The principle of non-impunity shall be raised for the first time at an international conference in Doha

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh:

Achieving the principle of non-impunity is the only guarantee for the achievement of international peace and security

It’s time to end impunity and ensure redress for victims

The conference examines the development of accountability and protection against impunity mechanisms

Equity of victims is the most important condition for the success of transitional justice

Achieving justice and ensuring redress for victims is the dream of the world since the First World War

The conference discusses the right to know, access to justice and provide guarantees for non- recurrence of violations

Participation of the European Parliament and the High Commission comes as a guarantee for the conclusion and implementation of important recommendations

Significant international and regional response and participation of representatives of more than 250 governmental and non-governmental organizations

We urgently need to find an integrated system of laws and mechanisms for the prevention, control and accountability in the field of human rights and international human law

Geneva: 2 March 2019

Dr. Ali Bin Samih Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, announced the organization of an international conference on “National, Regional and International Mechanisms to Combat Impunity and Ensure Accountability under International Law” during the period from 14 to 15 April in Doha, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the European Parliament.

The conference aims at discussing international, regional and national mechanisms to combat impunity for gross violations of human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Towards this end, the conference will take stock of the relevant international law principles, in particular the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, and the Updated Set of Principles for the protection and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity. The conference will discuss how these principles are being applied by sharing experience of international, regional and national mechanisms, in advancing these principles and in enhancing accountability.

The conference will bring together more than 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations, heads and experts of international commissions of inquiry, relevant special rapporteurs, chairpersons of United Nations treaty bodies, experts and judges in international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court, as well as experts and lawyers who have brought criminal cases before national courts based on universal jurisdiction. Furthermore, representatives of specialized international agencies and Regional human rights mechanisms, chairpersons of the European Parliament, national human rights institutions, research centers, and other relevant bodies and organizations will be invited.
The importance of the conference and its objectives

Conference Themes

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri said that one of the most important topics of the conference is the duty to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of violations and the right of ensure redress for the victims, as well as the right to know, the right to justice and the right to compensation.
The conference will also discuss international, regional and national mechanisms to combat impunity in cases of gross violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law. The Conference will review the relevant principles of international law, in particular the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Putting an end to impunity. achieve peace and security

“The recent events, conflicts, crises and conflicts in the world and our Arab region have proven the nee to develop international accountability mechanisms for governments, groups and individuals,” said Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh, adding that it is time to review, assess and develop all national, regional and international mechanisms, to guarantee an important principle in international conventions, that is protection against impunity. Ending impunity is the only way to achieve peace and security in the world and to redress the victims, which is the most important reason for the success of transitional justice. It is time to define international and criminal responsibilities, in accordance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Despite the failures and successes, we need to work together to create an integrated system of laws, mechanisms for prevention, control and accountability in the field of human rights and international law.

Qaoud: Workshop participants enjoy a high degree of awareness

Doha, February 27, 2019

The National Human Rights Committee concluded the workshop, organized in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Training and Documentation of Human Rights in South-West Asia and the Arab Region, on Qatar’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Hilton, Doha, Qatar.

Following the honoring of the participants and the distribution of certificates, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Moghassib, member of the National Human Rights Committee, said in a press statement: Qatar’s accession to the two covenants constitutes an advanced step forward in the field of the State’s concern to protect and promote human rights and preserve the rights of citizens and residents on its territory, noting that the two international covenants enjoyed a distinguished place in international human rights law, their texts contributed to the development of human rights standards and formed the basis for the adoption of a number of subsequent human rights conventions, such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Inhuman or degrading treatment, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, stressing that there are many jurisprudential and judicial jurisprudence have relied on the provisions of the Covenants, and the development and establishment of a regional human rights systems.

For his part, Mr. Alaa Qaoud, Deputy head of the United Nations Office for Training and Documentation said that the workshop was part of the joint cooperation between the National Human Rights committee and the United Nations Office for Training and Documentation and aims to raise awareness and education for employees of government authorities on the rights contained in the International Covenants. The workshop will be followed by a serious of workshops on how to prepare reports for the committees concerned.

