taken by these countries are forms of collective punishment and discriminatory sanctions against citizens and residents of the State of Qatar as a result of this unjust blockade.

The NHRC appreciates the move towards judicial settlement by the Qatari government before the International Court of Justice in order to redress the victims and restore their rights and calls for further judicial movements against all the countries of the blockade.

The National Human Rights Committee notes that it will spare no effort to hold the UAE authorities and the blockading countries accountable in all international forums and to determine their international and criminal responsibility.

The National Human Rights committee regards this decision as a victory of justice and international law and a key step in combating impunity and determining the international responsibility of the UAE for the grave violations imposed against the Qatari people.

Dhu’lqa’dah 10, 1439
June 23, 2018
Doha, Qatar

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(Text of the Statement)

The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar reviewed the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates, in which the UAE authorities claim that they have not taken any administrative or legal measures to deport Qatari citizens from the UAE since 5 June 2017. This statement is misleading and has many obvious fallacies with the aim to avoid the legal and human responsibilities resulting from the violations carried out by the UAE authorities since the beginning of the blockade. It is also considered a desperate attempt to improve their image before international public opinion and international and regional human rights organizations which have clearly and explicitly condemned the actions taken by the United Arab Emirates and the arbitrary measures that resulted in serious violations of human rights. On 5 June 2017, The Emirati authorities have taken its arbitrary decision to expel Qatari citizens from its territory and demanded departure of its citizens from Qatar within 14 days, and imposed a sudden ban on travel for all without any consideration to humanitarian cases, as confirmed by reports of international organizations and Parliamentary delegations that visited the State of Qatar after the blockade and according to the successive reports of the National Human Rights Committee in the State of Qatar that documented the cases that were expelled by the UAE authorities without taking into account the humanitarian aspects of the mixed families, Qatari students, property owners, persons with disabilities, and patients in a flagrant violation of international human rights instruments.

The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar also reaffirms what has been mentioned in its previous statements, including its statement issued on 11 June 2017 on the consideration of humanitarian cases of mixed families, its statement of 26 June 2017 on the violation of the right of Qatari students enrolled at the UAE universities, its statement of 20 July 2017 on the violation of the right to private property of Qatari nationals in the United Arab Emirates, as well as its communications issued on 15 and 23 October 2017 to the competent authorities of the UAE, in which the NHRC called for the cooperation for purpose of reparation and providing assistance to victims, yet without receiving any response from those bodies. The statement issued by the UAE foreign ministry confirms the continuation of the UAE authorities to mislead the international community instead of finding urgent solutions to the humanitarian tragedies caused by the blockade.

The National Human Rights Committee also expresses its concern about the continuation of the UAE authorities to prevent the entry of Qatari citizens and residents of the state Qatar to the UAE territories, deny their right to access their private property, prevent joint families from visiting, and deny the right of Qatari citizens to complete their education and receive treatment without any justification or legal reason, this is in addition to the denial Of the rights of citizens to litigation and recourse to national courts in the UAE.

Many students have addressed the relevant UAE universities in order to resume their studies or obtain their administrative and academic documents. The owners of the properties can not access their property and live in fear of losing their properties and investments or bankruptcy if The international community has not acted promptly. In addition, a lot of people lost their jobs, and many common families are dispersed, while exacerbating the tragedy of children and women.

The National Human Rights Committee notes that it will spare no effort to address the issue of the responsibility and accountability of the UAE authorities in all international forums, while noting that international bodies and organizations – including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Parliament, Amnesty International and Human Rights – And their statements and decisions confirmed the racist violations and discriminatory practices of the UAE authorities against Qatari nationals and residents of the State of Qatar.

The NHRC calls on the international community to take decisive and deterrent punitive measures against the UAE authorities and to take urgent moves to lift the injustice and ensure redress for the victims.

