– Europe cannot renege on its principles in protecting the rights of peoples
– Austria’s presidency of the European Union is an opportunity to take stricter positions towards the countries of the blockade
– The EU countries cannot continue to be silent and pursue a policy of “passive neutrality” towards the violations resulting from the blockade
– EU consultations with Qatar should be accompanied by European movements to protect human rights violated by the countries of the blockade
– Human rights should be a priority in any negotiations or economic and investment partnerships with the countries of the blockade
– It is unacceptable that human rights are secondary to any economic or political interests
– Members of the Austrian Parliament were shocked by the violation of human rights by the countries of the blockade under the pretext of a political dispute
Vienna: Friday 6 December 2018
The chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri, called on the EU countries to act vigorously and take stronger measures to put an end to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy caused by the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar 18 months ago. Austria’s current presidency of the European Union is an opportunity to take tougher positions towards the countries of the blockade, stressing that The EU countries cannot continue to be silent and pursue a policy of “passive neutrality” towards the violations resulting from the blockade against citizens and residents of the State of Qatar and deny its principles and commitment to the defense of human rights in various regions of the world. In the Austrian capital of Vienna, the chairman of the National Human Rights Committee held a series of fruitful meetings with officials of the Human Rights Committee of Austrian Parliament and the Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities Department of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
the Austrian parliamentarians are shocked by the serious dimensions of the Gulf crisis
The Austrian parliament witnessed a rich debate with the Human Rights Committee of the National Assembly (Austrian Parliament), which dealt with the issue of the blockade imposed on Qatar since 5 June 2017, during which Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri gave a briefing on the latest human rights violations resulting from the blockade, including the separation between families of the Gulf countries and the denial of right to freedom of movement, treatment and property, and other basic rights, without excluding children and Women and the elderly, in flagrant violation of international conventions and human rights conventions. Al Marri handed over the members of the Commission on Human Rights of the European Parliament for copies of reports prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and periodic reports prepared by the National Human Rights Committee, documenting serious violations of the rights of thousands of citizens and residents of Qatar.
Al-Marri pointed out that the countries of the blockade continue to ignore the international calls of governments and human rights organizations to put an end to the blockade and an end to the punitive measures of the peoples of the Gulf. He pointed out in this context the UAE violations of the decisions of the International Court of Justice.
The chairman of the National Human Rights committee called on the members of the Austrian Parliament to act vigorously to end the unjust blockade and the resulting human rights violations. The members of the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament expressed great interest in learning about the repercussions of the blockade imposed on Qatar and the resulting grave violations of human rights, stressing that they were “shocked” by the serious humanitarian dimensions of the Gulf crisis and by the ” Which found no embarrassment in imposing punitive measures against civilians, deprived of their most important human rights under the pretext of a political dispute with the State of Qatar.
The moral responsibility of Austria, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
On the other hand, during his meeting with officials of the Department of Human Rights and Ethnic Minority Affairs at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the chairman of the National Human Rights Committee appreciated the positions expressed by Austria since the beginning of the crisis and called for dialogue to resolve the Gulf crisis. Speaking to Foreign Ministry officials, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri said, “While we appreciate Austria’s position and its strong defense of human rights, we are confident that its presidency of the current session of the European Union can contribute more closely and effectively to persuading the EU countries to make more powerful decisions to pressure on the countries of the blockade, to respect human rights, regardless of the political dimensions of the Gulf crisis. “The countries of the European Union, which have consistently affirmed their commitment to the principle of defending human rights around the world, cannot continue to be silent when it comes to serious violations of human rights that have – and continue to – violate the rights of thousands of citizens And residents of Qatar and the countries of the blockade, pointing out that the forthcoming dialogue between the Qatari government and the European Union on human rights issues next year is an important step that should be accompanied by European movements towards protecting human rights violated by the blockade imposed on Qatar; while calling on the countries of the Union to hold similar meetings with the blockading countries to question about their human rights violations.
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