Qa’ud said that the National Human Rights Committee has published a simplified version of the two covenants in pamphlets. The participants’ interaction was very high, pointing out that this workshop is a first step in the process of raising awareness on the guarantees contained in the two international covenants. What’s special about this workshop is the representation from various governmental authorities, and other associations and organizations concerned.

Doha, February 25, 2019

Ms. Maryam al Attiyah, secretary General of the NHRC The State of Qatar described Qatar’s accession to the International Covenants on Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as an important step in promoting human rights and promoting Qatar’s sustainable development and its national vision 2030 in all its economic, social and political dimensions.

This came during her opening speech to the workshop organized by the National Human Rights Committee and the United Nations Center for Human Rights Training and Documentation for South-West Asia and the Arab Region on Qatar’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, at the Hilton Hotel from 25 to 27 of this month. Ms. Maryam Bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah stressed that the International Covenants have the power of laws for all governments that have ratified them.

Al-Attiyah explained that the workshop aims at defining the implications of Qatar’s accession to the two Covenants, as well as the role of the National Human Rights Committee and civil society organizations in protecting and promoting the rights enshrined in the Covenants. The Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee said that the organization of the workshop comes in the framework of the ongoing cooperation between the National Human Rights Committee and the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, with the participation of a wide range of representatives from government authorities or civil society organizations, pointing out that this active participation reflects the keenness of all components of the State to disseminate the culture of human rights and the promotion and protection of those rights.

Mr. Alaa Kaoud, Deputy Director of the United Nations Center for Human Rights Training and Documentation for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, discussed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Rights and guarantees covered by the Covenants. The workshop will include a number of working groups aimed at raising participants’ awareness of the content of the two Covenants. The agenda of the workshop includes a general introduction to the international human rights and obligations system, as well as a presentation on the international human rights treaties. Participants also review the role of national institutions in protecting the rights set forth in the two Covenants, and the general framework of the obligations of State parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights including the right to vote, the right to liberty and security of person, and freedom of opinion and expression. The agenda also addresses equality and non-discrimination in the rights set forth in the International Covenants.

Doha, February 25, 2019

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee met in his office at the Committee’s headquarters with Ms. Deika Haji, Minister of Women and Human Rights in the Republic of Somalia, who is currently visiting the state. The meeting discussed means of cooperation on issues of mutual interest and activating mechanisms for exchanging experiences and experiences in the field of human rights.

Doha, February 24

As part of its mission to spread and establish a culture of human rights, the National Human Rights Committee presented an educational lecture to the assistant judges of the Court of Cassation on its role in the dissemination, protection and promotion of human rights as well as the vision and mission of the Committee. The Committee emphasized that one of its most important objectives is investigating violations of human rights of citizens, residents and all those subject to the jurisdiction of the State of Qatar, providing advice and opinion on human rights issues to the concerned authorities, submitting proposals on existing legislation and draft laws and their compatibility with the provisions of international human rights conventions to which the State party, receiving complaints and petitions on human rights issues, as well as conducting field visits to penal institutions and correctional and detention places and gatherings of labor, health and education facilities.

The Committee explained that the Qatari legislator has set its terms of reference under Decree-Law No. 38 of 2002 in article 2, which stipulates that the Committee aims to protect human rights and freedoms. The protection aspect of the mandate requires that the NHRI should have the power to investigate and monitor human rights and, in many cases, to accept and investigate individual complaints. In this regard, it exercises a set of competencies, including investigation of abuses of human rights and freedoms, if any, suggesting ways of addressing them and avoiding their recurrence, And coordinating with the relevant authorities to respond to them, As well as contributing to the preparation of reports prepared by the State on human rights and freedoms and Cooperation with international and regional organizations concerned with the protection of human rights and freedoms, and the promotion of awareness and education on human rights and freedoms

We call on the European Parliament to dispatch a fact-finding committee on the fate of the forcibly disappeared Qataris in Saudi Arabia