22 Shawwal 1434
06 July 2018
Doha, Qatar

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The NHRC called on the OHCHR, the Human Rights Council and the Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief to take immediate action to remove Saudi impediments to pilgrims of the State of Qatar

The NHRC is studying legal procedures to bring the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to justice internationally

Dr. Al-Marri: KSA is responsible for the missing the second season of pilgrimage for the pilgrims of Qatar and we are working to hold KSA accountable in international forums

The Saudi authorities have taken no steps to enable the pilgrims of Qatar to exercise their right to perform their religious rites

We call on the international community to take the necessary measures against the responsible authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The response of the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva does not break any new ground

The need to consider the situation of pilgrims from vulnerable groups (the elderly, persons with disabilities and low-income people)

Qatari Ministry of endowment has addressed the Saudi authorities through the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman under the guidance of the Ministry of Hajj and has not yet received a reply

Doha, July 2, 2018

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the NHRC, addressed three UN bodies, represented by Mr. Fujislav Sok, President of the Human Rights Council, Prince Zeid Bin Raad, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr. Ahmed Shahid, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; with the aim to raise the concern of the National Human Rights Committee about the continued obstacles imposed by the Saudi authorities to enable Qataris and residents of Qatar to exercise their right to perform their religious rites and to demand immediate action against the Saudi authorities; pointing out that the NHRC in Qatar is studying all legal procedures to prosecute Saudi Arabia for flagrant violations of the right to practice religious rites as well as the politicization of Hajj and Umrah and its ramifications in raising obstacles to the pilgrims of Qatar; stressing that the Saudi authorities practice misleading actions in order to mislead the international community and avoid international condemnation. Al Marri said that the authorities in the Kingdom cannot deceive the international organizations and the international community, they held the responsibility for missing the second season of pilgrimage and the NHRC will spare no effort to held it countable in all international forums; pointing out at the same time that the major international organizations including the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Council condemned in their reports and statements Saudi practices and blatant violations of the right to practice religious rites.

The correspondences addressing the three UN bodies indicated that the obstacles deliberately imposed by the Saudi authorities on those who wish to perform the rituals of Hajj from Qatari citizens and residents in the State of Qatar constitute a serious violation of the right to worship and to practice the religious rituals stipulated in the international and regional human rights conventions. At the same time, the National Human Rights Committee confirmed that the ban on direct flights from the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia persists, in addition to the closure of the border land crossing between the two countries, and the prohibition of remittances by the authorities in Saudi Arabia between the Qatari campaigns and the Saudi Hajj agents who are authorized to grant the necessary permits and preventing the circulation of the Qatari currency in Saudi Arabia, which causes huge financial losses due to the arbitrary measures referred to.

The response of the Permanent Delegation of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva reiterates the same conditions that were previously announced, which were vague and unclear and did not break any new ground in terms of removing the obstacles and difficulties facing pilgrims, and did not address the concerns raised in the reports of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar relating to the damage and financial losses incurred by the Qatari Hajj campaigns.

The NHRC said in its correspondence: We consider prolongation of the issue of Hajj and procrastination of the Saudi authorities is an attempt by the authorities in Saudi Arabia to suspend any action that could be taken by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or special procedures, and stressed the need to take necessary action with regard to the need for coordination between the Saudi authorities and the Ministry of endowment and Islamic Affairs of Qatar to reach to clear and specific mechanisms to facilitate Hajj and Umrah procedures for Qataris and residents in Qatar, opening the electronic registration portal for pilgrims from the State of Qatar, and granting them visas through the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Doha, opening the land border crossing between the two countries, taking into account humanitarian cases, and low-income individuals, opening direct flights back and forth between the State of Qatar to Saudi Arabia for those wishing to perform Hajj and Umrah rituals, and allowing the flow of remittances between campaigns, Hajj and Umrah service providers in Qatar, Hajj and Umrah agents in Saudi Arabia, and permitting the Qatari currency to float freely in Saudi Arabia.

The delegation of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar visited Saudi Arabia and met with the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the removal of the obstacles and difficulties faced by Qatari pilgrims and residents in the State of Qatar and address the need to take into account the situation of the most vulnerable groups especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and low-income individuals. The NHRC stated that the Qatari delegation did not find any solutions to the obstacles imposed by the concerned Saudi authorities, which responded only to the Qatari delegation that the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar should direct official correspondence with its demands through the embassy of Sultanate of Oman.

