Al-Marri calls on the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances and the Working Group on arbitrary detention to dispatch a joint mission to Saudi Arabia to investigate the situation of the detained Qataris in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

We call on the UN to monitoring the implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice by the UAE

Diplomatic missions to the countries of the blockade insist on continued violations before the Human Rights Council

The report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions recognized the violations resulting from the blockade, but did not recognize the extent of the suffering of the victims

Geneva: 14 September 2018

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, called for conduct extensive investigations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE for gross and systematic violations, as well as discriminatory measures taken against Qatari citizens and residents of Qatar. Dr. Al-Marri stressed the importance of monitoring the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice by the UAE authorities to seek redress against acts of racial discrimination through UAE courts and institutions, take all necessary steps to ensure that families separated by the Discriminatory Measures are reunited and to allow Qatari students to complete their education at UAE universities or to obtain their educational records if they wish to continue their studies elsewhere. He stressed that the NHRC in Qatar is working to monitor the enforcement of the decision of the International Court of Justice through its mechanisms, pointing out that the discriminatory measures taken against the Qataris are not limited to the UAE only, but equally in other countries of the blockade. Commenting on the report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions reviewed before the Human Rights Council last Wednesday, Al-Marri said that despite the fact that the report acknowledged in paragraphs 9 and 10 the illegality of the measures taken by the blockading countries and endorsed the positions of the High Commissioner Human rights and recent decisions of the International Court of Justice, as well as its recognition of the persistence of the blockading States in their violations; however, it did not recognize the extent of the suffering of the victims and was not as strict as hoped. Al Marri added: We call on the Special Rapporteur to act urgently and take firmer positions against the countries of the blockade and to visit the State of Qatar and the blockading countries for the grave human rights-related repercussions resulting from the blockade.

This came during a series of intensive meetings held by the chairman of the National Human Rights Committee on the sidelines of the 39th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where Al Marri met with members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Arbitrary Disappearance, and Committee on Enforced Disappearance. Al Marri also met with the head of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Director of the treaty mechanisms of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in addition to a number of permanent delegates to the Human Rights Council and the head of the European mission to the HRC. Al-Marri explained during his meetings the provisional measures of the decision of the International Court of Justice, calling on the United Nations human rights mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the decision by the UAE. During his meeting with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Al-Marri said that the NHRC has been following up the UAE’s compliance with the ICJ’s decisions and called on The Committee on Racial Discrimination to undertake extensive investigations into the discriminatory violations of the United Arab Emirates and the monitoring of the enforcement of the decisions of the International Court of Justice. Al-Marri provided the Commission with reliable information and strong evidence for serious violations and systematic campaigns by Saudi Arabia and other blockading countries against Qatari citizens. Al-Marri called for urgent measures to be taken to investigate the discriminatory practices of the Saudi authorities against Qataris and residents of Qatar. Al Marri called on the United States to monitor violations of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in its report to the Human Rights Council and to appeal urgently to the countries of the blockade to urge them to respect human rights conventions and charters, particularly the recommendations and decisions contained in the six letters of appeal of the Special Rapporteurs of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Al-Marri briefed the cases of obstructing and preventing Qataris from resorting to the courts of the blockading countries, and called for an urgent investigation of the matter and attacks on the independence of the judiciary, lawyers and court officials in the countries of the blockade, especially with regard to resorting to national courts. He also called for the inclusion of such attacks in the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of the judiciary and lawyers before the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly, in addition to presenting a background to the decision of the International Court of Justice on the immediate right to litigation and demanding the monitoring of the UAE’s commitment to these decisions.