MP Isabella de Monti: Silence is no longer possible … and we will immediately move to help the victims

Members of the European Parliament affirm their readiness to take effective measures to demand the lifting of the blockade and support the victims and a common European position against violations committed against civilians

Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament, called for dispatching a fact-finding committee to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reveal the fate of the three Qatari nationals who have been forcibly disappeared since the imposition of the blockade on Qatar on 5 June 2017; calling on the Government of the State of Qatar to take all legal and judicial mechanisms to follow up on the fate of the forcibly disappeared citizens and to demand their immediate release and to address the Security Council to file a complaint about the failure of the UAE to comply with the precautionary decision of the International Court of Justice.

Ms. Isabella de Monti, a member of the European Parliament, said that it is no longer possible to remain silent on the violations of human rights due to the blockade imposed on Qatar, stressing that the European Parliament will move immediately and take effective measures to help those affected by human rights violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar.

This came during the second seminar of its kind, held by the European Parliament within two days, in a series of meetings scheduled to hear live testimonies of the victims of the blockade of Qatar in the presence of HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, including Dr. Wafaa Yazidi, one of the victims of family dispersion, and Ms. Jouhar Mohammed Al-Mir, who was expelled from the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi.The seminar was moderated by Ms. Isabella de Monte, MP of the European Parliament, a number of deputies from various parliamentary committees, Mr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Belgium, as well as human rights activists and representatives of international media.

Al Marri: European Parliament hearings are an important step to redress victims

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri highlighted the importance of the initiative of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament to hold a series of seminars to listen directly to the victims of the blockade and to try to understand their suffering for more than 20 months. Al Marri also praised the move of The Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the Arabian Peninsula (CDHRAP) and its awareness of the delay in addressing the appeals of those affected by the crisis, praising at the same time the size of the remarkable attendance witnessed by the hearing – the first of its kind – hosted by the European Parliament by MPs and international media. “Holding hearings for the victims of the blockade is an important step to redress victims affected by the violations and the suffering they have been facing for more than a year and a half. Today, we will hear about the suffering of the Qatari citizens, including the suffering of the three Qatari citizens who have disappeared forcibly since the beginning of the blockade of Qatar. Nothing is known about their whereabouts. All the efforts and moves of the NHRC have not been successful. We call upon the European Parliamentarians to dispatch a fact finding committee to investigate the fate of the three Qatari citizens and their whereabouts, and we call on the Saudi authorities to release them immediately. The National Human Rights Committee has provided all the information requested by the relevant UN mechanisms about the victims of forced disappearance and arbitrary detention, and we are in constant contact with the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances. We will follow up on our movements with various international legal and judicial bodies to hold Saudi Arabia accountable, define their international responsibilities and call on the immediate release of Qatari nationals; victims of enforced disappearance. We hold The Saudi authorities legally responsible for the fate of the three Qatari citizens and the psychological and physical damage they suffer as a result of their arbitrary detention, in flagrant violation of the provisions of international law, international covenants and human rights conventions. It is no longer acceptable to remain silent about the Saudi human rights violations, which are causing outrage to human rights organizations around the world”, Al Marri said.

Qatari ambassador in Brussels: We have heard terrible stories. It is time to stop the suffering of the victims

HE Mr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Belgium, affirmed that the European Parliament held a series of meetings with the victims of the blockade, which will contribute to a real understanding of the reality of the blockade crisis and the suffering suffered by thousands of citizens and residents in Qatar. The Ambassador said that the hearing held by the European Parliament has made many MPs and parliamentarians say that they were shocked by what they heard directly from the victims.

Dr. Wafaa Yazidi to the European Parliament: Do something .. But do not stay silent

Dr. Wafaa Yazidi said I did not imagine that we would live in bondage again in the 21st century. I came to the European Parliament because my children were raised here in Europe and learned freedom and human rights, I appeal to you to move to stop the tragedy. The European Parliament cannot remain silent; why do not you facilitate the renewal of passports for Bahrainis in Qatar? I will not allow my children to travel to renew their passports, because they will arrest them and not allow them to return back. I am not fully convinced that there are solutions, because the crisis is getting harder day by day. I will not forgive them for what they did to me and my children. We must keep children away from political conflicts.”