The letters pointed out that the State of Qatar represented by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has responded to the request of the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and extended the communications in a timely manner which have not been answered so far; pointing out that although the pilgrimage season on Dhu al-Hijjah 20, corresponding to August 20, 2018. According to what is known, pilgrims should proceed with the arrangements of Hajj so that they can perform their religious rituals in a timely manner. However, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar confirmed in a statement dated on June 6 that ” the Saudi authorities continue to put obstacles and impose arbitrary measures exclusively on the residents of the State of Qatar, and that the registration for Umrah and pilgrimage remains closed, and the direction from the city of Doha to the city of Jeddah also is not available.”

Mogherini reaffirms the importance and utility of an ongoing exchange of views and information between the European Union and the National Human Rights Committee

Dr. Al-Marri: We affirm the continued cooperation, coordination and dialogue with the institutions of the European Union and the European Parliament

Mogherini’s statements reflect the positive attitude of the European Union and the European Parliament against the blockade imposed on Qatar

We highly appreciate the readiness of the EU foreign policy chief to establish a human rights dialogue with the State of Qatar

The NHRC has strong bilateral relations with the European Union and the European Parliament

Doha: 30 June 2018

Ms. Federica Mujerini, EU foreign policy chief stressed the importance of initiating an informal dialogue in the field of human rights as a means of promoting bilateral cooperation and following up the ongoing exchange of views and information between the European Union and the National Human Rights Committee. Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the NHRC in Qatar, valued the European Union’s continued cooperation with the National Human Rights Committee, as well as the cooperation with Parliament.

Mugrini met with the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in Brussels recently. The two sides discussed the positive relations between the EU and the State of Qatar and the next steps to be taken to implement the bilateral cooperation agreement signed on March 7, 2018, on the occasion of the visit of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Brussels. In this context, it was agreed that an informal dialogue on human rights would begin as a way to advance bilateral cooperation and follow up the ongoing exchange of views and information between the European Union and the National Human Rights Committee.

Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh Al-Marri said that Mogherini’s statements reflect the positive attitude of the European Union and the European Parliament against the blockade imposed on Qatar; “We highly appreciate Ms. Federica Mujerini’s concern for human rights issues and her support for the establishment of a human rights dialogue with the State of Qatar, which reflects the importance attached by European Union countries and institutions to the protection of human rights as one of the most important principles for which the Union European Union. The National Human Rights Committee appreciates the European Union’s commitment to follow-up the ongoing exchange with the National Human Rights Committee, thus strengthening the culture of human rights in Qatar, the Gulf region and the whole world. The National Human Rights Committee is ready to further bilateral cooperation with European Union human rights institutions and the European Parliament to exchange experiences and expertise in the field of protecting human rights. The NHRC has strong bilateral relations with the European Union and the European Parliament.

Al Marri cited the consultative agreement for the exchange of experiences and consultations signed by the National Human Rights Committee with the European Parliament last April, as the first of its kind with a national institution for human rights in the Gulf and Arab countries. The signed agreement is one of the most important mechanisms through which the human rights developments in Qatar are implemented and monitored, and paves the way for close cooperation between the NHRC and the European Parliament to carry out many joint programs in the field of human rights. It also allows the European Parliament to learn about the ramifications of the blockade and to examine how to deal with these violations.

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh stressed the importance of continuing cooperation, coordination and dialogue with EU institutions and the European Parliament on the promotion of human rights in the State of Qatar and determining the international responsibility of the blockading countries for the violations they have committed against the Qatari people.

The NHRC continues to move in the context of the international mechanisms to end violations and redress the victims

Al Marri appreciates the positive attitude of the European Union and the European Parliament towards the blockade imposed on Qatar

The European Parliament has to triumph over the principles for which it was founded and to act to protect human rights

The position of neutrality loses all justification when it comes to the humanitarian tragedy of thousands of families who have been suffering for more than a year

We urge the Government of Qatar to continue the judicial and legal proceedings in the context of the international arbitration bodies and mechanisms to stop violations and redress victims

All the reports of the international human rights organizations confirm the involvement of the blockading countries in serious violations of human rights, in violation of all international norms and provisions

Brussels Wednesday: 27 June 2018

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the NHRC in Qatar, called on the European Parliament to shoulder its responsibilities and issue a resolution condemning the violations committed by the countries of the blockade against Qatar and specifying their international responsibilities, with the aim is to stop violations and to redress the victims. This came during the meeting of Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh Al Marri with European Parliament’s speaker Antonio Tiana, followed by a series of important meetings held by Dr. Al Marri with a number of officials of the European Parliament in Brussels. The Chairman of the NHRC handed over a copy of the “Year of the blockade of Qatar” report, which documents all the violations that the countries of the blockade have been implicated against the Qatari people and residents in the GCC countries, and all the moves and efforts of the NHRC in and outside Qatar to stop those Violations.