During his meeting with a number of members of the Committee on Arbitrary Detention and Forced Disappearance, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri extended thanks to the two Committees for their urgent actions regarding the Qatari nationals detained by the Saudi authorities. However, Al-Marri stressed that the Saudi authorities have not yet released the detainees or allowed to connect with them. Al-Marri called for the importance of dispatching a joint mission by the Committee for Arbitrary Detention and Forced Disappearance to Saudi Arabia to understand the root causes of arbitrary deprivation of liberty and forced disappearance of Qatari nationals. Al-Marri said that Qataris are subject to these illegal measures if they enter Saudi Arabia if they are allowed to enter. The findings of the UN technical mission report should be included in the Commission’s annual report to the Human Rights Council.

In the same context, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh met with a number of permanent delegates to some of the Member States of the Human Rights Council and met with the Head of the European Delegation to the Council. During these meetings, Al-Marri discussed the latest human rights violations resulting from the blockade on Qatar and gave them a background on the legal moves of the NNRC along with the decision of the International Court of Justice and demanded that they take strict positions in the Human Rights Council against the violations of the countries of the blockade. Al-Marri said such statements are evidence and proof of their rejection of all calls, statements and reports issued by the United Nations confirming the intention of the blockading countries to continue their violations and ignore the international human rights system.

With the participation of more than 120 organizations, 250 participants, observers and UNESCO member states

At the first international conference organized by human rights in Tunisia .. two opening speeches by Al Marri in two themes of the conference

The conference marks the 9th International NGO Forum of UNESCO’s Official Partners

Doha: September 9, 2018

The NHRC participated in the organization of an international conference in Tunisia on peace issues. It is the first conference of its kind organized by the NHRC in Tunisia, in cooperation with the Arab Institute for Human Rights, with the participation of more than 120 organizations, 250 participants, observers and UNESCO member states as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and World Peace Day. The proceedings of the International Conference will continue for four days during the period from 26 to 29 of this month. On the sidelines of the conference, UNESCO will host the Ninth International NGO Forum of UNESCO’s Official Partner, entitled “Another Perspective on Migration” on 26-27 September. The International NGO Forum, which meets twice a year, will include all NGO partners And many observers, as well as the presence of a large number of member states of UNESCO.

Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, will deliver his opening speech on the theme of “Unmanned Aeronautics and Robotics in the Service of Peace”, as well as the opening remarks of the NGO Liaison Committee of UNESCO, UNESCO and the Arab Institute for Human Rights. The first roundtable on “Today’s Peace” will be chaired by Mr. Kamal Jendoubi (Chairman of the UN Panel of International and Regional Experts on Human Rights Violations in Yemen) and will include interventions by UNESCO, the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, Carnegie). The second session will discuss the “Artificial Intelligence of Robotics and the Philosophy of Ethics” while the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar will chair the final dialogue between experts and attendees to discuss the recommendations of the first program of work of the Conference.

Dr. Ali Bin Smeikh will present the opening speech of the second theme of the conference (Action for Equality). The opening ceremony will be attended by UNESCO’s NGO liaison committee, UNESCO and the Arab Institute for Human Rights. Mr. Mohamed El Nsour, Head of the Middle East and North Africa division of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, shall present a working paper under the title “The major challenges facing human rights today: thinking about inequality”. The second Round Table is entitled “Working to promote integration, equality and non-discrimination for humans”. Inclusive rights, shared responsibility and education on human rights are discussed as an instrument against discrimination as well as equality, justice and freedom to combat violence and maintain peace. The third roundtable (Action for Equality and Non-Discrimination: Tools and Prospects: Media, Information Technology and New Communication Tools – Arts and Culture – Education) is chaired by Fafa Bin Zerrougui, President of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions. Mr. Nasser Hammoud Al-Kerween, Secretary-General of the Arab Lawyers Union, will preside over the general conclusions of the conference.

The participation of the National Human Rights Committee is part of its strategy and partnerships with regional and international organizations to spread the principles of peace, tolerance, violence, extremism and human rights education. The NHRC also has a strong partnership with UNESCO. The National Human Rights Committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Institute for Human Rights, which has been awarded the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education.