Ms. Jawahar al-Mir: The countries of the blockade punished the peoples with their decisions

The Qatari student Jawaher Mohammed Al Meer said “We want answers … there is no security in the absence of an embassy for my country in Abu Dhabi, they tend to punish the people with their decisions and did not punish the government of Qatar as they claim. Thank God, I have succeeded in raising the challenge, and I have continued my life, we are not victims, but heroes, because my country stood with me and supported me.”

European Parliamentarians: We will move to lift the blockade .. silence is no longer acceptable

The European Parliamentarians confirmed their willingness to move immediately to take effective measures to stop the suffering of the victims of the blockade, pointing out that the hearings of the victims made them understand the truth of what happened. Ms. Isabella de Monti, a member of the European Parliament, said “the human rights violations resulting from the blockade on Qatar can no longer be tolerated. The European Parliament will act immediately and take effective measures to help victims of human rights violations resulting from the blockade. Now we have a greater understanding of what is happening in Qatar, I appreciate the courage of Dr. Wafaa Yazidi, who is struggling to travel despite her illness to speak about her suffering in the European Parliament. I am fully prepared to coordinate among the various committees in the European Union and immediately take measures to support the victims and to adopt a unified position against violations committed against civilians. An European Parliamentarian said that he is shocked by what he heard from the victims, and is ready to work with other Parliamentarians to support Qatar, and put pressure on the blockading countries to lift the blockade. He commented on the suffering of the victims of the blockade, saying: “British laws punish those who leave a dog outside the car, let alone actions that cause the dispersion of families. What I hear today is very sad and unacceptable. though Abu Dhabi does respect international humanitarian law and the decisions of the International Court of Justice; it should support you to restore your rights rather than depriving families of their reunion.

Saudi obstacles prevent Qataris from Hajj and Umrah for the third consecutive season

Saudi Arabia’s claim to establish mechanisms to facilitate the pilgrimage is merely a maneuver to procrastinate

We Call on the European Parliament and the governments of the Union to address the Saudi authorities to stop violating the right to perform religious rites

We Call for urgent appeals and recommendations to remove Saudi obstacles to pilgrimage

Racial discrimination due to political disputes is a critical precedent that must be refereed to in United Nations reports

Brussels, 19 February 2019

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, said that the issue of Saudi violations and politicization of religious rituals shall be raised before the European Parliament and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), noting that no positive signs or signs of hope have been recorded, reflecting the willingness of the Saudi authorities to stop their violations and end the obstacles that deprive the citizens and residents of Qatar from performing their religious rituals for the third consecutive year. During his meeting in Brussels with the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU and Commissioner of the European Union for Education, Culture and Youth, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh said that more than 20 months after the blockade imposed on Qatar since June 5, The Saudi authorities have taken no effective or concrete measures to remove the obstacles that have led to the politicization of religious rites after citizens and residents of Qatar have been prevented from performing Hajj and Umrah during the past two seasons, pointing out that “there are no positive signs on the horizon, reassuring the intention of the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to retreat from the intransigence and stirring up the feelings of citizens and residents who were deprived of Hajj and Umrah, under the pretext of political dispute. Al Marri also gave an overview of the psychological and material damage caused by the Saudi authorities to pilgrims and, in addition to the material losses incurred by Hajj and Umrah campaigns.

Al-Marri called on the European Parliament and the governments of the Union countries to hold their moral responsibilities and to address the Saudi authorities about their violations resulting from the denial of the rights of citizens and residents of Qatar In the practice of religious rites, stressing that the need to respect the rights of citizens and residents of the State of Qatar to practice religious rites unconditionally and to overcome all obstacles placed by the Saudi authorities. “The mechanisms that the Saudi Arabian authorities claimed to establish to address the situation of victims affected remain misleading and ambiguous, lacking credibility, and did not address the human rights and humanitarian situation of those affected by the violation of the right to practice religious rites,” Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh said.

Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh also noted the Saudi authorities’ disregard for the reports and statements of the National Human Rights Committee and the calls of the international community, particularly the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which called for an end to the obstacles facing citizens and residents in Qatar in performing their religious rituals. “Despite numerous statements by the National Human Rights Committee, the international reports and organizations and the urgent appeal of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to the authorities of Saudi Arabia, they continue their policy of politicizing religious rituals, and prevent citizens and residents of Qatar from exercising their right to worship and perform religious rites. We know that The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in the United Nations had already addressed Saudi Arabia’s authorities on violations of religious rites; there had been no concrete response from the Saudi side or an end to such violations”, Al Marri said.

February 19, 2019

the eyes of Human rights activists and international human rights organizations are set on the European Parliament, which is expected to hold a historic session with the participation of four victims of blockading countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

At the public meeting of the European Parliament, Qatari national Dr. Wafaa Yazidi, one of the victims of family disintegration, and Qatari student Jouhar Mohammed Al Meer, who was expelled from the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Khadija Genkiz, fiance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and The British student Matthew Hedges, who was imprisoned and tortured in Abu Dhabi and sentenced to life imprisonment before his subsequent release after British authorities intervened, along with Ali al-Aswad, a member of the Bahraini parliament sentenced to life imprisonment.

It is expected that the participants will speak before the European Parliament and the international media about the violations they have been subjected to by the Saudi, UAE and Bahraini authorities, including the testimony of Khadija Genghis about the circumstances of the assassination of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The hearing of the victims of the blockading countries comes just days after the European Parliament unanimously approved the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the black list of countries supporting terrorism. The victims are expected to meet with Mr. Antonio Tiani, President of the European Parliament, Mr. Antonio Panzieri, Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights of the European Parliament and Ms. Michele Alliot-Marie, Chairman of the Committee on the Arab Peninsula Affairs of the European Parliament.

President of the Sub-Committee on Human rights of the European Parliament:

– We will spare no effort to lift the blockade on Qatar

– We will not allow the Saudi Crown Prince to cover up the assassination of Khashoggi

– Protecting human rights in the world and the Gulf region is our priority

Alliot-Marie: Al Marri is the initiator of listening to the victims of the blockade in the European Parliament

European Parliamentarians:

– Europe will bear the consequences of violations caused by the blockade of Qatar if we do not move to put an end to it

– The repercussions of the blockade of Qatar are not sufficiently discussed in the European Parliament

– European MPs demand a halt to the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia

– The European Parliament and governments do not take adequate action to protect human rights

– Sanctions are necessary to push Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain to stop their violations

– Human rights should be a priority ahead of the political interests of European States

– EU countries should engage more seriously and express a collective and strong stance against human rights violations

Brussels on 19 February 2019

The European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday witnessed a historic session with a wide presence of EU Parliamentarians and the international media to hear – for the first time – live and shocking testimony presented by 5 people affected by Saudi, UAE and Bahraini violations of human rights, including Dr. Wafaa Al Yazidi, Qatari citizen and victim of family dispersal, Jouhar Mohammed Al Meer, Qatari citizen student who was expelled from the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, Khadija Genghis, fiancé of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated inside the headquarters of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Briton Matthew Hedges, student and academician who was jailed and tortured in Abu Dhabi and sentenced to life imprisonment before being released later following the intervention of the British authorities, along with Ali al-Aswad, a member of the Bahraini parliament sentenced to life imprisonment.