Al Marri noted the positive attitude of the European Union and the European Parliament towards the blockade imposed on Qatar, pointing to the support of the European Parliament after the issuance of the report of the technical mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights following its field visit to Qatar. He also referred to the rich discussions in the hearing held by the European Parliament and the strong support of MPs for the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar and the National Human Rights Committee to stop violations resulting from the blockade imposed on Qatar since 5 June 2017. Dr. Al Marri called on the European Parliament to take more effective measures and to show stronger stances to urge the countries of the blockade to stop their violations and end the suffering of thousands of Qatari and Gulf families; “We call on the European Parliament to uphold the principles for which it was founded and to take more effective action to protect human rights in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. We understand that the position of the European Parliament states on the Gulf crisis, and we stress that the position of neutrality loses all its justification when it comes to the humanitarian tragedy of thousands of families who have suffered for more than a year because of the intransigence of the countries of the blockade and refusal to resort to dialogue to end all harsh measures resulting of the blockade, which caused many tragedies including the dispersal of families, the expulsion of Qatari families from the countries of blockade, the deprivation of children from their fathers and mothers, the patients who were prevented from following their treatment in Qatar hospitals, and business owners who have suffered huge losses and have been unlawfully denied the access to their properties.”

Dr. Al Marri gave a detailed explanation on the issue of politicizing Saudi Arabia’s authorities for religious rituals and its continued intransigence in preventing pilgrims from Qatar from carrying out rituals and placing obstacles that impede their right to perform rituals and rituals, like millions of Muslims around the world. Al Marri called on the European Parliament to uphold the fundamental principles for which it was founded, particularly the protection of human rights in the world, stressing that “the European Parliament cannot accept a partnership with countries that besiege a people and persist in violations, without regard to international calls and warnings.”

In this context, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh stressed the growing international consensus that the Gulf crisis should be resolved and the unjust blockade to be needed. The chairman of the NHRC in his discussion with the President of the European Parliament presented a background on all issues in international human rights forums to stop the violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar and the dimensions of the complaints filed by the State of Qatar before the International Court of Justice against the UAE. Al-Marri pointed out that all the evidence and reports of international human rights organizations confirm the involvement of the blockading countries in serious violations of human rights, in violation of all international norms and provisions

Documenting cases of persons with disabilities who are separated from their families and others who were expelled from Saudi hospitals

Geneva: 25 June 2018

The chairman of the NHRC, Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, said that the violations caused by the Gulf crisis have not exempted people with disabilities. Many of them are separated from their families and others have been expelled from hospitals in some countries such as Saudi Arabia. Dr. Al Marri handed over to Ms. Catalina Devandas, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, the statistics of violations against persons with disabilities and demanded the inclusion of these statistics in a report to be summited to the Human Rights Council.

During the meeting in Geneva, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri stated that the NHRC monitored the conditions, he described as tragic, affecting the persons with disabilities, especially those violations that affected a large proportion of the population of mixed Gulf families. The NHRC has also documented and reported cases of this group, who have been expelled from the hospitals at some of the blockading countries including Saudi Arabia. Al-Marri briefed that the NHRC has lodged complaints with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and some international mechanisms, as well as providing further updates on the statistics of violations monitored by the National Human Rights Committee. Al-Marri called for action based on the information provided to the committee regarding the violations committed by the countries of the blockade against the rights of persons with disabilities and demanded sending urgent appeals and letters to the concerned countries to clarify these cases and compensate the victims financially and morally due to unprecedented measures that are imposed by these countries, and also demanded conducting field visits to these countries to discuss the situation of the protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities and to prepare a report to be submitted to the Human Rights Council including foundations, conclusions and recommendations reached by all international organizations and missions that have stood against the violations of various types.