(Text of the Statement)

The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar welcomes the draft legislation issued by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on 4 September 2018, confirming the continuation of efforts to consolidate the foundations of state institutions, rule of law and human rights.

The NHRC appreciates these reform steps, namely the issuance of Decree Nos. 40 and 41 of 2018 on the accession of the State of Qatar to the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which has the power of law in accordance with article 68 of the Constitution, which represents a well-founded international legitimacy that includes all human rights based provisions in general, and a positive indicator of its position in the realization and implementation of human rights.

The NHRC also applauds the amendment of some provisions of Law No. 21 of 2015, regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residence under Law No. 13 of 2018, guaranteeing the right of expatriates under the Labor Law No. 14 of 2004 to temporary exit or final departure without any restrictions, which promotes and protects the right to freedom of movement and travel.

The NHRC commends the qualitative leap in enshrining the right to residency in the State of Qatar, including the promulgation of Law No. 10 of 2018 on Permanent Residence, which is considered a legislative step forward that consolidates the progress in the field of human rights in the State of Qatar. This new law shall grant those who meet the conditions set out in its provisions a number of rights and privileges and treatment as citizens in a number of areas.

The NHRC also commends the issuance of Law No. 11 of 2018 regulating political asylum, which comes in fulfillment of Article 58 of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar guaranteeing the right to political asylum; which is considered an important precedent that puts Qatar at the forefront of the countries in the Gulf region, the Arab region and the Middle East.

The NHRC affirms that all these reform steps come in conformity with the its recommendations included in its previous annual reports, and represent a strong response and support to the NHRC in performing its functions and mandate in the promotion and protection of human rights in the State of Qatar. The NHRC looks forward to continuing and achieving further reform steps in the field of human rights in the light of what has been recommended by the Committee in its various reports and as commensurate with the position of the State of Qatar at the international and regional levels.

25 Dhul-Hijjah 1439
5 September 2018
Doha, Qatar

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September 3, 2018

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee met at his office at the Committee’s headquarters with Mr. Rudrich Kieszy, Member of the German Parliament; Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union Party of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs. The meeting discussed ways of cooperation in issues of common concern and exchanging experiences and expertise.

The NHRC deplores the use by the UAE of espionage programs against Qatari political figures, human rights advocates and journalists

the NHRC confirms their continued prosecution in coordination with international organizations and mechanisms and lawyers

Coordination with those affected by UAE violations to provide necessary legal support

The National Human Rights Committee of Qatar has provided the necessary support to the Qatari victims affected by the use of espionage programs used by the United Arab Emirates who have filed lawsuits against NSO, as well as against the UAE authorities, which have blatantly violated the right to privacy of human rights advocates and journalists, which represents a crime punishable by law. the NHRC received in March the complaints of those affected in this case and provided legal support to raise cases with the competent authorities in the Republic of Cyprus.

In the same context, the NHRC affirmed its continued pursuit of the perpetrators of such violations in coordination with international lawyers, organizations and mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and others.

The NHRC denounced the violations by the United Arab Emirates of the right to privacy by using Israeli espionage programs more than a year ago.

The National Human Rights Committee said that according to e-mail messages leaked on Thursday in cases filed against NSO (which is one of the largest and most famous companies in the development of spyware on smart phones), that officials in the UAE tried to record calls on the phones of political figures, media and human rights activists in Qatar.

The National Human Rights Committee in Qatar considered that these practices constitute a flagrant violation of the right to privacy and a clear targeting of media and human rights activists. It is also part of the blockade and human rights violations practiced by the countries of the blockade for more than a year.

The NHRC condemns these practices and violations as a whole, and considered them to be another decline in the value system, in contradiction with the concepts of fraternity and good neighborliness.

Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Qatar v. United Arab Emirates)

APPLICATION DE LA CONVENTION INTERNATIONALE SUR L’ÉLIMINATION DE TOUTES LES FORMES DE DISCRIMINATION RACIALE (QATAR c. ÉMIRATS ARABES UNIS) FR

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.”