In an open session of the European Parliament, the victims called on EU governments and the European Parliament to adopt stronger and more effective stances to stop the grave human rights violations against citizens and residents of Qatar since the blockade began, as well as the abuses of many citizens held in UAE, Saudi and Bahraini prisons.
President of the Sub-Committee on Human rights of the European Parliament emphasized the commitment of the European Union deputies to defend human rights issues in various countries of the world, including victims of human rights violations resulting from the Gulf crisis, pointing out that the European Parliament will spare no effort To lift the blockade imposed on Qatar, stressing that the European Parliament will not allow Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to cover up the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The hearing witnessed heated and transparent debates in which a number of European parliamentarians called for cessation of arming of Saudi Arabia, pointing out that the European Parliament has voted three times to prevent the sale of arms, but some governments are still making deals with the Saudi regime. The deputies stressed the need to move forward to stop the violations of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, and those resulting from the blockade of Qatar, pointing out that human rights must be defended everywhere, warning that Europe will bear the consequences of violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar if EU does not move to put an end to it, and that the repercussions of the blockade of Qatar is not sufficiently discussed within the European Parliament.

Dr. Wafa Al Yazidi: I have traveled thousands of kilometers to speak about my suffering despite my illness

Dr. Wafaa Al Yazidi barely managed to hold back her tears as she spoke about the great suffering for the first time before the European Parliament. “I have come to tell you the story of my suffering since the beginning of the blockade, I am Qatari, my Bahraini children, and they lived with me in Europe where I was studying and living a quiet life. Europe allowed me to raise my children in humanitarian conditions and freedom of opinion and expression. We lived a normal life free of any barriers due to my nationality as Qatari or their nationality as Bahraini My life has been turned upside down since June 5, 2017, when diplomatic relations with Qatar were cut off. From then on, my life became hell, my children can no longer talk to their family in Bahrain, and all channels of communication are banned, fearing the punishment imposed by the blockading states. If my children express their solidarity with their mother, they would be punished. We are no longer able to travel to the Hajj. We were not allowed to attend the funeral of relatives. My children’s passports shall expire at the end of this year, and I cannot renew their passports. I know another story of a Qatari mother who has an 11-year-old son who went to renew his passport. From his day, he was not allowed to return to his mother for about a year! I am sick, I cannot stop thinking about my family, I always think about my situation, I appeal to all European parliamentarians, especially women who understand my situation and suffering as a divorced woman deprived of her children, to take action to help lift the blockade”, Al Yazidi said.

Student Jouhar Mohammed Al Meer: I did not expect that I would be at the European Parliament to speak about my usurped rights

In her first public appearance, Qatari student Jouhar Mohammed Al Meer spoke of her suffering after being expelled from the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi despite her academic excellence, under the pretext of severing political relations with Qatar! “I always hoped that I would visit to talk about my usurped rights,” she said. Today, I decided to stand here to speak for the first time about my suffering, because I am sure I will find someone who would listen to me, and because I believe that the European Parliament can do something to stop the suffering of thousands of victims like me. My dream came true, and I began to learn French in the French city of Tours to prepare myself for post-graduation studies in the future, and later I decided to move to the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi During the past year, when I finished all my exams, I went to Qatar to spend my vacation and left all my belongings in Abu Dhabi, and I did not expect that I would not be able to return one day. I was with my family and I read on the news on Al Jazeera about severing the diplomatic relations, and I was shocked, because it was a sister country. I contacted the university administration, which responded with an e-mail telling me that I had been transferred to the Sorbonne in Paris. It was true that my dream was to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, and within 20 days I had to move to Paris. I say to the officials in the United Arab Emirates: It is nice that the UAE opens the Sorbonne and the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, but it is more important to bring the civilized values ​​of these prestigious institutions!”

Antonio Benzari: Bin Salman will not be able to keep his crime hidden .. We will work hard to lift the blockade on Qatar

Antonio Benzari, chairman of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament, said parliamentarians are committed to protecting human rights in the world, including the Gulf region.

“Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not be able to keep his crime hidden. We will work hard to lift the blockade on Qatar and we are happy to hold this meeting in the European Parliament and listen to the testimonies of victims and we will always be in the service of human rights” Benzari said.