The Qatari people no longer accept verbal condemnations without undertaking strong action that contribute to stopping their suffering

The victims of the blockade demand practical and deterrent decisions that triumph over human rights before political interests

EU countries have procedures and mechanisms to put pressure on the countries of the blockade

EU institutions are called upon to uphold the human rights principles on which they are based

Human rights issues should be a priority in EU relations with the blockading states

We call on the representative of the European Union for Human Rights to visit the State of Qatar and the blockading countries

Brussels: 23 June 2018

The chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar, Dr. Ali bin Samih Al-Marri, called on the European Union to take strong measures and to adopt firm positions to condemn the violations and suffering of thousands of Gulf families due to the blockade imposed on Qatar, which have affected thousands of families in Qatar and the Gulf States for more than a year.

During his meeting in Brussels with the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Dr. Ali presented a copy of the fifth report prepared by the National Human Rights Committee, one year after the blockade of Qatar. Al-Marri demanded the European Union to visit the State of Qatar and the rest of the parties to the crisis in order to address the humanitarian violations resulting from the blockade on Qatar, pointing out that the visit of the representative of the European Union to find out the repercussions of the blockade and its effects on the peoples of the Gulf region will play a key role and is a significant contribution to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

Al Marri stressed that more than a year after the blockade imposed on Qatar, citizens and residents of Qatar no longer accept the political positions of some countries, and verbal condemnation of the violations of the blockade, without taking any practical and deterrent decisions that would triumph for human rights before political interests between countries.

Dr. Ali called on the European Union countries to give priority to human rights in their relations with the countries of the blockade, calling on them to triumph over the noble humanitarian principles on which the European Union was founded, primarily the defense of human rights issues in various regions of the world.

Al-Marri called on European Union representative to inform the EU representatives that the victims of the blockade are citizens and residents of Qatar and the countries of the blockade are waiting for more effective and strong positions to stop the violations, stressing the need to move from the stage of verbal condemnation to decisions and procedures that give priority to rights in the relations of the European Union countries with the countries of the blockade, in order to affirm the credibility enjoyed by the European Union and its institutions among the peoples of the world.

Al-Marri said that the EU countries have the procedures and mechanisms to exert pressure on the countries of the blockade to stop the violations, in line with the principles on which the EU institutions were founded. During his meeting with Chiara Adamu, Head of the Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance Unit of the European Union’s Department of International Cooperation and Development, Dr. Ali highlighted the disastrous humanitarian impact on children in particular due to the blockade imposed on Qatar, pointing out that thousands of Qatari, Emirati, Saudi and Bahraini children were deprived of their parents and were prevented from traveling with their parents due to holding the Qatari citizenship, stressing that the children were subjected to a human crime that cannot be tolerated. He stressed that the silence of countries and governments on the continuation of the blockade imposed on Qatar for more than a year, is no longer acceptable. Al-Marri asked the EU countries to show the same rigor as those dealing with labor rights issues in the Gulf region , In dealing with human rights violations resulting from the Gulf crisis. Dr. Ali discussed with Ms. Chiara ways of partnership between both sides. It is expected that the two sides will sign a partnership agreement, in light of its ongoing work with national human rights institutions.

We call on the State of Qatar to resort to the Security Council to determine the responsibility of the countries of the blockade on their actions which amount to the crime of aggression

We welcome the complaint made by the State of Qatar to the Committee against Racial Discrimination and the International Court of Justice

The decision of the International Court of Justice is binding on the UAE and the Security Council may intervene to implement it

We call on the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion concerning the wrongful acts and measures of the blockading States

Qatar has to contract with an international psychosocial center to assess the extent of psychological damage to victims of embargo violations

We call on the Qatari government to sue Saudi Arabia for religious worship and violation of the right to perform religious rituals

The High Commissioner has been a source of inspiration to all human rights advocates despite the pressures and challenges he faced during his tenure

Geneva, 22 June 2018

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to suspend the membership of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Council due to gross and systematic violations committed against the Qatari people. While calling on the Qatari government to resort to the Security Council to determine the responsibility of the countries of the blockade on the illegal measures and wrongful acts committed by the countries of the blockade against Qatar, which amount to the crime of aggression and economic war and collective punishment against the people of Qatar. Al-Marri said at a press conference held at the United Nations in Geneva: We call for the suspension of membership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Human Rights Council in accordance with Article 8 of UN General Assembly Resolution No. 60/251 of 15 March 2006 on the establishment of the Human Rights Council. Al Marri called on The Human Rights Council to issue a resolution against human rights violations resulting from the blockade and taking into account the calls and reports issued by the Special Rapporteurs and the report of the technical mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Al-Marri called on the council to request further action of the special rapporteurs and to visit the State of Qatar and the countries of the blockade to identify violations, meet with the victims and report on the violations to the Human Rights Council. Al Marri also invited the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights to assume his responsibilities in accordance with the functions entrusted to him by the Council to conduct a comprehensive review of the impact of unilateral arbitrary measures on the human rights and humanitarian situation of citizens and residents of the State of Qatar, in accordance with Articles 16 and 18 of UN the General Assembly at its 73rd session adopted on 29 August 2017. Al Marri called on the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to work to enable victims to the right to litigation and recourse to the courts on the States of the blockade to restore their rights. While Dr. Ali bin Samikh called on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take urgent action to address the violations and the foundations of the report of the UN technical mission, which visited Qatar in December 2017.

Al Marri also welcomed Qatar’s complaint before the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the complaint before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine the UAE’s international responsibility and compensation for victims in accordance with article 22 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Qatari government also called for intensive diplomatic action to seek a resolution from the UN General Assembly requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the illegality of arbitrary unilateral measures taken by the countries of the blockade. Al-Marri stressed the importance of prosecuting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the State of Qatar and those affected by the politicization of religious rituals, violation of the right to worship and prevention of pilgrims from the State of Qatar to exercise their right; pointing out that the NHRC will provide all means of legal support for this purpose to address the psychological damage to individuals and material losses to the offices of Hajj and Umrah campaigns.

Dr. Al-Marri during the press conference discussed the repercussions of the violations after a year of the blockade of Qatar; pointing out that the National Human Rights Committee issued its annual report after a year of the blockade and confirmed the continuity of the violations so far and that the victims still suffer in silence despite all the statements issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the calls and urgent appeals issued by 7 special rapporteurs including the special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and the Special Rapporteur on The right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

The chairman of the National Human Rights Committee said: Despite the report of the technical mission of the High Commissioner visited Qatar, as well as the European Parliament’s decision and reports and statements of condemnation from international organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are still intransigent and ignore these calls. Al Marri pointed out that during the year of the blockade, the NHRC monitored 4105 complaints, which included 12 kinds of violations, namely: the right to movement, the right to reside, the right to family reunification, the right to health and the right to work, the right to practice religious rites, Property, the right to litigation, the right to freedom of expression, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, the right to be free from hate speech and incitement; “These violations continue to be a major challenge for the international community and it is time to move from condemnation to legal action to hold those countries accountable for their crimes,” he said. It is unreasonable for members of the Human Rights Council, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to besiege an entire people and inflict collective punishment in full view of the Human Rights Council and the international community. Al-Marri added: “As human rights organizations and human rights advocates, we cannot be silent and let these countries violate their obligations and tamper with international conventions and charters of human rights. This is a flagrant violation not only against the State of Qatar but also international law and the principles of the United Nations”. Al Marri pointed out that since the beginning of the blockade, these countries have built their strategy to deny violations and to question all international statements and reports, this even reached to the limit of the accusation of the High Commissioner and the long-standing organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as belonging and funded by the State of Qatar; and unfortunately these countries are members of the Human Rights Council. Al Marri also said that the countries of the blockade have tried during the blockade crisis and after the failure of the policy of denial and treachery, which was followed by other tricks that inspired the international community to establish national mechanisms for committees and hotlines to deal with emergency humanitarian situations with mechanisms that lack credibility and seriousness in finding a solution to the violations resulting from the blockade.

The Chairman of the NHRC stated that one of the most important conclusions of the report of the National Committee was that the unilateral measures taken by the blockading States caused a wide range of violations of human rights including civil, political, economic, social and cultural, and that the actions taken by States amount to the crime of aggression. It also punishes citizens and residents of the State of Qatar and the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and has been used as a tool for political pressure and a means of managing political disputes, amounting to collective punishment of individuals. These measures are illegal and discriminatory, amounting to the crime of racism and its purpose in the economic, commercial and investment fields is targeting and striking the infrastructure of Qatar’s national economy and damaging the economic rights of individuals and communities in a critical precedent that amounts to the crime of aggression and economic war.