Michèle Alliot-Marie: Hearing at the initiative of Dr. Ali Bin Smeikh Al Marri

Michèle Alliot-Marie, Chair of DARP Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula of the European Parliament, said at the beginning of the meeting that a hearing for victims of human rights violations resulting from the Gulf crisis came after a visit to the State of Qatar. “After our visit to the region, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri expressed the hope that the victims will be able to speak in the European Parliament about the repercussions of the violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar and welcomed the participation of officials from the blockading countries to enable progress in resolving the crisis. We are always discuss human rights issues in the region, because it is part of our manadate in the European Parliament, especially with respect to the protection of human rights. We are waiting and following with great interest what the victims of human rights violations will say, not what we say. We can not forget what Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi faced. I was the first to demand a decision in the European Parliament to investigate the murder, to know the whole truth.

The repercussions of the humanitarian crisis must be discussed during the regular meetings of the French National Assembly

The strategic dialogue between Qatar and France should be accompanied by an open dialogue for the development of human rights

ongoing Progress in operationalizing a strong partnership with French governmental and non-governmental organizations should focus on promoting human rights

we call on the French government to move to end the politicization of the Sorbonne and the Louvre

We appreciate France’s unwavering commitment to the defense of human rights in various regions of the world

The continuation of the Gulf political crisis can be the basis or pretext fort violations of human rights

Kuwaiti mediation and international diplomatic efforts have not succeeded in deterring the countries of the blockade to stop their violations

Paris, February 14, 2019

Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, called on the French government and parliament to include the violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar on the agenda of meetings of French officials with their counterparts from the countries of the blockade, calling for the establishment of a strong partnership with the National Human Rights Committee to defend and promote human rights in Qatar and the world, in parallel with the strategic dialogue announced between the State of Qatar and the French Republic. This came during the first meeting of Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri, on the occasion of his visit to France, with Mr. Richard Ferran, President of the French National Assembly (Parliament), and Mrs. Nicole Pelopi, Minister of Justice of France.

Al Marri also briefed the French officials on the latest repercussions of the blockade imposed on Qatar and the efforts and moves of the National Human Rights Committee to end the violations that the countries of the blockade continue to commit, pointing out that after June 5, 2017, most of the complaints submitted to the NHRC via hot lines and other means of communication, reported violations by the blockading countries of the rights of citizens and residents in Qatar.

Al Marri also presented a brief description of the human rights situation in the State of Qatar and the latest developments undertaken by the Qatari Government in the area of ​​legislation and reform of laws dealing with workers’ rights and human rights in general, as well as the ratification of the International Covenants on Human Rights.
During his meeting with Mr. Richard Ferran, President of the French National Assembly (Parliament), the chairman of the National Human Rights Committee called on placing the repercussions of the humanitarian crisis during the regular meetings of the French National Assembly.

Al Marri stressed that the continuation of the Gulf political crisis can be the basis or pretext for violations of human rights, and ignoring the continued suffering of thousands of separated families and students expelled from the universities of the blockading countries, because of the discriminatory procedures that affect citizens and residents of Qatar, pointing out that” the Kuwaiti mediation and international diplomatic efforts have not been able so far to deter the countries of the blockade to stop violations of human rights. On the other hand, in his speech with Mrs. Nicole Belloubi, French Minister of Justice, Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh stressed the need to strengthen the partnership between the National Human Rights Committee, the French Ministry of Justice and various French institutions and bodies in the field of human rights. Al Marri praised the launching of the strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and the French Republic, stressing that the ongoing Progress in operationalizing a strong partnership with French governmental and non-governmental organizations should focus on promoting human rights. He stressed the important role that the French government can play in addressing the human rights violations resulting from the Gulf crisis that has been going on for about a year and a half, calling on placing serious violations of human rights in the agenda of meetings held by the government and French officials with the countries of blockade. In this context, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh called for the French government to move to put an end to the politicization of its long-standing institutions of education and culture, citing the expulsion of Qatari students from the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, calling on the French government to take effective action to protect its educational and cultural values, including asking the officials of the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi to redress the Qatari students who were forcibly and arbitrarily expelled under the pretext of a political dispute.