Al-Marri said: “The findings of the annual report of the blockading violations on Qatar confirmed that there is no response from the countries of the blockade to address and stop the escalating violations and that the continuation of the tragedy of the dispersed families will greatly disrupt the social fabric of the Gulf and exacerbate the suffering of women and children in violation of The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.” Al Marri added that our presence in this international forum is to convey the suffering of children, women, people with disabilities and workers affected by the blockade and to address the free world for more pressure on these countries. In response to a question about the nature of the complaint submitted by the State of Qatar to the International Court of Justice, Al-Marri said: “The decisions of the International Court of Justice are mandatory and the Security Council may intervene to implement them.”

Regarding the complaint, Al-Marri explained that the first stage for the court is to demand that the UAE stop the violations as a precautionary or preventive measure especially for serious cases. The next stage is to look into the issue of the complaint and to decide on it and to approve the compensation. The court may agree on the amount of compensation. He said: I repeat here that the action taken by Qatar against the UAE before the International Court of Justice was done in accordance with Article 22 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination which was not reserved by the UAE unlike other countries of the blockade. The Charter of the United Nations also gives the right to complain Before the International Court of Justice, but with the consent of other States. Al-Marri said: “We are now exploring and studying all other international procedures and agreements to try and hold accountable the countries of the blockade. The International Court of Justice has a second competence to provide advisory opinions, which are not binding, but constitute an important and reliable rule of law in initiate complaints and issuing international resolutions. The General Assembly, the Security Council and specialized international agencies determined by the Court may request an advisory opinion from International Court of Justice. Al Marri called on the Government of Qatar to intensify diplomatic efforts to issue a resolution of the General Assembly requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the illegality of unilateral measures taken by the blockading states. At the end of the press conference, Al Marri extended his thanks to the High Commissioner for Human Rights for all his efforts to solve the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade crisis and its efforts in addressing cases of violations in the world.

International organizations are required to make considerable moves far more than just condemnation and denunciation

The State of Qatar’s move to prosecute the UAE is important and practical in order to expedite the lifting of the injustice and redress for the victims of the blockade

Saudi authorities continue to violate the right to religious practice

Dispersal of families is a new violation added to the record of racist acts in the history of mankind

International organizations are required to perform greater roles with the force of law to put pressure on the blockading countries to fulfil their international obligations

The position of Prince Zeid bin Raad have been characterized by neutrality and movement for human rights in the Gulf crisis

Geneva: 18-19 June 2018

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human rights Committee, called on the United Nations, international organizations and parliaments to expediting holding the countries of the blockade accountable for the humanitarian violations and called for accelerating the process of redress for the victims of the blockade on Qatar. The State of Qatar is taking legal action against the United Arab Emirates before the Court of Justice for its continuing violations of human rights against the State of Qatar and its citizens. The International Court of Justice calls on the UAE to fulfil its obligations under international laws and take immediate action to protect Qataris from any future damage that cannot be repaired.

This was followed by a series of meetings held yesterday with Prince Zeid Ra’ad Ra’ad, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Beatrice Chamorro, President of the Special Procedures, Mr. Valentin Zell Weiger, Swiss Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mr. Karl Haligard, Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations. While Dr. Al-Marri expressed his thanks to Prince Zeid bin Raad, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for his great efforts during his term of office which is due to end next August, praising the great role he played to promote and protect human rights in the world and the Arab region; pointing out that the High Commissioner faced many difficulties in complete independence and credibility.

Al Marri handed over to The High Commissioner for Human Rights the report of the National Human Rights Committee, documenting general violations of the blockade, including the denial of thousands of citizens and residents of the State of Qatar to perform the age of the month of Ramadan and stopped electronic registration for those wishing to perform Hajj for the season.

Ali bin Smaikh called for the need for urgent intervention by the international community to resolve the Gulf crisis, which with no doubt affect human rights. He said that we renew our call for the importance of neutralize the rights of communities and individuals from political disputes, pointing out that international organizations are required to play greater roles and deal with the force of law to put pressure on the blockading countries to fulfil their international obligations. there should be more steps than just condemning those practices that all the missions of international organizations and parliaments that visited the State of Qatar during a year of blocked have unanimously stood out as arbitrary unilateral actions and gross violations of human rights.